Bernard Paul

Bernard Paul is a writer and editor for You Can Officiate. He lives in Berlin and enjoys playing the bass and painting in his free time.

Ten Russian Wedding Traditions

Russia is the largest country in the world with a rich culture and many different influences and traditions. In this article we’ll talk about some Russian wedding traditions unique to the motherland.

Russian Couple Celebrate Out on a Boat (Photo by Vladimir Chake)

1. Taking The Bride Ransom

In some cultures, the idea of paying a ransom to get the …

Snoop Dogg’s Wedding Gift

Talk about pulling out all the stops on a wedding present. At his interview on the Jennifer Hudson Show on December 2, the rapper and world celebrity announced that he’d be presenting his daughter with a “most over-the-top gift he’s ever given her.” 

Hundred Dollar Bills

Snoop took his time in letting the crowd know exactly what this gift would …

What is a Wedding Registry?

If you’re wondering what the heck a wedding registry is, then you’ve come to the right place. Like pretty much any other wedding tradition, the registry is deeply rooted in historical traditions. In this article we’ll discuss how the whole tradition began. Then we’ll talk about how you can expect a modern registry to look, and some unique ideas for

Eight Korean Wedding Traditions

Maybe you’re planning on attending a Korean wedding or perhaps you like the idea of including a few Korean customs into your own wedding. From gift-giving, elegant clothing and delicious food Korean culture has a rich and beautiful wedding tradition. This article will explore some of these unique Korean Wedding traditions. 

Korean Bridesmaid in Traditional Wedding Dress

1. Matchmakers

In …

10 Indian Wedding Traditions

If you’ve ever attended an Indian wedding you’ll already know that they are steeped in ancient cultural traditions and come with a lot of color, plenty of laughter, food and dancing. In this article we’ll explore ten unique aspects of the Indian wedding tradition. 

Indian Couple In Traditional Wedding Attire

First of all, it is important to note that wedding …

Important Japanese Wedding Traditions

Although modern Japanese weddings these days are heavily influenced by Western culture, traditional cultural elements still influence current wedding traditions. Due to the influence of popular culture, many Japanese couples preferrer celebrating Christian-style weddings. Shinto weddings, which celebrate the religion native to Japan, account for only about twenty percent of all weddings. In this article we’ll explore some Japanese wedding …

What Is Semi-Formal Wedding Attire?

So, your friends have sent out a wedding invitation and asked that you wear “semi-formal wedding attire.” You might be asking yourself ‘what the heck does that mean?’ 

The definition of ‘semi-formal’ can mean a lot of different things to different people. Generally, couples want to spare you the cost of renting an expensive tuxedo or buying a brand new …

Ten Chinese Wedding Traditions

Filled with rituals that stem from ancient traditions, delicious food, and displays of elegance, Chinese weddings celebrate love in a unique and beautiful fashion. In this article we’ll explore ten of the most fascinating Chinese wedding traditions.

Traditional Chinese Couple Pose For Wedding Photo

1. Engagement Ceremony

The Guo Da Li, or engagement ceremony, takes place two to four weeks …

12 German Wedding Traditions

If you have German heritage you might want to include some German traditions into your wedding. This is a meaningful way to honor your culture and family and create special memories as a couple! From the Polterabend to Baumstammsägen, there are a ton of cool elements to choose from. 

Let’s dive right in and explore some fun traditions!

German Couple

Eight Popular Mexican Wedding Traditions

If you are planning on attending a Mexican wedding or want to include some Mexican traditions in your own wedding, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we’ll explore eight of the most popular wedding traditions celebrated in Mexico. 

A Mexican Couple Pose for Wedding Photos

Mexico’s wedding culture is strongly influence by Catholicism, so many of the …