Weddings in Oceania
Oceania weddings are the weddings celebrated in Australia and New Zealand, the two liveliest countries. There is a great excitement and attraction in the wedding ceremonies here. Both these countries are a member of British Commonwealth so follow the traditions of Great Britain, even though there is mixture of ancestral rituals and modern traditions here.
Traditional instruments are played along with the demonstrations of tribal warriors.
Wedding Traditions of Australia
The aboriginal customs are followed with the British customs during the wedding in Australia. Bible is the most important part of the wedding which is passed from the mother to her daughter or the father to his son. The Scottish and Irish traditions are also included in the Australian wedding ceremony. Also, the aboriginal musical instrument called as “didgeridoo” is played during the ceremony.
Wedding Traditions of New Zealand
New Zealand’s wedding tradition follows lavish church wedding. The bride is dressed in white gown and bridesmaids are dressed in other beautiful dresses. It is the custom in New Zealand that the groom should not see the bride in her bridal dress before wedding. It is considered as a bad luck if the groom sees the bride before marriage ceremony. The groom wears a white shirt with a dark coat and a dark pant. The groomsmen are also dressed well and flank the groom. Maori are the natives of New Zealand so Maori traditions are followed during the wedding here.
Wedding Traditions of Maori
The “Powhiri” tradition of Maori welcomes the bride and the groom with the warrior challenge custom. The Maori tribal leader who is the eldest person blesses the couple after the wedding. In Maori weddings, the bride and groom are made to wear infinity loops around their necks. The infinity loops are an indication of eternal love between the groom and the bride.
Wedding is the celebration of love and lifelong togetherness which does not matter with what traditions and rituals are followed. The Oceania wedding traditions are a mixture of new and ancient cultures which together make the wedding unique and auspicious.