Jamaican Wedding Traditions
Kierstin McFarlane
In many Jamaican weddings, some traditions are similar to traditions that weddings of other cultures practice, and also some that are not. Many people travel to Jamaica as a vacation place, but it is very likely for the people that reside there to go to a wedding every once in a while for a friend, or family member. However, that does not mean that people that aren’t locals do not travel to the country to attend a wedding. The text in the body paragraphs, will contain different factors of a Jamaican wedding including foods, customs, and other traditions in general.
One of the most important factors of a Jamaican wedding, is the cake. The cake is meant to be prepared and decorated in a specific way. The type of cake, is called “Jamaican black rum cake” (Toronto Star (Canada) 2002). The fruits that go into the cake, are raisins, currants, prunes, and assorted fruit peels, and they must be soaked in a dark rum for three to four weeks, and it must be stirred gradually daily. To give the cake its dark “black” color, the brown sugar that is added along within the recipe is meant to be burnt. (Recipe Circus 2014).
Depending on if the bride and groom are of different cultures or not, the cake could be decorated in several different styles. But the traditional Jamaican wedding cake, is decorated with either a pearly white buttercream frosting, or a pearl white fondant. It is also decorated with different types of tropical flowers to resemble the beaches, and the beauties of the country itself. Also, if the bride and groom are of different cultures, there would normally be two cakes. In an American-Jamaican wedding, there is a Jamaican black rum cake prepared, and then a traditional Vanilla, chocolate, marble, red velvet, etc. for the fiancé on the American side of the wedding (live source).
Now, moving on with the foods served at the traditional Jamaican wedding reception for the guests. A few very common main dishes that will be served, are Curry Chicken, Curry Goat, Curried Lobster and/or shrimp, Oxtail, Jerk Chicken, Red snapper fish (prepared a specific way), and brown stewed chicken. Some side dishes may include fried plantains, red beans and rice (Rice n’ Peas), and fried or roasted breadfruit. For drinks, the bride and grooms choice of wine, or champagne, and if there are children, or non-alcoholic drinkers, a special Jamaican punch will be served. There is also a special choosing event for the meat selection, most importantly the goat to make the Curried Goat (Jamaican Wedding Traditions: Weddingdetails.com). The foods will vary, in the case that the bride and groom are both of Jamaican descent or not.
The bride wants her special day to go on without a hitch, so just like every wedding, all attire, photography, entertainment, food planning’s, etc. need to be booked prior to the big event. The bride and groom will make the choice to either go to a catering company to test foods and then make their choice, or they will have other preparations. For example the bride’s mother sometimes may prepare a very large traditional Jamaican meal for the guests, because of the cost being cheaper than catering (live source). Moving on to the attire, the bride of course will have her beautiful, elegant wedding dress, in which a piece of the bride’s mother’s dress is to be integrated into it (wedding details/traditions Jamaica.com) This is the bride’s choice, it does not have to be done, but it is a tradition. The groom and his groomsmen will go to a tailor, or someone in the family to pick out their suits, and get them perfectly prepared for the big day. For the bride’s and bridesmaid’s dresses, they will either go to a bridal shop to pick out their dresses, or the bride will explain to a person personally known seamstress her vision of the dresses she would like, and they will have them made. If the bride chooses to go to a seamstress to make all of the dresses, they will need a lot of time compared to if she was to go and pick out an already made dress at a bridal shop (live source).
Every bride and groom want the perfect scene for the wedding, so they need time to envision the perfect venue for the ceremony, and the reception. In a traditional Jamaican ceremony, people from the community, along with the groomsmen and bridesmaids are to help the bride and groom with whatever is needed of them. A common Jamaican wedding ceremony is held on a local (or can be private) beach, but they may also want to hold it in a church. The reception, can range anywhere of their choice, starting from an elegant party room, and ending to an outdoor cabana (prior knowledge, live source).
There are always things that need to be done before the big day! The bride and groom of course have to have their one last night of freedom! The groom enjoys his evening at the Best man’s house with his party, while the bride enjoys her evening at her house with her party as they share the great stories and memories of their own weddings, and what is to be expected of with having a spouse. Aside from the bachelor, and bachelorette party, things are done for the bride within her family for relaxation. The bride’s mother, makes her a special “bush tea”, prepared of lavender, and lemon grass. Also, any last-minute preparations including decorations, and food preparations depending on whether they will have catering or not (they most likely will have last minute additions, such as the cake decorating).
Now, the bride and groom are about to start their big day!! But… before the lovely couple can be bonded in wedlock, they need a few documents that need to be sent to their wedding event coordinator. He or she will need: Certified copies of the bride and grooms birth certificates, Certified copies of Divorce Certificate if one or more parties has been divorced, Certified copies of Death Certificate if one of the parties is a widow or widower, Certified copies of adoption certificates that reflect any name changes, Photocopy of photo identification for each party, and Notarized copies of English translations for any documents that are not originally worded in English. All of these things, will be needed 30-60 days before the event so they better not forget! (Wedding Traditions and Requirements in Jamaica. Caribya).
The bride and her maids should get their nails, hair, and makeup done the morning of the wedding, at the home of the bride or her mother. The groom and his side of the party, will normally go to the best man’s home, and get ready and may have a beer or two to take the weight of the groom’s shoulders. Once the parties get dressed, and everything else is complete, the maids and the mother of the bride will help pack the car with any mandatory items (that aren’t already taken care of by the event planner). Then they will head to the venue to meet her awaiting fiancé and soon to be lawfully wedded husband.
After the wedding, the bride, groom, and the parties will go to the reception venue, and meet the other guests. Once everyone is seated the large meal everyone was awaiting, will be served. The foods such as: curry goat, oxtail, jerk chicken, etc. will be served along with the special Jamaican punch for non-alcoholic drinkers, and wine or champagne for the adults. Once everyone is done with the main course, the special Black Rum cake will be served. After everyone is done with that, the reggae music will be turned up to party mode volume levels, and everyone will start the celebration of the new Mr. and Mrs.!
In many Jamaican weddings, some traditions are similar to traditions that weddings of other cultures practice, and also some that are not. Many people travel to Jamaica as a vacation place, but it is very likely for the people that reside there to go to a wedding every once in a while for a friend, or family member. However, that does not mean that people that aren’t locals do not travel to the country to attend a wedding. The text in the body paragraphs, will contain different factors of a Jamaican wedding including foods, customs, and other traditions in general.
One of the most important factors of a Jamaican wedding, is the cake. The cake is meant to be prepared and decorated in a specific way. The type of cake, is called “Jamaican black rum cake” (Toronto Star (Canada) 2002). The fruits that go into the cake, are raisins, currants, prunes, and assorted fruit peels, and they must be soaked in a dark rum for three to four weeks, and it must be stirred gradually daily. To give the cake its dark “black” color, the brown sugar that is added along within the recipe is meant to be burnt. (Recipe Circus 2014).
Depending on if the bride and groom are of different cultures or not, the cake could be decorated in several different styles. But the traditional Jamaican wedding cake, is decorated with either a pearly white buttercream frosting, or a pearl white fondant. It is also decorated with different types of tropical flowers to resemble the beaches, and the beauties of the country itself. Also, if the bride and groom are of different cultures, there would normally be two cakes. In an American-Jamaican wedding, there is a Jamaican black rum cake prepared, and then a traditional Vanilla, chocolate, marble, red velvet, etc. for the fiancé on the American side of the wedding (live source).
Now, moving on with the foods served at the traditional Jamaican wedding reception for the guests. A few very common main dishes that will be served, are Curry Chicken, Curry Goat, Curried Lobster and/or shrimp, Oxtail, Jerk Chicken, Red snapper fish (prepared a specific way), and brown stewed chicken. Some side dishes may include fried plantains, red beans and rice (Rice n’ Peas), and fried or roasted breadfruit. For drinks, the bride and grooms choice of wine, or champagne, and if there are children, or non-alcoholic drinkers, a special Jamaican punch will be served. There is also a special choosing event for the meat selection, most importantly the goat to make the Curried Goat (Jamaican Wedding Traditions: Weddingdetails.com). The foods will vary, in the case that the bride and groom are both of Jamaican descent or not.
The bride wants her special day to go on without a hitch, so just like every wedding, all attire, photography, entertainment, food planning’s, etc. need to be booked prior to the big event. The bride and groom will make the choice to either go to a catering company to test foods and then make their choice, or they will have other preparations. For example the bride’s mother sometimes may prepare a very large traditional Jamaican meal for the guests, because of the cost being cheaper than catering (live source). Moving on to the attire, the bride of course will have her beautiful, elegant wedding dress, in which a piece of the bride’s mother’s dress is to be integrated into it (wedding details/traditions Jamaica.com) This is the bride’s choice, it does not have to be done, but it is a tradition. The groom and his groomsmen will go to a tailor, or someone in the family to pick out their suits, and get them perfectly prepared for the big day. For the bride’s and bridesmaid’s dresses, they will either go to a bridal shop to pick out their dresses, or the bride will explain to a person personally known seamstress her vision of the dresses she would like, and they will have them made. If the bride chooses to go to a seamstress to make all of the dresses, they will need a lot of time compared to if she was to go and pick out an already made dress at a bridal shop (live source).
Every bride and groom want the perfect scene for the wedding, so they need time to envision the perfect venue for the ceremony, and the reception. In a traditional Jamaican ceremony, people from the community, along with the groomsmen and bridesmaids are to help the bride and groom with whatever is needed of them. A common Jamaican wedding ceremony is held on a local (or can be private) beach, but they may also want to hold it in a church. The reception, can range anywhere of their choice, starting from an elegant party room, and ending to an outdoor cabana (prior knowledge, live source).
There are always things that need to be done before the big day! The bride and groom of course have to have their one last night of freedom! The groom enjoys his evening at the Best man’s house with his party, while the bride enjoys her evening at her house with her party as they share the great stories and memories of their own weddings, and what is to be expected of with having a spouse. Aside from the bachelor, and bachelorette party, things are done for the bride within her family for relaxation. The bride’s mother, makes her a special “bush tea”, prepared of lavender, and lemon grass. Also, any last-minute preparations including decorations, and food preparations depending on whether they will have catering or not (they most likely will have last minute additions, such as the cake decorating).
Now, the bride and groom are about to start their big day!! But… before the lovely couple can be bonded in wedlock, they need a few documents that need to be sent to their wedding event coordinator. He or she will need: Certified copies of the bride and grooms birth certificates, Certified copies of Divorce Certificate if one or more parties has been divorced, Certified copies of Death Certificate if one of the parties is a widow or widower, Certified copies of adoption certificates that reflect any name changes, Photocopy of photo identification for each party, and Notarized copies of English translations for any documents that are not originally worded in English. All of these things, will be needed 30-60 days before the event so they better not forget! (Wedding Traditions and Requirements in Jamaica. Caribya).
The bride and her maids should get their nails, hair, and makeup done the morning of the wedding, at the home of the bride or her mother. The groom and his side of the party, will normally go to the best man’s home, and get ready and may have a beer or two to take the weight of the groom’s shoulders. Once the parties get dressed, and everything else is complete, the maids and the mother of the bride will help pack the car with any mandatory items (that aren’t already taken care of by the event planner). Then they will head to the venue to meet her awaiting fiancé and soon to be lawfully wedded husband.
After the wedding, the bride, groom, and the parties will go to the reception venue, and meet the other guests. Once everyone is seated the large meal everyone was awaiting, will be served. The foods such as: curry goat, oxtail, jerk chicken, etc. will be served along with the special Jamaican punch for non-alcoholic drinkers, and wine or champagne for the adults. Once everyone is done with the main course, the special Black Rum cake will be served. After everyone is done with that, the reggae music will be turned up to party mode volume levels, and everyone will start the celebration of the new Mr. and Mrs.!