Your wedding day is about the two of you, but it’s also about the people who shaped you. For many couples, that means weaving in traditions from their family’s culture and honouring their parents, or grandparents heritage.

The question we hear a lot is, ‘We’d love to include this, but we’re not sure how.’

The good news is there’s no single right way to do it. Here’s how we help couples bring culture into their day, and what we’ve learned from some beautiful weddings along the way.

How do you decide which cultural traditions to include in your wedding?

Before thinking about logistics, we like to start with a simple conversation: what traditions mean the most to you and your families? Some couples have a clear list. Others just know they want *something* that feels like home, and need help working out what that could look like.

It’s also worth chatting with parents and grandparents early. They often hold the stories behind the traditions, and including them in the planning can make the day even more meaningful for everyone.

GO FULL CEREMONY, OR KEEP IT SUBTLE

Cultural elements don’t have to be all or nothing. Some couples build their entire day around tradition. Others prefer a quieter nod, a single ritual during the ceremony, a special dish on the menu, or a meaningful outfit detail. 

Both approaches are beautiful. The right one is whichever feels true to you.

  • A full celebration. Over the years we’ve had the privilege of working with couples from all backgrounds and cultures. We have seen how families from Jewish, Indian, Māori, Scottish, Greek and Chinese backgrounds bring their own special rituals to the day. From the timing of the ceremony to the flow of the evening, these days are fully planned around the traditions rather than squeezing them in.
  • A subtle nod. Maybe it’s a parent’s traditional dress worn alongside a modern outfit, a blessing read in a family language, or florals and colours that reference your heritage. Small touches can carry a lot of meaning.
  • A modern twist. Traditions can evolve. We love helping couples reimagine a custom in a way that suits their style, like pairing a traditional ritual with contemporary styling, or adapting a long ceremony into something that works for their guest list.

Cultural wedding traditions we love

Here are a few of the moments that have stayed with us:

  • Chinese tea ceremony. The couple serves tea to their elders as a sign of respect. It’s intimate and emotional, and works beautifully as a quiet moment in the day.
  • The Hora (Jewish chair dance). The couple is raised high on chairs while guests dance around them. It’s joyful, a little wild, and guaranteed to get everyone on their feet.
  • Scottish bagpipes. A piper leading the wedding party or welcoming guests brings instant atmosphere, especially with the Southern Alps as a backdrop.
  • Māori blessings and haka. A karakia (blessing) during the ceremony or a family haka before dinner adds deep meaning, and is a wonderful way to celebrate whānau.
  • Greek plate smashing. Lively and loud, it’s a great way to kick off the dancing.
  • Coming together of cultures. Something incredibly special we love to see is the coming together of two different cultures, both honoured in a unique way on the day. Bagpipes to welcome guests and a Māori blessing during the ceremony. A family haka performed before dinner and lively plate smashing before dancing. Your traditions and your cultures, recognised your way. 

Tips for weaving culture into your wedding day

1. Talk to your planner early. Some traditions affect timing, space, catering, or the order of the day. The sooner we know, the better we can plan around them.

2. Brief your vendors. Photographers, caterers, musicians and celebrants all do their best work when they understand what’s happening and why it matters.

3. Help your guests follow along. A short line in the order of service explaining a ritual helps guests who are new to it feel included, and often makes the moment even more special.

4. Give traditions room to breathe. Build in enough time so nothing feels rushed.

5. Make it yours. Traditions are living things. It’s okay to adapt them to suit your day.

Key takeaways

Can I include cultural traditions in a Queenstown wedding?
Yes. Queenstown venues, celebrants, caterers and musicians can accommodate a wide range of traditions, from tea ceremonies to haka to live piping. Early planning makes it easy.

How early should I tell my wedding planner about cultural traditions?
As soon as you start planning. Traditions can affect ceremony length, venue layout, catering and the day’s timeline.

Can I mix two cultures in one wedding?
Absolutely. Many of our couples honour both families’ traditions, either in separate moments or woven together through the day.

Let’s plan your day

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that reflects your heritage and your family, we’d love to hear about it. Whether you want a full traditional celebration or just a little something special, we’ll help you find the right way to bring it to life. Get in touch at [email protected] to start the conversation.

Photography @katerobergephotography @danellebohane @loversbyrubyjayne @emilyrosehamilton