Do the issues of celebrating a wedding become more complicated when representatives of different cultures get married? Rather - more exciting. It is like a game with wedding concepts, where you can choose what components will be in the game - elements of wedding traditions of each culture, wedding twice - once for the bride, the second time in the groom's homeland, or a modern wedding where the main aspects are being together and celebrating love.
Combining Latvian traditions with elements of other cultures
The team of Svetku palis , located in Pieriga, on the banks of the Daugava, has experience in organizing international weddings. Līga Balode, manager of Svētku Palace, tells about the wedding: "A couple has celebrated their wedding with us, where the groom is from Afghanistan, the bride is from Latvia, the place of residence is Canada. The first dance was the dance of the new couple, and Latvian folk dancers were also invited, who taught the guests folk dances, and then agreed on a joint dance.
Mičošana was in Latvian tradition - by the fire with brooches and folk costumes. After that, a ritual according to Afghan traditions, where the bride had already changed into an Afghan national costume.
At this wedding, we adapted the menu - without pork, including many vegan and vegetarian dishes."
Wedding in Latvian traditions A Chinese couple was also arranged in Pieriga: "In the beginning, the new couple was welcomed with a gate: the couple had to pass through 5 gates with 5 tasks. At the same time, kokle played, which the guests from China were surprised by. and used amber powder, which the guests were also surprised by. The hosts of the evening conducted the wedding in two languages. Another Chinese couple mostly used Latvian traditions, but prepared gifts in red gift bags."
Similarly, at the wedding of a Swiss couple, suit wives were brought in to show Latvian traditions and atmosphere, while for a couple where one of the newlyweds was from Uzbekistan, an Uzbek cook prepared pilaf according to Uzbek traditions - it is possible to realize all kinds of wishes and ideas.
According to Līga Balode, international couples tend to have the opposite desire - the fewer traditions they are unfamiliar with, the better.
More profitable than in host countries
When asked why couples living abroad choose to celebrate their wedding at Svetku Palace, Līga says: "One of the main reasons is that everything is in one place. Food, decoration, hospitality, venue and our wedding organizer, who helps plan everything and gives recommendations. We also organize remote meetings. The biggest shock for foreigners is the place and nature. That There could be something like that in Latvia! When we start telling the role of the Daugava for Latvians, it gives them even more value - it is not just a domestic pond, but an important river.
Compared to a similar service abroad, we are cheaper. For example, holding a two-day wedding in Latvia with full service is cheaper than in Switzerland, England, Germany, Ireland, China, America. It is often even more profitable for couples to buy air tickets for all guests than to hold an event of this size in their own country."
"The biggest difference is that everything happens remotely. There are couples who come to us only shortly before the wedding, and the entire planning and coordination process takes place remotely and through e-mail lists. We help prepare all the plans and files so that it is easy for couples to plan guests by numbers and placement at the tables. We also prepare the evening scenario and event plan, coordinate the menu.
If the couple is not there, then with our support they are also comfortable - we walk through the rooms virtually, and we also have a 3D tour that allows you to explore everything remotely.
Svetku Palace was addressed and included in the largest English wedding publication Real Wedding Bookazine 2024, ranking Svetku Palace among the TOP 50 world wedding venues. It is a real satisfaction to be next to such destinations as the Maldives, Italy, France and to offer something special from Latvia", says the manager of Svētku Palace.
Destination wedding
If you are representatives of different cultures, but are not fans of traditions, a wonderful way to "escape" from traditions and create your own individual wedding story is to go to destination wedding or destination wedding .
When choosing a wedding destination, the first aspect to be investigated is when the chosen place has the most pleasant weather and whether it is not the peak hour of tourism. Just like in Latvia, it is also possible to book the most advantageous offers abroad when there is less tourism.
In order to ease the bureaucracy, it is most convenient to officially register the wedding in Latvia, and to hold a beautiful ceremony and celebration abroad - this way, the twists and turns of local documentation will disappear.
If you have guests invited to a destination wedding, you need to think about their accommodation - guests are counting on the cost of the plane tickets, while the accommodation can be your gift to the guests. Also, gifts are not expected from the guests at such weddings.
A charming idea - to rent a villa, for example in France or Italy, where you can spend a longer time with your guests - a week or two. Thus, the wedding will continue on the honeymoon without an additional flight, and the guests will also be able to spend this time as their vacation. By the way, this is one of the wedding trends of 2025.
Choose local service providers, such as a wedding planner who knows the nuances of local culture and will be able to recommend the best service providers for catering, music, decoration and other aspects of the wedding celebration. On the other hand, it is often more profitable to choose such service providers as a photographer or videographer right here in Latvia, taking care of the photographer's accommodation as well.
Also, Latvian wedding organizers include organizers who are experienced in organizing foreign weddings, for example Boutique Event Planning by Alise Mihimana , which has organized many weddings in Bali as well as in Europe, Crystal Events , which are in demand both in Latvia and abroad, and Zane Rūdele , whose experience includes intimate weddings in Italy.
A real bouquet of adventures will be created if your wedding is organized by an international team. International service providers - they are different ideas, cultures and a unique end result. As shared by Portuguese wedding planner Ana Cuna | Made With Love Events , the experience of an international team brings indescribable satisfaction, demonstrates new perspectives and creativity and is a unique combination of different cultural elements. On the other hand, destination wedding photographer Klaudija | Klassen Wedding s notes that destination wedding service providers are typically very flexible and enthusiastic – the collaboration is always a beautiful experience where everyone involved puts their heart and passion into the work. For destination wedding planners and service providers involved, it is never a standard job, but a new experience – an adventure.
Read informative information about destination weddings on the portal BRIDELIFESTYLE.COM . Here you will also find professional wedding service providers in the country of your choice.
Author of the article: Ieva Simanoviča
Purchased LĪGAVĀM's latest wedding and cohabitation magazine: MAGAZINE NO. 16
Give yourself or dear friends a wedding planner: WEDDING PLANNER
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