A traditional Maltese Wedding

Traditions, singing, dancing and more traditions

A traditional Maltese Wedding from the 16th century will be re-enacted in Bubaqra in the limits of Zurrieq on Saturday, 12th May. Weddings in Malta have always involved great celebrations, and this re-enactment will show how weddings used to be organised in the time of the Knights of Saint John, with epic costumes and highlighting the traditions related to winning a bride and taking her to the altar.

The activity will start when the mother of the bride places a flower pot on the window sill, signalling that her daughter is ready for marriage. The groom goes beneath the window together with a folk singer, who would sing to the bride. At the same time, the groom asks a matchmaker to talk to the bride's mother about his intentions. 

On the wedding day, the couple go to church under a canopy accompanied by musicians, while the guests dance and carry wedding gifts, that will be presented to the priest. After the church ceremony, a reception will be held, with traditional Maltese food, singing and dancing, adding to the merriment of this memorable occasion.

The Traditional Maltese Wedding will be organised by the Bubaqra Hamlet sub-committee within the Zurrieq Local Council in collaboration with the Cultural Committee within the St. Catherine's Band Club Zurrieq, and the support of the Malta Tourism Authority.