The wedding is going to be a real mix of traditions from France and Denmark. So we thought we would let you know about some of the things that are said (by experts of course:)) about our two cultures, some of these traditions so that you can be ready to party!

Click here to go directly to the section you need: about French people, about Danish people, French wedding traditions, Danish wedding traditions

Our cultures

Troels´ mum and dad, Hanne & Steffen got us some of the most useful books: the Xenophobe´s guide to the Danes for me, and the Xenophobe&s guide to the French for Troels. Obviously they must have noticed we were struggling with our cultural differences :) So, we thought we might as well share some of what the experts say about the French and the Danes with you!

About French people

What you put in the plate and glass of a French person pretty much summs up what is important in the life of French people:)
French people love ideas, concepts, innovations -playing around with things, like democracy, railway systems, architecture
However, are French people ever not on strike to get around those great "idées"?????
French people are said by other countries in the world not to be too big on hygene - the women don´t shave, people shower once a month and use cologne instead to cover up the smell. Hehe. Right?:) hehe don´t take it personally ;)
Some of the things France is rather famous for: eating snails & frog legs, fashion, the movie "Amélie", the Eiffel tower, etc

About Danish people

Good luck finding Vikings in Denmark today :) Danes are a peaceble people, very patient and tolerant. The only helmeted warriors left are bikers.
However, do not find yourself calling them "Swedish" - their fighting instincts will come back immediately!
Their language is unlearnable :D
There is really only one thing that Danes may envy other nations: warmer winters
Some of the things Denmark is rather famous for: LEGOs, bacon, the Carlsberg beers, The Little Mairmaid (in Copenhagen), Hans Andersen´s stories, among other things

French Wedding Traditions

Pre-wedding fun

Burrying the Bachelors´ life

One of the main pre-wedding traditions in Audrey´s regions it to burry the bachelors´ life.....litterally :) During a party thrown by/for the couple at some point before the wedding, guests are asked to each bring a bottle of wine. Sometime during the night, the guests Each person will usually writes a personal note on the bottle they brought, and then pu it in a coffin that was made for the occasion (usually by the groom, or family) -and sometimes other "souvenirs" from the night also make it in the coffin. The couple has to digg (oh fun!) a whole usually, usually in the bride´s parents´ backyard. The coffin is then only to be brought back up when the couple has its first child. The couple will then invite all the people present at the burrying party, and celebrate the birth with the wine that was burried at their wedding:)

Bells and Whistles

Also, often on the wedding night, friends of each side gather and bang pots and pans (traditional) or can also use small fireworks right outside of their windows, to wish them long time joy and happiness (uh uh, thanks for the shortened night of sleep :D)

The Day of the wedding

The "Broom-car" (la Voiture Balai)

The day of the wedding you might see a very strange car. Decorated with ballons and other bright things, making a lot of noise, and with a couple brooms attached to the car. This car is called the "voiture balai" in French -translated as "broom car". The purpose of this car if to close the processions of cars when the guests travel from one location of the wedding to another. It sort of swips the last guests, and makes sure nobody is left behind :)

The Dance of the Umbrella

At the reception, the bride and the groom start dancing under a white umbrella. Friends and family gather around the couple and starts throwing colorfull rubans over the umbrella as the couple is dancing. By the end of the song, the couple is surrounded by the rubans, hidden away from the people around them:) This dance symbolizes the couple being protected from external aggressions by their love.

The "Rôtie"

After the newly weds have left the party and gone to bad, the guests catch them with one last traditional. They prepare what is called in Audrey´s region "la rôtie"". The guest of the wedding prepare a mixture, the ingredients varying depending on the tastes and regions. There are often bananas, chocolate, various alcohols, spices, bread ... sometimes toilet paper! The guests the "surprise" the couple in the early hours of the morning after the wedding with the "Rôtie". The bride eats it first and then the groom, and then all the guests present (so be careful with what you put in it!). This tradition was meant to reinvigorate the couple after their wedding. It also symbolized the end of the wedding and the change to the status of married couple.....yuuummmmm and who said French people could cook!

Danish Wedding Traditions

The day of the wedding

The Gate of Honour

In Denmark, there is a traditional wedding custom of building an arch of pine branches, called the Gate of Honor, in front of the bride´s family home. Another Gate of Honor is built when the couple celebrates their silver anniversary.

Skaal!

A skaal is a Scandinavian toast of friendship and goodwill which may be offered when drinking, sitting down to eat, or at a formal event. Some fans of Scandinavian culture have popularized the skaal beyond its native countries, and it can often be heard in many peculiar corners of the world, especially in regions with a large Scandinavian population. The word "Skaal" originats from a Viking Battle where they successfully cut the head of an English King and then drank mead out of his Skull or .. "Skaal".

Stealing kisses

As you know, Vikings are pretty big on stealing things away - and that holds true during weddings too :) Sometime during the evening, the groom will leave the room to powder his nose. This should be the first time he leaves his wife since entering the place where the party is held. While the groom is temporarily away, all the men go up to the bride and kiss her. The same thing happens the first time the bride leaves the room.

The Bride and the groom´s dance

After dinner, when dancing, the men will suddenly circle around the groom and get closer and closer. When the groom is completely encircled, they will lift him up, pull out a pair of scissors and cut his socks. At the same time, the women circle around the bride and then cut a piece of the veil. This is considered good luck as it will bring fertility to women.

Singing and toasting

It´s possible for any guests that are so inclined to write either a speech or song for the wedding couple. Note that everyone will join in singing the songs, so enough copies should be made for all the guests. Typically the song sheets are marched in one by one by the waiters and waitresses and are presented in some novel way e.g. rolled up and tied with ribbon or whatever your wild imagination can dream up. At the end of the speech, all the guest will join in agreement by shouting "hurra Hurra hurra - Huuuuuuuuuuurrraaaaa!!!"

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