With the Aboriginal population in Australia being over 847,000, it’s no surprise that many people look for different ways to celebrate their heritage. One creative way to do so is with native wedding traditions.
Most of us are familiar with traditional wedding traditions like wearing something borrowed or blue. Many of us may not know a lot about Aboriginal wedding traditions that have a prominent role in Australia’s heritage.
Australia is home to an exciting and rich history, and wedding traditions are no exception. This guide will go over various Australian wedding traditions you can incorporate if you would like to pay homage to your ancestors.
Stone Ceremony
This tradition can be traced back to the earliest settlers in Australia. Both the bride and groom throw a rock into a body of water in order to seal their wedding. This also replaces the traditional exchanging of wedding rings we’ve come to expect from modern weddings.
The newlyweds cast a stone into a body of water, like a river, lake, or ocean. This action represents their unity as a couple as life flows around them. This tradition began during the colonization period when settlers first came to Australia.
Another stone ceremony involves the friends and family of the couple. They’re invited to put colorful stones and rocks into a “unity bowl.” The unity bowl signifies the guests’ support for the couple and is then gifted to the newlyweds.
The bowl is taken home by the newlyweds and kept as a memory of their wedding day. If you want to put a modern spin on it, you can ask your guests to write their names or significant phrases on the rocks.
Smoking Ceremony
A smoking ceremony is a wonderful tradition to honor the earth. Plants and herbs are burnt, and the smoke is fanned onto the wedding couple. The herbs and plants used are thought to have healing properties that would bless the union and ward off evil spirits.
Another term for this cleansing ritual is called “smudging.” The wedding guests may also be smudged or offered herbs, and the smoke released by the herbs purifies the ceremony.
This ceremony is also a way to inspire and educate international wedding guests as to the traditions of Australia. It’s essential to keep in mind that this spiritual and symbolic practice be carried out with sensitivity to its origins.
Acknowledgment of Country
A way to acknowledge the Aboriginal territory before a wedding begins is by incorporating an “Acknowledgement of Country” into your ceremony. Many Australians strongly appreciate the place where they live, and this tradition is a wonderful way to honor the land.
In addition to paying tribute to the original inhabitants of Australia and recognizing their heritage and culture, you can also use this time to illustrate that you care about honoring others. It’s a mark of respect and very poignant, especially if you get married outside.
This tradition also states that it brings luck and positivity to a couple at the beginning of their marriage. It’s a common tradition that goes back for centuries.
Since Australians consider the land sacred, thanking Mother Earth is another aspect of this tradition. Not only do you thank those who came before you, but you acknowledge the land you stand upon as well. This is thought to bring happiness and good luck in their marriage.
Traditional Music
While popular musicians like John Legend may be commonplace at modern Australian weddings, a traditional instrument that is played at ceremonies is the didgeridoo. The smooth, low sound that emits from the instrument is quintessentially Australian, and it’s even thought to be the world’s oldest musical instrument.
The didgeridoo is a thick, long pipe that’s around three to four feet in length. It’s used as the base for harmony in many traditional Aboriginal and Australian songs.
Ceremony Traditions
It’s common in Australian culture for both parents to walk the bride down the aisle, and sometimes the groom is also escorted by his parents.
Some couples decide to go a different route and walk themselves down the aisle. There aren’t any restrictions on groomsmen or bridesmaids either. Wedding couples can choose friends and family members of either gender to stand with them as they wed their loved ones.
Opt for Lamington
The traditional multi-tiered wedding cake is still an option for Australian weddings, but others opt for a different type of sweet treat. Lamington is an Australian vanilla cake, and it’s cut into squares and covered with coconut and chocolate.
Lamington even has its own national holiday on July 21. It was introduced in Queensland as early as 1900. You can add your twist to this dessert by experimenting with different colors, flavors, and toppings.
Passing Down the Bible
Typically, Australian families pass the family bible down to the next generation. It’s tradition for the groom’s family to gift a unique bible to the new couple.
It’s then the responsibility of the couple to read from, care for, and then pass down the bible to the next generation. If this isn’t something that applies to your family, there are other ways you can incorporate your spirituality into your ceremony.
Classic White Dress
Many modern brides select wedding dresses in different colors, like blue, grey, or pink. In Australia, white wedding dresses remain a common tradition, and brides can choose from off-white, ivory, or champagne for their dress on their big day.
Plan a Wedding With Australian Wedding Traditions
Your wedding is a great place to not only honor your heritage but pay respect to your ancestors. By incorporating various Aboriginal wedding traditions into your ceremony, you can embrace a part of your culture while appreciating those who came before you.
If you’re looking for more unique wedding ideas,check out one of our other articles on our blog.
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