A Bajan Wedding
Enjoy this informative look at wedding traditions in Barbados from Food Innovation Lab Graduate Assistant, Toni Simpson.
Weddings have always been a time of joy, where two families are joined by two people in love. Traditions have been passed from generation to generation but in recent times some of these traditions are merely seen as memories of the past. Recently my sister was married in my beautiful home country Barbados. Known for its beautiful, white sandy beaches and wide culinary landscape, Barbados is the place for destination weddings. People from all over the world, come to our shores to be married with palm trees swaying in the background, melodious notes of steel pan coupled with the aroma of sea wafting in the breeze with a glass of liquid gold- rum in their hands.
Rum is a fitting drink as Barbados is known as its birthplace and is steeped in history. Since the invention, rum has taken its place as one of the most loved beverages of all time. Of course, history and rum played an important role in my sister’s wedding! Rum is the byproduct of sugar cane grown on our island. Due to its temperate weather conditions, rainfall and alkaline-rich soils, Barbados has grown sugarcane for centuries and has provided a platform for sugarcane production. At one time, it is said that there were over five hundred sugar plantations on island. Today there are not many in the conventional form, but they certainly exist in a more contemporary format. In another post we will talk about the remaining plantations and how they survive in this modern age.
Traditionally weddings in Barbados were held in a church associated with the bride’s family. In this 21st century wedding. In keeping with the bride and groom’s interest, this wedding was held at FourSquare Rum Distillery and Heritage Park, one of the leading distilleries on the island. https://www.fanelliwarehousing.com/ This charming venue offered a deep dive into sugar history and in another modern twist, guests could roam/ tour the premises while the pictures were taken. The desserts, mousses, assorted cheesecakes, panna cottas with coral tuile and our family’s famous carrot cake- also a toast to the modern, were placed on bread carts, throughout a lushly landscaped oasis of travelers’ palms set alight with blue and gold the colors of the wedding. Speaking of toasts, instead of the wine, glow sticks were broken and waved at the end of each speech- to in the words of the bride “light our future”.
Donkey carts and horse driven carriages gave way to a plush limousine. A traditional rich fruit cake embellished with royal icing and dragées gave way to today’s fondant geode trend. Gifts of household items such as sheets and crockery were substituted for monetary ones, traditional guest favors of Jordan almonds wrapped in tulle were replaced by sugar cookies dipped in royal icing and sprinkled with gold glitter. Food, an integral part of the Bajan wedding, was usually a massive buffet prepared by family members. It consisted of the customary fare- rice and peas, macaroni pie, sweet potato pie, a stew normally of a mutton, beef or pork or a combination of the three; roast pork, ham, fish, vegetables and a multitude of desserts served by family members! This 21st century wedding’s menu featured what the bride and groom loved- pasta with a variety of sauces ranging from rich tomatoey bolognese, herbaceous pesto, cheesy alfredo with toppings of grilled chicken, sautéed garlicky shrimp and roasted vegetables prepared by a chef and served by his team.
A surprise planned by the bride and her twin, kicked off the evenings dancing. Strains of a melodious flute and pennywhistle, penetrating shrill of a snare drum mixed with the deafening thunder of a bass drum permeated the air as the guests were chaperoned to the dessert and dance area. There, they were treated to a performance of epic proportions by the music of the surprise Tuk band and the acrobatic, mischievous shenanigans of the green monkey (a man dressed in costume imitating the movements of a monkey). This scene delighted the guests so much so that they dubbed the event, “the wedding of the century!”.