Traditions
Norway Puts a New Spin on Wedding Cake that Your Guests Will Love
No matter where you go, weddings carry special traditions and rituals that are meant to bless the marriage and wish the couple happiness and a good life. In Norway, many weddings have similar traditions to the U.S. and other European nations. The bride is dressed in white and the groom has a tux. However, there are some touches that mark the ceremony as uniquely from Norway.
A traditional Norwegian wedding procession to the church or town hall involves fiddle players leading the way, and the bride and groom right behind them. The rest of the wedding party follows behind the couple, with the guests last. Some processions include horses, with the man in front and the bride riding the best horse, which is often light colored. Some weddings have the procession happen on foot, driven in a carriage, or even ferried in one or several boats.
The wedding party is also smaller, as the bride and groom each have only one attendant, as well as a flower girl and ring bearer.
Finishing the ceremony, there is often a sit-down dinner where guests might be served, or a smorgasbord is set up and guests help themselves. There are multiple toasts and songs to the couple, meaning that the dinner can last for hours. As part of the festivities, there is a toastmaster, who announces each individual that wants to offer a toast.
After dinner, the wedding cake is cut and then guests enjoy a variety of cakes, coffee, and after dinner drinks. The couple may ask guests to contribute traditional cakes to the cake table, providing more variety, with blotkake (soft cake), almond cake, cheesecake, and even chocolate cakes.
With everyone satisfied with food and drink, the dancing begins. Folk songs are popular, and people might even write their own songs about the couple, while setting them to traditional music. The bride and groom are the first to dance. All the dancing ends up leaving the guests hungry again, so there is another meal of sausages, soup with bread, or even just sandwiches to keep everyone fueled into the night.
The Norwegian wedding crown is also a part of the traditional wedding attire for the bride. Crafted with white silver and gold spoons, the crown flairs out above the veil. It is a symbol of the bride moving into her married life, while the kransen, a symbol of her virginity, is removed and stowed for her daughter. The focus was on the hair historically, as a woman’s hair was very significant in the culture.
While the couple might wear wedding rings, it is more traditionally worn on the fourth finger of the right hand, instead of the ring finger on the left. Bands can also be ornamental or simple, with traditional sayings carved into the ring.
Cakes
After dinner, the wedding cake is cut and then guests enjoy a variety of cakes, coffee, and after dinner drinks. The couple may ask guests to contribute traditional cakes to the cake table, providing more variety, with blotkake (soft cake), almond cake, cheesecake, and even chocolate cakes.