Before the Wedding CeremonyThree days prior to the church wedding, the couple marries in the Registry Office, the Standesamt. Witnesses are required, and only family and close friends generally attend. A church wedding follows, but it is not legally binding. At the church wedding, the couple proceeds down the aisle together. Brides might carry salt and bread, signifying a good harvest, in lieu of flowers. It is possible that the groom will carry grain, which symbolizes wealth. After exiting the church, the bride and groom saw a log in half. This shows that they are prepared to handle the tough times they might face.
The CeremonyFirst, German couples who are getting married must have a civil ceremony at the city center, which only family and close friends attend. The next night is the big wedding party. The bride and groom invite all of their friends, neighbors and acquaintances.German wedding tradition says it's good luck for guests to bring old dishes to break. The newlyweds then sweep up the broken pieces together, symbolizing that nothing will ever be broken in their house again. On the third day, the German religious wedding ceremony takes place. German brides do not have traditional wedding attendants except for flower girls. e bride wears a traditional floral wreath, decorated with jewels and beads, which is worn until midnight. If the bride is a first-time bride, she carries a bouquet made of myrtle. She wears a white gown that has been worn for generations and passed down. •While the ceremony is conducted, the bride and groom hold candles in their hands that are decorated with flowers and ribbons. German wedding cakes are large with many ornaments. The first dance is danced by the bride and groom. Traditionally, a waltz is played. Next, the bride dances with her father and the groom with his mother. Meanwhile, the bride's mother and the groom's father dance together. German receptions often last until the wee hours of the morning.
After the CeremonyImmediately after the ceremony, as the bride and the groom leave the church, they are faced with a heavy log placed on two sawhorses. They must saw their way through, to be able to get out of the church. They are given a whipsaw that is old and rusty, and that is pulled on either side which means they have to work together. This is a symbol of the couple's necessity to solve all problems that they may face ahead, together. This tradition is known as the Sägen. After the wedding ceremony, a luncheon is hosted by the bride's parents either at their residence or at a hotel. This continues right into the evening with an informal buffet followed by a party.
