Ethnic wedding traditions - how to give a heads up?

Maybe put something on your website or spread it by word of mouth.

I thought the article was a little smarmy, but I am an old stick-in-the-mud

It might be a little odd to send the article. I think you could write something up (maybe using the article as a guide) that just includes the traditional aspects you're including and put it on your wedding website or in programs if you're using them. That way if you don't want to give the wrong expectation regarding cash or whatever you can just leave that part out.

You could write a little something and put it on your website. I wouldn't send them that article.

I think its fine but I wouldnt send it to them. Maybe have it as part of your program instead. Oh and delete the cash giving and who foot the bill sections. those would seem rude to me

Honestly, besides the halhole, none of that sounds that unique. I would maybe add the bottom descriptors to your wedding website but DEFINITELY take out the last two bullet points about who's paying for what. I don't even know why that's included, no one ever needs to know that besides the people writing the checks.

ETA - I agree with Tina regarding the tone of the article, it is a tad off-putting.

Okay, good to know. I'll just use it as a guide and put info on the site and maybe print something on the programs.

You could copy and paste the text of the article to a google doc, then include a link to the edited doc (without the cash-giving aspect and anything else you don't want to include) on your wedding website...

Are you including any of those traditions? I've heard the halhole sound before, at an Egyptian wedding. I didn't really think anything of it. I just assumed it was cultural. I didn't really feel like I needed an explanation for any of it.

Our ceremony will be Roman Catholic, so not really including the crowns or the halhole. We might wear the ribbon, I haven't decided yet. But the reception will include the halhole and the zeffa with the flute and drum. I;m trying to get my parents to call their guests and have them be on time so that we don't have a late dinner - i want to be on the dance floor before 9!

I mainly want people to know what to expect. At the reception, when we're called in (Zeffa), it's a huge deal - everyone is gathered around the entrance for the bride and groom to come in - lots of music and dancing. FH holds a cane and all the women hold a bedazzled handkerchief for dancing.

I'm kind of sensitive about it - I don't want people thinking it's weird and therefor taken aback or turned off. I also don't want guests feeling lost or estranged bc they dont know what's going on. So I just want to give them a heads up.

We put little blurbs about different traditions (he's from spain, I'm from the US) we were doing in our programs. In some cases we just told ppl individually, like when I told my mom that my MIL might wear a black mantilla veil to the wedding, as is the custom in Spain for your son's wedding)

She didn't wear one in the end, felt it'd be inappropriate for a US wedding, but she did wear a fascinator.

Since you are not doing all of the items listed in the article just reference those that are being used in your program. Granted most say programs are a waste of money, but because of the cultural aspects I think one would make your guests more comfortable. I did find the article interesting, so maybe you could post it on the website for interesting reading - you could even add a disclaim about the "gifting" aspect.