Trinidad wedding traditions are full of color and fun, from the pre-wedding rituals to the post-wedding customs. It’s a beautiful cultural experience that is sure to make your special day truly memorable. From traditional music and dance performances at weddings in Trinidad & Tobago, to unique superstitions surrounding nuptials – there are so many fascinating aspects of this Caribbean culture you should know about before planning your big day. Let’s explore some of these trinidad wedding traditions together – let’s start with what happens prior to saying “I do”.
Trinidad Wedding Traditions
Post-Wedding Traditions
After the wedding ceremony is complete, there are several post-wedding traditions that couples in Trinidad and Tobago may observe. These include reception celebrations with feasting, blessings from elders in the community, and honeymoon rituals and customs.
Reception Celebrations and Feasting:
After a couple has been married, they will often host a large celebration for their family and friends to come together to celebrate the newlyweds. This is usually accompanied by plenty of food such as curried goat or chicken roti served with sides like potato salad or macaroni pie. The feast is also typically followed by traditional Trinidadian music such as soca or calypso being played throughout the night.
Blessing of the Couple by Elders in the Community:
It’s customary for elders in Trinidad & Tobago to give their blessing to newlywed couples during this time as well. This can be done through an exchange of words between both parties where they offer each other advice on how best to lead a successful marriage life going forward into their new journey together.
Music and Dance Traditions at Weddings in Trinidad & Tobago
Music and dance are an integral part of weddings in Trinidad & Tobago. Couples often incorporate calypso, soca, or chutney music and dancing into their wedding celebrations to add a unique cultural flair to their special day.
Calypso Music and Dancing at Weddings:
Calypso is the traditional music of Trinidad & Tobago that originated from African slaves who were brought to the islands by European colonizers. It is usually performed with drums, bass guitar, steel pan drums, triangle instruments, and various other percussion instruments. During weddings in Trinidad & Tobago it is common for couples to have a live band play calypso songs while guests dance along in celebration of the newlyweds.
Soca Music and Dancing at Weddings:
Soca music has its roots in calypso but it has evolved over time into its own genre with a more upbeat tempo than traditional calypso songs. At weddings in Trinidad & Tobago couples will often hire DJs or bands to play soca music so that guests can enjoy themselves on the dance floor throughout the night as they celebrate the union of two people coming together as one family.
Chutney is another type of Trinidadian music that combines elements from both Indian classical music as well as Caribbean folk traditions such as reggae and soca rhythms. This style of music is popular among many different ethnic groups living on the island nation including East Indians who make up about 40% of population there today. At Trinidadian weddings couples may choose to include chutney musicians or dancers during their reception festivities so that all cultures represented can be celebrated together through song and movement.
Conclusion
Trinidad wedding traditions are a unique and beautiful way to celebrate the union of two people. From pre-wedding rituals, to music and dance on the day of, there is no shortage of cultural customs and superstitions that can be incorporated into your special day. Whether you choose to embrace all or just some of these traditions, they will surely add an extra touch of charm to your celebration.
