Cultural traditions · Confetti · Bomboniere · Tarantella
Italian wedding traditions
The Catholic ceremony
Italian-American weddings almost universally happen within a Catholic Mass or ceremony. See the Catholic wedding guide for that structure. The Italian elements happen mostly at the reception.
The core Italian reception traditions
- Tarantella — 20 min. A fast traditional line or circle dance, often with the couple in the center.
- Confetti and bomboniere — sugar-coated almonds, traditionally five per guest, for health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and long life, packed as favors.
- La busta. Guests bring cash in envelopes, often during the receiving line. The bride may carry a satin pouch (la borsa) or use a decorative box.
- The cookie table. Especially in Northeast Italian-American families: biscotti, pizzelle, wedding cookies, taralli, and amaretti, alongside or instead of a single cake.
Italian food
- Antipasto — cured meats, cheeses, marinated vegetables, olives.
- Pasta — often more than one.
- Meat — roasts, sometimes several.
- The cookie table, in the Northeast tradition.
- Espresso, cordials, and wine through the evening.
Expect the meal to stretch, with pauses for dancing between courses. Eat when you can.
The music
- Live Italian bands: traditional music, opera, contemporary Italian-American songs.
- A DJ blending Italian classics with current music.
- A tarantella set for the dance itself.
- Frank Sinatra, and often Dean Martin, Louis Prima, and Bobby Darin.
Regional variation
- Southern Italian (Sicilian, Calabrian, Neapolitan). More elaborate food, specific dances, and more traditional protocol.
- Northern Italian (Milanese, Venetian, Turin). Often more restrained, with different regional cooking.
- Roman. Its own cuisine and customs.
- Italian-American, by generation. Third- and fourth-generation families blend traditions with American practice. Confetti, bomboniere, la busta, and the cookie table still persist.
Photography priorities
- Confetti and bomboniere. The design, the table, and guests receiving them.
- La busta. The receiving line, envelopes handed to the bride, and the pouch or box.
- The cookie table. The whole table, each kind of cookie, and guests taking them.
- Tarantella. A fast shutter, the line or circle, the couple in the center, and elders dancing.
- Food. Each course, family serving, and the toasts.
Common questions
Do Italian weddings always have cookie tables?
In Pittsburgh, New York and New Jersey, Cleveland, and Chicago Italian-American communities, almost every wedding has one. In other regions it is less universal.
How much cash do guests bring in envelopes?
Norms vary. Traditional guidance is to cover the cost of the plate plus a gift. In many Italian-American communities, envelopes of $200–$500 per couple are common.
Is the tarantella always done at every reception?
In older Italian-American families, usually yes, late in the reception. Younger couples sometimes skip it. The preset is 20 minutes.
Do Italian-American weddings really have that much food?
Yes. Meals stretch across courses, with dancing between them. Plan breaks during the long eating portions.
Sources
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About this guide, sources, and how to reach the author
Written by
Wedding photographer · 15+ years · Former owner, East Shore Wedding Photography · Co-owner, Elena Kay Photography · Co-founder, Aisle & Time
Last updated:
About this guide
The timing, positioning, and photography notes on this page come from George's own Italianwedding coverage over a 15-year career. Aisle & Time is the wedding-day system he built and refined across hundreds of weddings before retiring from active shooting in 2025. What you're reading is that system, in guide form.
For how we build every guide on this site, see our editorial methodology.
Sources cited on this page
- Primary: George Stoff's field experience across hundreds of weddings (Central Islip, New York and New York tri-state area, 2008–2025)
- Product: Aisle & Time tradition library (version 2026.09)
- Cross-reference: Italian American Museum
See the full sources list for every reference we cite across the tradition library.
Corrections
Spot something wrong? Email george@aisleandtime.com or open the support form. Corrections that hold up get made within 48 hours, with a note on this page recording what changed and when.
Disclaimer
Traditions vary by community, family, and officiant. Always confirm the specific practice with your officiant, family, and vendors. This guide reflects common practice as modeled inside the Aisle & Time product — not doctrine, not religious authority, not a substitute for a real conversation with the people leading your ceremony.