Today’s couples see weddings as more than celebrations. They’re also opportunities to tell a story. Personalization continues to take center stage, from curated color palettes and signature cocktails to meaningful rituals that reflect who you are as a couple. More and more, that includes honoring your roots and paying tribute to the people and places that came before you.

For some, that journey begins with the destination itself. Planning a wedding in your ancestors’ homeland can feel like a beautiful full-circle moment. But even if you can’t travel across the globe, there are still countless ways to weave your heritage into every detail of your day, no matter where you say “I do.” Here’s what a handful of industry pros recommend when it comes to planning a wedding that pays homage to your background.

Photo by Jasmin Marek Fotografie

Get Your Relatives’ Advice for Wedding Planning

Before diving into venue tours or Pinterest boards, start by connecting with your relatives. Your family members are your best resource when it comes to understanding your heritage and the customs that shaped generations before you.

Tap into family stories

Ask your parents, grandparents, or older relatives about their own weddings or cultural celebrations. Kevin Dennis of Fantasy Sound Event Services shares, “It may be easy to jump onto Google, but I always advise couples to seek out their older relatives and have conversations with them. Have them share stories with you- no doubt, an idea or two will spark as they expand more on your family lore.” You may discover traditions or small details that have been passed down for decades.

Preserve family heirlooms

Maybe there’s a veil, a piece of jewelry, or even a special song that has meaning in your family. Including these heirlooms in your day can be a subtle but powerful way to pay tribute to your roots.

Photo by DK Photofilms

Use it as a bonding experience

These chats are a chance to connect. Your loved ones will appreciate being included, and you’ll gain stories and insights that bring a whole new level of meaning to your celebration.

Talking to your closest family members grounds your wedding in history and love before any of the planning begins. The details that come next will feel that much more heartfelt!

Create Wedding Invitations With Nods to Your Heritage

Your invitations are the first glimpse into your story as a couple. They’re your chance to hint at your heritage and set the tone for the entire celebration.

Incorporate traditional motifs

Look for patterns, calligraphy styles, or colors that reflect your culture. “Pay homage to your cultural heritage from the very beginning, starting with the invitation suite,” recommends Sarona Farrell of Gloweddings. “Images, textural elements, or a sketch of the location is a wonderful way to introduce guests to your ancestry.”

Photo by The Hulls

Include your language 

If you or your families speak another language, consider adding a line or two in it, whether it’s a greeting, a quote, or a simple “I do.” It’s a thoughtful gesture that will mean a lot to relatives.

Set expectations

Should your wedding include cultural rituals or attire, your invitations can help prepare guests. A note on the dress code or a brief explanation of traditions can make everyone feel comfortable and included.

Stationery is the start of your story, so let it give guests a warm welcome to the celebration ahead.

Photo by Asteria Photography

Choose Wedding Traditions That Are Authentic to You

Weddings rooted in heritage are incredibly meaningful, but that doesn’t mean you have to include every tradition. The goal is to create a day that feels personal, not performative.

Honor both sides

If you and your partner come from different backgrounds, find ways to celebrate both. Combining customs can create an all-encompassing representation of unity and shared respect.

Pick what resonates

Customs that hold emotional significance deserve a proud place in your celebration, while those that don’t quite feel like “you” can be gracefully left out. Mary Angelini of Key Moment Films notes, “It’s okay to want to fully embrace your ancestral heritage, but also stay true to your own beliefs. History and heritage can carry traditions that feel problematic today, and it’s perfectly acceptable to set aside those that are no longer widely accepted. You can choose to embrace some traditions while leaving others behind.”

Photo by Petar Jurica

Mix modern and traditional

Consider wearing a classic outfit for the ceremony and changing into something contemporary for the reception. It’s your day, so make it a reflection of your story!

Authenticity always shines through. When your wedding reflects who you truly are, your guests will feel that joy right alongside you.

Find Vendors Who Respect Cultural Traditions

The right team can make or break how your cultural vision comes to life. Look for vendors who have experience but who also approach your traditions with genuine curiosity and respect.

Photo by Sylvia Guardia Photography

Ask the right questions

During interviews, share the customs that are important to you and gauge their reaction. A great vendor will be enthusiastic and eager to learn more about your vision.

Seek out culturally aware professionals

Experience makes all the difference, especially when your team includes someone familiar with your traditions or who understands the cultural nuances behind each moment. “If you’re planning a wedding with the goal of paying homage to your culture and ancestors, authenticity is key,” reminds Jamie Chang of Mango Muse Events. “And that doesn’t mean you can’t modernize a tradition, but honoring the meaning, the purpose, and the elements of those traditions is important. So, hiring the right vendors who know, understand, and respect those traditions is also important.”

Photo by Evgeni Efanov Photography

Pay attention to the caterer

Food is one of the most memorable ways to honor your heritage. Thomas Waters of The Renaissance says, “When selecting the catering team for your destination wedding, see if they are open to creating a dish or two to honor your family’s background. You may need to go further into specifics before a commitment is made, so take time to speak with members of your family prior to see what ideas they can pull from their own memories.”

Building a vendor team that values your traditions as much as you do will ensure you feel supported throughout the planning process.

Photo by Nate Howard & The Shalom Imaginative

Share the Cultural Significance of Each Moment

Every tradition, from a ceremonial dance to a symbolic exchange, carries deep meaning. Take the time to communicate those details with your team and guests so everyone understands the “why” behind them.

Educate your vendors

Let your photographer and videographer know about key cultural moments so they’re ready to capture them with care. “Share the cultural ‘why’ behind big moments, plus any must-do rituals with timing and who leads them,” emphasizes Craig Peterman of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “Provide a short pronunciation guide for names, a shot list for heirlooms or elders, and rules on modesty, alcohol, and sacred spaces.”

Photo by Terralogical

Include signage or programs

Short explanations about rituals or attire can help guests appreciate what’s happening in real time. It’s a lovely way to make your celebration feel inclusive.

Tell your story through your ceremony

Have your officiant or a loved one share the background behind certain traditions. It adds heart and storytelling to your ceremony, making every guest feel connected.

Helping everyone understand the purpose behind each custom makes the day feel more intentional, not only for you, but for every guest who experiences it.

Photo by Nate Howard & The Shalom Imaginative

Don’t Forget About Music for a Heritage Wedding

Music is often the soul of a celebration, and when it ties back to your roots, it can make your wedding unforgettable. Whether it’s the sounds of your ancestors’ homeland or a modern remix of a cultural favorite, music shapes the atmosphere that carries through your entire big day.

Incorporate traditional songs

Ask family members or musicians from your culture for recommendations. Even one or two songs can create powerful moments that bring your heritage to life.

Photo by Sandra of Atelier Åberg

Work with your DJ or band

Share the background of certain songs so they can help introduce them properly. Paula Ramirez of Mankin Mansion Wedding & Event Estate adds, “Music is another way that ancestral language is preserved. Perhaps there is a folk song or choral piece that would work well for your ceremony. If it’s challenging for the lyrics to be performed, discuss the idea with your musicians of them playing it instrumentally.”

Blend genres

Mix your favorite contemporary tracks with traditional ones. This creates a dance floor that feels both fun and deeply personal (something your guests will talk about for years to come!).

Music has a way of connecting generations and creating shared memories. Infusing your heritage into the soundtrack adds depth, turning every note into a reflection of who you are.

At its heart, planning a wedding in your ancestors’ homeland is all about connection. Every choice, from your invitations to your music, becomes a thread that ties your past to your present. By honoring your roots in ways that feel authentic to you, you’re celebrating a marriage while continuing a legacy. And that’s something worth toasting to!

Photo by Evgeni Efanov Photography