Unforgettable Haitian Wedding Traditions
A Haitian bride and groom kissing at their wedding reception. Image by June Plumm Events.
Nestled between the Caribbean Ocean and the North Atlantic, Haiti makes up ⅓ of the island of Hispaniola. Despite sharing a border with the Dominican Republic, Haiti has a distinctive culture that blends West African heritage with Western customs.
This means that Haitian weddings are unique and beautiful affairs with time-honored traditions sprinkled with modern rituals.
If you have Haitian roots, are marrying into a family from Haiti or are planning a wedding, here are some essential Haitian wedding traditions you need to know about.
Common Rituals Before the Wedding
Bridesmaids and groomsmen practicing walking down the aisle. Image by lunionsuite on Instagram.
The Groom Foots the Bill
In Haitian culture, the groom is responsible for paying the costs of the wedding ceremony and reception. While the bride’s family can contribute, it’s expected that the groom fronts most of the costs to prove he can care for his future family.
An engaged couple is allowed to live together as long as they need to if the groom needs time to gather money for the wedding day.
The Surprise Bride
In the US, wearing white to a wedding is a huge faux pas. But in Haiti, it’s common for several members of the bridal party to wear rented wedding dresses! Bridesmaids will dress as brides and pair up with a groomsman, who is dressed like a groom.
There are two reasons for this. One is that the groom will be asked to pick out his bride from the procession of lovely ladies, showing his dedication to his partner.
The other reason is for status. The more pairs of pretend brides and grooms that walk the procession ahead of the real couple, the more affluent the couple is!
A Beautiful Procession
Before the wedding ceremony, the groom will pick his bride up from her home and walk with her to the church. Leading the way is their bridal party as their friends, family, and other guests walk behind the happy couple.
If they live in a small town, the procession will go through the center so that all of the residents can see the wedding party traverse to the church and admire the beautiful clothing.
The Wedding Party Dance
Once they arrive at the church, the wedding guests will filter in and find their seats. When it’s time, the wedding party will do a traditional dance down the aisle ahead of the bride and groom.
The dance is more of a rhythmic march, with the men and women moving in unison to traditional Haitian music. It is a beautiful sight to behold.
Sometimes, the couple will hire professional dancers to accompany their wedding party. It makes for a beautiful sight and sets the tone for the wedding.
Once the dances are over, the maid of honor and best man will accompany the couple, staying by their sides for the entire ceremony. They will remain at the altar throughout the event and sign the marriage certificate as well.
Wedding Ceremony Traditions
A Haitian bride and groom smiling at each other and posing outside. Image by Andreana.
A Delayed Start
Don’t expect a Haitian wedding to start on time! Most ceremonies begin at least an hour later than the time on the invitation.
Some chalk it up to “island time,” meaning island residents aren’t as concerned with deadlines and start times as others may be.
Some believe this is customary to give the bride and groom as much time as they need to prepare without feeling pressured to arrive at a particular time.
Either way, expect to wait if you’re invited to a Haitian wedding! But don’t worry, everything will go according to plan.
Extended Church Ceremonies
The ceremony is an important part of any wedding day. A Haitian wedding ceremony can take upwards of three hours. There will be multiple choirs present to sing the couple’s favorite hymns and songs.
Preachers will be present to deliver uplifting sermons. And, of course, the couple will exchange vows and sign their wedding certificate during this time.
Mid-Ceremony Kiss
You may see the couple’s first kiss as a sign that the wedding ceremony has come to an end. However, in a Haitian wedding, the couple will exchange vows and kiss at the midpoint of the ceremony.
Once they kiss, there will still be choir performances, sermons, and the signing of the marriage certificate. The ceremony ends when the maid of honor and best man escorts the couple out of the church and to the reception venue.
Haitian Wedding Reception Traditions
A bride and groom dancing together at their wedding reception. Image by Maxwell Jennings.
A Party Instead of a Reception
A Haitian wedding reception looks a lot more like a party than a traditional reception. Guests, the bridal party, and the happy couple all retreat to the event space. Many couples opt to celebrate in a family member’s home.
There, they will dine on a feast prepared by both sides of the family. There will be tables set out for the bride, groom, their wedding party, and family members. Other guests will sit in pew-like seats around these tables.
Guests are encouraged to dance and mingle as they eat. Many couples have a live band present to play traditional and modern songs all evening long!
Gifts are also exchanged during this time. However, it’s important to note that it is not polite to give the couple money during the reception. Instead, offer gifts that will help them establish their household and start their life together.
Cutting the Cake at Home
Don’t expect to see the couple cut the cake and feed each other first bites! The wedding cake is displayed for the reception, but then taken to the couple’s home after the reception has ended.
The guests will be offered other sweets at the end of their meal. There, in the privacy of their home, the couple will cut and eat the cake to mark the end of their joyous wedding day.
Since cakes are typically large, the newlyweds will freeze the rest and enjoy it throughout their first year of marriage.
Kremas for Everyone!
Kremas are the official celebratory drink in Haiti, so it’s no surprise couples offer guests a bottle of it as a party favor!
This drink is made from rum, evaporated milk and condensed milk. Its flavor is punctuated with cream of coconut, lime, vanilla, and aromatic spices. Some varieties include raisins and almond extract.
The beverage is offered in beautiful bottles as a thank you to guests who attended the wedding.
Brides and grooms often use customized labels to send well wishes to their loved ones and tie the bottles with a ribbon that matches their wedding colors.
Guests take the beverage home and store it in the refrigerator until they are ready to enjoy the refreshing treat!
Delectable Haitian Wedding Food
Several plates of authentic Haitian wedding food with rice, meat, and vegetables. Image by Didine Restro.
Weddings are the perfect time to enjoy traditional dishes or cultural charcuterie boards and Haitian weddings are no exception! Each dish is carefully crafted by a loving family member- you won’t find professional caterers here!
This means the food is cooked with heart and soul. Here are some dishes you can expect to find at a Haitian wedding.
Griot: This dish consists of pork shoulder marinated for hours in a epi spice and citrus blend. The meat is then roasted or braised until it falls off the bone.
Tasso: Tasso is a cured ham with a firm texture. It’s spicy and salty, making it the perfect accompaniment to jambalaya and stews.
Pate koda: This dish looks like an empanada, but is filled with traditional Haitian flavors. The dough is stuffed with meat and beans and fried until golden brown.
Fried plantains: Plantains look like bananas but have a distinct flavor. Green ones have a savory flavor while yellow ones are sweet. Either variety can be fried and topped with a savory sauce for a delicious treat!
Conch: Also known as lombi, this seafood dish is made from the inhabitant of a Conch shell, as well as tomatoes, shallots, garlic and parsley
Conclusion
Haitian weddings are joyous celebrations that honor the happy couple. They offer guests the opportunity to dine on delicious foods, mingle with other guests, and enjoy hours of beautiful live music.
If you are incorporating traditional elements into your own wedding, remember to do it with respect and care. This will allow you to strengthen your roots while crafting an unforgettable wedding day!