There’s no denying the fact- the joy that a wedding brings is universal, irrespective of cultures and traditions. And while the celebratory fervour is unanimous, the modes of expressing it are often varied and unique. Every country boasts a wealth of time-honoured wedding customs that have been lovingly preserved and practiced through the generations. In this blog, we are going to share with you some of the most unconventional traditions across the world.
China: Bows and Arrows
Let your husband-to- be have a little fun like they do in China. Even though the groom shoots
the bride with a bow and arrow several times, she’ll be perfectly safe. Then he just collects
the arrows and breaks them during the ceremony so their love will last forever.
India: Stealing the Groom’s Shoes
Give the bride’s sisters a little more fun in an Indian wedding as they steal the groom’s shoes once he enters the wedding tent. The groom then has to bribe the sisters to get those shoes back!
Germany: Polterabend
In Germany, hen parties and stag nights grew out of the Polterabend tradition. Basically,family and friends smash dishware outside the homes of the bride and groom the night before the wedding and the bride and groom will have to clean it up together.
Mexico: Two Bouquets
If you’re catholic, you might like this tradition especially. By carrying two bouquets, you can have one for yourself and one as a tribute to the Virgin Mary.
Some traditions seem a little strange to us while others would be a welcome change to traditional ceremonies. Either way, every one of these ceremonies represents the love newlyweds have for one another, no matter what country they’re from!
Armenia: Balance Bread
Want to keep evil spirits far away from your marriage? Balance lavash flatbread on your shoulders. That’s what newly married Armenian couples traditionally do. According to the custom, when the bride and groom enter their wedding reception—typically at the groom’s house—they break a plate for good luck, then are given lavash and honey by the groom’s mother. They balance the bread on their shoulders to ward off evil and eat spoonfuls of honey to symbolize happiness, and then the party really starts.
Scotland: Eloping
Centuries ago, England restricted marriage to couples who were 21 and over. But that didn’t stop young lovers from finding a loophole—in this case, a nearby Scottish town without such limitations. Today, that village, Gretna Green, is still popular for couples who want to elope.
Guatemala: Breaking a Bell
As wedding reception hosts, the parents of Guatemalan grooms can do whatever they want, including smashing things. When the newlyweds arrive, it’s a tradition that the groom’s mom breaks a white ceramic bell filled with grains like rice and flour to bring prosperity to the couple.
Czech Republic: Placing a Baby on the Couple’s Bed
Before a Czech bride and groom tie the knot, an infant is placed on the couple’s bed to bless and enhance their fertility. Once they’ve wed, guests shower them with rice, peas, or lentils—also to promote fertility.
French Polynesia: Newlyweds Step on Relatives
On the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia, once the wedding has come to an end, the relatives of the bride lay side-by-side, face down on the ground, while the bride and groom walk over them like a human rug.
Romania: Hiding the Bride
In Romania, before the wedding, guests work together to playfully “abduct” the bride, whisking her away to an undisclosed location and demanding a “ransom” from the groom. Typical requests? A few bottles of alcohol, or—for those looking to really make the groom sweat—singing a love song in front of the entire party.
Wales: Lovespoons
Back in the day, when a Welshman fell in love and was ready to commit, he carved spoons from wood, called “lovespoons,” and gave them to his beloved. Decorations included keys, signifying the key to his heart, and beads, symbolizing the number of children he was hoping for.
Spain: Cutting the Tie
At some Spanish weddings, the groom’s friends will take scissors and chop up his tie, then sell the pieces to guests to raise more money for the newlyweds. The same practice is sometimes applied to the bride’s garter, as well. Anything for a few extra money!
