Introduction
One of the most amazing things about our world is how the same action or tradition is performed so differently in every culture. Take the example of marriage; it’s done all over the world, but the way weddings are held varies widely between cultures.
If you’re marrying someone from another country or simply attending a destination wedding, you may experience some of these differences. Of course, not all weddings in all countries are the same, and not everyone follows these traditions.
For example, Indian weddings are all about designer bridal wear, designer Mangalsutras, mehndi ceremony and much more. These types of ceremonies are not experienced in any other wedding tradition around the world. Similarly, the Nigerian wedding tradition is well known for its money shower tradition, which is not experienced anywhere around the world.
From these examples, we can conclude that the wedding traditions differ from country to country and culture to culture. In this article, we have presented a few of the many different wedding traditions around the world. Hope you enjoy it!
- Mehndi First (India)
In India, brides often spend hours applying mehndi, instead of wearing hand jewellery. While it takes a lot of patience, the result is a beautiful work of art that lasts about two weeks on the skin.
Interestingly, mehndi is actually applied to the bride because of its therapeutic properties. It is meant to help soothe the bridge while dealing with the anxiety of the wedding day. Interesting!
- No one will “wine” about the cake (Norway)
If you are attending a wedding in Norway, you will love cakes for two reasons. To start, a traditional wedding cake, called a kransekake, is created by placing rings of glazed marzipan on top of each other to form a cone. To make it even better in the centre of this hollow cake, you will find gifts, such as a bottle of champagne or wine.
One more fascinating ceremony is that the bride and spouse will take the top ring of the cake. There is folklore in Norway that the number of layers that will stick at the bottom is the number of children the couple will have. How does it even relate?
- Pay to dance with the bride (Cuba)
Although the bride often dances with her many guests across cultures, in Cuba you have to pay if you want to dance with the bride. Traditionally, each man who dances with the bride is asked to pin some money onto her dress. The reason behind this custom is to help happy couples pay for weddings and honeymoons. I am not doing that thank you!
- A couple’s strength is tested (Germany)
While still wearing their wedding clothes, German newlyweds have to split the log in half while all their guests watch them according to a ritual known as Baumstamm Sägen. With a saw for two, the tradition is meant to symbolize how the couple will work together when they face obstacles in their marriage. Seriously?
- Free the doves (Philippines)
Doves are a symbol of peace and harmony and so in the Philippines, after the wedding ceremony, it is tradition for the newlyweds to free two doves, a male and a female. Doves are indicated to symbolise a harmonious life ahead for the couple. It is peaceful proof of the newlyweds’ love.
- No Dad, Don’t Spit on me! But, it’s a tradition sweetie! (Maasai people of Kenya)
If you go to a wedding in Kenya, the day could end with the bride’s father spitting at the bride for good luck. Gross! Hope does not sabotage the marriage, doing this is goodwill. For the Maasai people of Kenya, spitting at someone is considered a sign of respect. I mean like, what? Why?
- Money Shower (Nigeria)
Wedding guests in Nigeria are not terrified to make the money rain. According to tradition, guests will “shower” or throw the money at the bride and groom. It’s a gesture to show the couple’s happiness for them and also to keep them on the dance floor. I want this tradition in my country!
- A Tea Ceremony (China)
Weddings in China include a ceremony which is aspired to bring families together. According to history, the bride would serve tea to her family before the wedding ceremony and after the ceremony, the couple would perform a tea ceremony for the groom’s family.
But nowadays, the tea ceremony is often given to pay respects to both sides of the family. This can be done privately directly after the wedding ceremony, the day after the wedding or even between the ceremony and reception with all the guests present.
During the ceremony, loved ones including grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles are given a cup of tea and everyone takes a sip. After drinking, each relative hands the couple a check, or red envelope, in which there is money, jewellery, or another token, and the envelope is placed on a tea tray.
The ritual is a way for the bride and groom to express their love and appreciation to their loved ones who have raised and cared for them and later a special moment is shared with their family to give blessings. This is also the first time that the bride and groom address each other with new titles. Nice!
- Single ladies may find love in the cake (Peru)
According to a ritual in Peru, wedding cakes are prepared with ribbons protruding from one side. Each ribbon is attached to an amulet, but one of them has something more to it: a fake wedding ring. If you’re a single woman and served a piece of cake stuffed with the wedding ring, Congratulations you’re supposed to be the next one to get married. Can I have the piece of cake too, Please?
- A Whale Tooth proposal (Fiji)
All around the world we have seen that the groom often asks the bride’s father for approval to marry her. But in Fiji, it usually means a little something different. According to The New York Times, the groom and his family often give the father of the bride a tabua tooth, or sperm whale’s tooth, when he asks for approval. Although this ritual is more common in rural regions, it is practised universally in Fiji. I am just speechless!
- It is not just a Wedding Cake (France)
Weddings cakes are very common in all western countries but at French weddings, you will be served a cake called Croquembouche, which is prepared by stacking the small pastries together on top of each other. I am craving that wedding cake!
- The Bride is Kidnapped (Romania)
In Romania, if the bride can’t be found, it doesn’t necessarily mean that she does not want to marry and run away. In fact, it is a ceremony for the bride to be “kidnapped” by friends and family prior to the wedding ceremony. To pick up the bride, the groom must pay her ransom by acts like buying a drink or performing romantic gestures. What if the bride actually gets kidnapped? Oopsie
Conclusion
Getting married is a very beautiful feeling. In India, there is a saying, “Marriage is such a laddoo (sweet) that, one who eats regrets and one who does not eat also regrets.” Funny, isn’t it?
This article was to present some amazing wedding traditions which are conducted all around the world. We really hope that you readers enjoyed this informative blog.
