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Planning a Pagoda Wedding When it comes to planning a wedding, there are many different styles and themes to choose from. One unique option that couples may consider is a Pagoda wedding. A Pagoda wedding is a traditional and cultural ceremony that takes place in a Pagoda, a type of tower-like structure found in many Asian countries. The first step in planning a Pagoda wedding is to find the perfect location. Pagodas can be found in various places such as parks, gardens, or even on private properties. It is important to choose a Pagoda that has enough space to accommodate all the guests and provides a picturesque backdrop for the ceremony.

1st August – Lammas
Lammas means Loaf Mass and is the start of the harvet period, and traditionally the time when the first loaf was baked.

The year follows a cycle starting with birth symbolised by the Egg following through to death symbolised by the burning of effigies at the autumn cross quarter. The year follows a cycle starting with birth symbolised by the Egg following through to death symbolised by the burning of effigies at the autumn cross quarter.

It is important to choose a Pagoda that has enough space to accommodate all the guests and provides a picturesque backdrop for the ceremony. Once the location is finalized, the next step is to choose the date and time of the wedding. Pagoda weddings are often held in the early morning or late afternoon, as these times offer the most pleasant weather and lighting conditions.

Wiccan festival calendar

​October 31 SAMHAIN – Samhain is considered by most Wiccans to be the most important of the four ‘greater Sabbats’. It is generally observed on October 31st in the Northern Hemisphere, starting at sundown. Samhain is considered by most Wiccans as a celebration of death and of the dead, and it often involves paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets and other loved ones who have died. In some rituals the spirits of the departed are invited to attend the festivities. It is seen as a festival of darkness and death, which is balanced at the opposite point of the wheel by the spring festival of Beltane, which Wiccans celebrate as a festival of life and fertility.
On a personal side, my path as a hereditary witch holds that Samhain marks the beginning of turning of the wheel. I’ve always thought of Samhain as the Pagan New Year, and celebrate it as such.

December 22 WINTER SOLSTICE / YULE – Many Wiccan based sects favor a plethora of sources on winter solstice holidays to recreate a type of Yule holiday. While the name “Yule” is used, it is not a reconstruction of the historical holiday. Wreaths, Yule logs, decoration of trees, decorating with mistletoe, holly, and ivy, exchanges of presents, and even wassailing are incorporated and regarded as sacred. The return of the Sun as Frey is commemorated in some groups. In most Wiccan traditions, this holiday is also celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. The method of gathering for this sabbat varies by practitioner. Some have private ceremonies at home, while others do so with their covens. ​

February 2 IMBOLC – Wiccans celebrate a variation of Imbolc as one of four “fire festivals”, which make up half of the eight holidays of the Wheel of the Year. Imbolc is defined as a cross-quarter day, midway between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara). The precise astrological midpoint in the Northern hemisphere is when the sun reaches fifteen degrees of Aquarius. In the Southern hemisphere, if celebrated as the beginning of Spring, the date is the midpoint of Leo.
Among Dianic Wiccans, Imbolc (also known as “Candlemas”) is the traditional time for initiations. Among Reclaiming-style Wiccans, Imbolc is considered a traditional time for rededication and pledges for the coming year.

March 21 SPRING EQUINOX / OSTARA – Ostara is one of the four lesser Wiccan holidays or sabbats of the Wheel of the Year. Ostara is celebrated on the spring equinox, in the Northern hemisphere around March 21 and in the Southern hemisphere around September 23, depending upon the specific timing of the equinox. Among the Wiccan sabbats, it is preceded by Imbolc and followed by Beltane.
In the book Eight Sabbats for Witches by Janet and Stewart Farrar, the festival Ostara is characterized by the rejoining of the Mother Goddess and her lover-consort-son, who spent the winter months in death. Other variations include the young God regaining strength in his youth after being born at Yule, and the Goddess returning to her Maiden aspect.

May 1 BELTANE – Wiccans and Wiccan-inspired Neopagans celebrate a variation of Beltane as a sabbat, one of the eight solar holidays. Although the holiday may use features of the Gaelic Bealtaine, such as the bonfire, it bears more relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance (focusing on fertility) and its rituals (such as maypole dancing). Some Wiccans celebrate ‘High Beltaine’ by enacting a ritual union of the May Lord and Lady.
Among the Wiccan sabbats, Beltane is a cross-quarter day; it is celebrated in the northern hemisphere on May 1 and in the southern hemisphere on November 1. Beltane follows Ostara and precedes Midsummer (see the Wheel of the Year).

June 22 SUMMER SOLSTICE / MID-SUMMER / LITHA – Litha is one of the eight solar holidays or sabbats observed by Wiccans, though the New Forest traditions (those referred to as British Traditional Wicca) tend to use the name Midsummer. It is celebrated on the Summer Solstice, or close to it. The holiday is considered the turning point at which summer reaches its height and the sun shines longest. Among the Wiccan sabbats, Midsummer is preceded by Beltane, and followed by Lughnasadh or Lammas.

August 1 LUGHNASADH / LAMMAS – Lughnasadh is one of the eight “sabbats” or solar festivals in the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. It is the first of the three autumn harvest festivals, the other two being the Autumn equinox (or Mabon) and Samhain. Some Wiccans mark the holiday by baking a figure of the god in bread, and then symbolically sacrificing and eating it. The Celtic name seems to have been a late adoption among Wiccans, since in early versions of Wiccan literature the festival is merely referred to as “August Eve”.
Many Wiccans also use the name Lammas for the sabbat, taken from the Anglo-Saxon and Christian holiday which occurs at about the same time. As the name (from the Anglo-Saxon hlafmæsse “loaf-mass”, “loaves festival”) implies, it is an agrarian-based festival and feast of thanksgiving for grain and bread, which symbolizes the first fruits of the harvest. Wiccan and other eclectic Neopagan rituals may incorporate elements from either festival.

September 21 AUGUST EQUINOX / MABON – Mabon is the name used by some Wiccan traditions as well as some other forms of Neo-Paganism for one of the eight annual holidays central to their Beliefs. It is celebrated on the Autumnal Equinox, which in the northern hemisphere occurs on or around September 23rd (occasionally the 22nd). Many celebrate on the 21st since most early Wiccan and Neopagan sources reference this date as Mabon. Although due to Global Warming it no longer falls that early. In the southern hemisphere, the Autumnal Equinox occurs usually around March 21.
Also called Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, Meán Fómhair, or as Alban Elfed by Neo-Druidic traditions, this holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months. The name may derive from Mabon or Modron, a character from Welsh mythology, although the connection is unclear.

It is also important to check if the chosen date clashes with any local events that may affect the availability of the Pagoda or cause traffic congestion. After the date and time are determined, the couple can start planning the details of the ceremony. Traditional elements of a Pagoda wedding include a red and gold color scheme, as these are considered auspicious in many Asian cultures. Decorations such as lanterns, flowers, and incense can also be added to create a festive atmosphere. The couple should also consider hiring a traditional Asian-styled wedding officiant who is familiar with Pagoda weddings. This person will guide the couple through the traditional ceremony and perform the necessary rituals. It is important to discuss the details of the ceremony with the officiant to ensure that all the traditional elements are included. In addition to the ceremony, couples may also choose to have a reception following the Pagoda wedding. The reception can be held in a separate venue and can include traditional Asian cuisine, music, and dances. It is important to work closely with a wedding planner or caterer who has experience with Asian weddings to ensure that all the cultural elements are properly incorporated. Lastly, it is important to consider the attire for a Pagoda wedding. Brides may choose to wear a traditional Asian-inspired wedding dress, such as a cheongsam or a kimono. Grooms can opt for a traditional Asian suit or attire that complements the bride's outfit. It is also important to discuss attire guidelines with the wedding officiant to ensure that the couple follows any specific cultural norms. In conclusion, planning a Pagoda wedding can be an exciting and unique experience. From choosing the location and date to incorporating traditional elements into the ceremony, there are many details to consider. By working closely with experienced professionals and being mindful of cultural traditions, couples can create a memorable and meaningful Pagoda wedding..

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