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If your marriage will be the union of two people and also the union of two cultures, then prepare to let your creative energies run wild! Weddings have been steeped in tradition and superstition for centuries and incorporating just a few of these charming ways can make your big day truly memorable. 

If you're not already familiar with the traditions of your native country or that of your partner, start by doing some research as soon as wedding bells are in the air. By chatting with your partner and your families or by visiting a local library you are likely to find that you can include international wedding traditions into everything from your engagement to your going-away finale. 

Among the easiest places to incorporate mixed traditions are the engagement ring, the couple's wedding clothes, the ceremony, gifts for guests, and music for the ceremony and reception food. Following are ideas for you to consider: 

Rings: The tradition of giving engagement rings began in ancient Egypt where the unbroken band of the ring was thought to symbolise eternity. In Greece the wedding band is placed on the ring finger of the right hand and in Taiwan it is traditional for the couple to exchange rings at their engagement party rather than at the marriage ceremony. Another idea you may want to consider is to have your engagement ring designed with a national symbol such as a Celtic cross or the "Ankh", which represents eternity in many African countries. 

Hen Party: When it comes to the bride's celebration of her engagement, whether it be called a bridal shower, a hen party or, the Finnish, "poltarit", the hilarity is often the same. While hen parties often involve "naughty" gifts for the bride many might prefer the style of the American celebration, where the bride is "showered" with simple, utilitarian gifts which she might need in her marriage - like scrubbing brushes, detergent and cleaning cloths! The bride's friends can decide whether to give fun or fabulous presents, and this may protect her from the embarrassment of receiving the "naughty" gifts in front of her mother or mother-in-law to be, if they are invited. 

Food: If you and your partner are thinking of serving any unusual or non-traditional foods on the day do allow yourselves extra time to choose a caterer or to select a reliable ethnic restaurant somewhere near you. Just because you want to ensure your wedding celebrations have a touch of the Orient, for example, doesn't mean you need to provide the traditional twelve course Chinese banquet. Look into serving traditional shark's fin soup, lotus seeds dessert or include a miniature version of the Chinese Tea Ceremony. 

Drink: If you would like to add a Japanese touch to your wedding you may find the traditional sharing of sake between the couple and their families more palatable than the tradition of allowing your ex-teachers to make a speech. Another tradition, this one Polish in origin, requires the bride's mother to give the couple two shot glasses, one containing colourless vodka and the other water. The bride and groom must drink this quickly and whoever gets the vodka is said to be the future breadwinner of the marriage. 

Superstitions: Superstitions for luck, love and fertility abound when it comes to weddings. To save all single women from pushing and shoving as they fight to catch the bouquet, why not try a far more civilised Finnish approach. In the Finnish "Dance of the Crowns" the Matron of Honour places a crown on the bride's head, blindfolds her, and spins her around. Friends and bridesmaids then circle the bride. The bride then takes off the crown and places it on the head of the person in front of her - according to tradition this will be the next woman to marry. In Italy the groom carries a piece of iron in his suit for good luck, although his luck runs short as later in the day his tie is cut into pieces and sold to guests to collect "honeymoon pocket money". In Greece, the bride places a sugar cube in her glove for good luck. In Italy the front of the going-away car is decorated with flowers to suggest the couple's rosy future together.