Wedding Traditions from around the World

Some couples like to try things from other places and other countries. Some wedding practices from other cultures around the world may be adapted for your wedding. The Philippines has its own unique traditions, such as releasing of doves, and pinning money onto the bride or groom as they dance. Now look and see what traditions here you might take ideas from. Here are a list of Wedding Traditions from around the World.

 

   Sharing Sake (rice wine) – Japan 

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Sawing a log together, to test the bond of the couple – Germany

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Henna tattoos to celebrate the love and joy of bride – India

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Kransekake cake from Norway – a layer cake built around a liquor bottle, that after guests peel off the cake layers, they can enjoy the liquor

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Stealing the groom’s shoes, India – done by the bride’s sisters, if the groom pays a bribe, the shoes are returned

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The mother of the bride breaks a white bell filled with flour, rice and grains for good luck and prosperity – Guatemala

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Family and friends smash dishware outside the homes of the bride and groom before the wedding night – Germany

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The groom wears a ring of flowers in Pakistan. The bride may do so as well.

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In Blackening, Scotland, the bride, groom or both are covered in ash, feathers, flour and other stuff on the day before the wedding, done by the family and friends. It was a way of warding off evil spirits.

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The parents of the bride and groom carry fire from their own fireplace in South Africa to the home of the newlyweds. In the Philippines other sources of fire could be used, such as a candle.

Photo credit to: Daniel West

Unity bowl, Australia – Guests are given stones to hold during the ceremony. After the ceremony, the guests place the stones in a bowl to symbolize their loyalty and support for the couple.

In China, the bride is carried on a bridal sedan chair to the wedding venue, with a full procession.

In Romania and Europe, the family and friends often play a game where the bride in “kidnapped.” The groom has to rescue her by paying a ransom, or being made to do certain tasks. In Wales, the bride is taken to a pub, then the groom comes to pay the bill.

In South Korea, grooms give the mother-in-law geese or ducks. The animals are monogamous, so they represent the expected loyalty and purity of the groom. In the modern day, facsimiles of ducks are given.