Subscribe for all my updates and don't miss a thing! Sign me up!

Jamaican Wedding
Traditions And Superstitions

Sharing Is Caring! Share this awesome content with your friends now.

start_here_if_new_image_link

New! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS!
Click Here and see why over 140,000 fans are raving about my YouTube Channel!

Jamaican WeddingJamaican Wedding

by Sheree-Anita Shearer | Associate Writer

What are some Jamaican wedding traditions? Every culture has its own traditions when it comes to weddings and Jamaica, being as colourful as it is, is no different. Of course, we have the regular traditions; not seeing the bride before the wedding, the bride wearing white etc.

But, let’s explore a few of these traditions. Maybe you can include some in your big day too.

New! How much do you love Jamaica?

Join our growing list of well-thinking Jamaica-loving folks who are demonstrating what a friendly, helpful and fun Jamaican community looks like. Click Here to learn more.


And, if you ever need a trustworthy and knowledgeable local guide, consider booking a private tour with us!


1. The Wedding Ceremony

Jamaican Wedding | Wellesley & Omeil Walking Down The AisleJamaican Wedding | Wellesley & Omeil Walking Down The Aisle

In the olden days, the wedding ceremony was held at a church and the reception at the groom’s family home. Now though, there are many different wedding ceremony and reception locations being chosen. But, Jamaica being mainly a Christian country, the wedding is still done in a Christian format. 

In the past, the wedding was paid for by the family of the bride (which I think is normal in most cultures), but now the bride and groom stand for the costs of the wedding for the most part, but parents on both sides still chip in sometimes.

The marriage certificate is signed on the day of the wedding. After the “I do’s” the marriage certificate is signed by the officiant, bride, groom and witnesses (usually the maid-of-honour and best man).

2. The Cake

You might be thinking of all the “wedding” flavours there are but I promise you won’t guess this one. Jamaicans for wedding cakes draw for an old favourite, Traditional Rum Cake. The making of this cake starts long before the day of the wedding, in fact, the fruits (an ingredient in the cake) are soaked for the entire length of the engagement.

At the wedding, the cake is cut and the top layer is given to the officiant, the second layer is for the bride and groom (for their first anniversary) and all other layers are shared with the guests. It is also customary for a slice to be sent to those who were invited but couldn’t make it.

This is no longer practised, or not as much, but in times past, the cakes were made and brought to the wedding reception by married women of both families. These women would wear white to the wedding and wouldn’t speak to each other until they get to the venue.

Instead of having the cake out in the open for the entire wedding, it is covered with a veil and then removed by these women. Now, this is still done but the veil is removed by the mothers of the bride and groom.

3. The Food

Jamaican Wedding | Curry Goat (Photo Credit: African Bites)Jamaican Wedding | Curry Goat (Photo Credit: African Bites)

The menu can be whatever you’d like however, almost every Jamaican wedding has a curried goat and Manish water (goat soup) on the menu. It is customary for the goat to be chosen by the bride and groom and for it to be killed by a member of either family. 

The reception as you probably guessed has an open bar. Local and international favourites are served all night. And Jamaican weddings can last all night.

4. Music

Most weddings will play love ballads and R&B for the first half of the reception, including the first dance. Then it will gradually work its way down to Reggae and Dancehall music for the ultimate post-nuptial party. Some bridal parties may have choreographed entrances with popular songs.

5. Tun T’anks Sunday

Jamaican Wedding

Tun T’anks Sunday is the celebration after the wedding. Because weddings are usually on Saturdays, it is tradition for the entire bridal party to attend church on the Sunday following the ceremony. After the service, they head back home for the “second reception”. On day two, food, cake and rum flow even more than before. This reception is often open to the community and those loved ones who couldn’t make the wedding. This is another event that can last all night.

So we have covered the traditions, but what about superstitions? What is considered bad luck on your wedding day?

Superstitions Around A Jamaican Wedding

  1. Don’t wear black, red or purple. And this goes for both the bridal party and the guests. These three colours are seen in “funeral colours” and are a sign of bad luck.

  2. If it rains, you will have a problematic marriage.

  3. If dogs eat a slice of your cake, you will have a miserable marriage.

  4. Wearinng a ring on your "wedding finger" before you get married will reduce your chances of ever getting married to zero.

  5. If the bride cries on her wedding day you'll have a tear-free marriage.

That's it! How many of these did you already know?

See Also:

You might like these

Sharing IS Caring! Please help me get the message out by sharing this article with your friends on social media (links below). Thnx ;-)


If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, to get even more

It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica! 

Return to Jamaican Wedding Destinations from Jamaican Wedding Traditions
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from Jamaican Wedding Traditions

References & Sources For Jamaican Wedding Traditions

  1. Wedding Tradition and superstitions | Flair | Jamaica Gleaner, https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/flair/20141201/wedding-tradition-and-superstitions
Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

JAMAICA_ON_A_BUDGET_EBOOK_COVER_LEAN

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise!

JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget!

I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

my_island_jamaica_channel_tv

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Jamaica_subscribe_button

Read More ...

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!


P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.


copyscape
Back To The Top Of This Page

Like My Site? Please Click Here To Share It With Your Friends

Home   |   JOIN US   |   Site Search   |   Have Your Say   |   Archives   |   Old Archives   |   Contact   |   Disclaimer   |   TIP ME!   |   Link To Us


Do like I did! Share your passion
(about your city, hobby or experience) and make a living from it. Click Here to see how
.

By Wellesley Gayle   |   Copyright © 2007-2024 My-Island-Jamaica.com   |   All rights Reserved.   |   Privacy Policy