Louisiana Cajun Wedding Traditions

When it comes to tradition, weddings take the cake. The style of dress, the order of the ceremony, the venue, even the reception, is largely steeped in tradition. These traditions are usually passed down from our parents, grandparents, culture, and even the book of etiquette. If there is any culture that emphasizes tradition it has to be Cajuns, who thrive in a traditional environment, which makes family and a good time the center of any event. Nevertheless, when it comes to weddings, Cajuns have their unique traditions, and Louisiana wedding venues are perfect for engaging in those traditions. Cajuns understand the sanctity of a marriage ceremony as an official ceremony happening before a priest that came every few months. Before the oil boom of the 1930s, couples would have to travel to a large city or wait for a traveling priest to come to a nearby town to have an official ceremony. Many brides and grooms became impatient, so to substitute for an official ceremony, the families of the bride and groom would hold a broom for the couple to jump over to authorize their marriage. Even though couples jumped the broom and celebrated their marriage, they always made their marriage official before a priest.

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After the ceremony is complete, it is time for the real Cajun spirit to come alive in the reception. When the bride and groom enter, they have the wedding march, or “La Bal de Noce,” where the bride and groom march around the dance floor until everyone has joined, and then the couple shares in their first dance. If guests want a dance with the bride and groom, they must pin money to the bride’s veil or the groom’s suit, which is great way to ensure the couple will have the finances to start their new life together. Many Louisiana wedding venues are very conducive to this tradition. Guests are encouraged to toast the couple and sing French songs. Many of these songs address weddings, marriage troubles and the overall bitter-sweetness of marriage. The wedding dinner has traditional Cajun food, gumbo, catfish, and home-style cooking. One Cajun tradition that has become popular is a groom’s cake. The original tradition holds that the groom’s cake is chocolate and the groom’s grandfather or godfather must cut the cake.

Cajuns understand the value of tradition, which is bringing families together and having a good time. If you are a Louisiana native or a bride that has fallen in love with Louisiana wedding venues, you will be impressed with the hospitality and traditions of the Cajun people.