Weddings are one of the biggest Life Occasions around – and they are by no means “one size fits all.” Around the world, wedding traditions surrounding this happy event are as varied as there are places on the map. In the Congo, for example, couples are forbidden to smile throughout the entire wedding ceremony (to show how seriously they’re taking their commitment). In Greece, the groom’s best friend gives him a shave on the big day.
Those are just a few interesting wedding traditions from around the world; here are a few more.
CHINA: FORTUNE TELLERS WANTED
Back in the day, Chinese brides were escorted to the groom’s home in an elaborate sedan chair. Her attendants would toss rice her way (symbolizing prosperity and good health), and shield her from public view with parasols. She would also be accompanied by a “good-luck” woman along the route. These days, Chinese couples still look for the luckiest dates to wed. A fortune teller is routinely hired to examine how well-matched a couple is, and the Chinese Almanac is consulted to pick the best dates for the marriage ceremony.
SCOTLAND: WEDDINGS ARE A DIRTY JOB
An old tradition in Scotland is called “blackening the bride.” The poor girl is “kidnapped” by her friends before the ceremony, and taken out for a big night of partying. But it doesn’t end there: she is then the target of all kinds of trash: dead fish, spoiled milk, feathers – any nasty piece of garbage you can think of is thrown at her. Then, she’s tied to a tree for a bit. The idea behind this tradition is, if she can deal with that, she can deal with whatever comes her way in the marriage.
SPAIN: HOPE THAT WASN’T YOUR FAVORITE ONE…
At many Spanish wedding receptions, the groom’s closest friends descend upon him with a pair of scissors and cut up his tie. Those small pieces are then “auctioned” to the guests – because each piece is supposed to bring amazing good luck.
MAURITIUS: BABY GOT BACK
We’re so used to the idea of American brides working hard to lose weight for their Big Day, that this custom may seem weird. On this island nation located in the Indian Ocean, brides-to-be are given the keys to the buffet and ordered to chow down all the way up to their wedding day. Because gaining weight is The Thing. The reason? A chubby bride reflects positively on the groom: he’s seen as “rich,” able to afford all the food she/he/they will ever want. Bring on the cupcakes.
GERMANY: A SMASHING TRADITION
German brides get an early start. After the birth of a girl, a few trees are planted in her honor. Once she’s grown and has set a date for her wedding, those trees are “sold” to help build up her dowry. Upon her wedding day, guests do their bit to help solidify the new couple’s bond by breaking a ton of porcelain dishes. The reason is two-fold: one, the noise wards off any evil spirits. And second? Cleaning up the mess together lets them know they can “clean up” any troubles that may come their way.
JAPAN: A REALLY “WHITE WEDDING”
In the land of the Rising Sun, brides who participate in a Shinto religious ceremony take the concept of “white” to a whole new level. The bride wears a white kimono, elaborate white makeup – even a white hood to hide the “horns of jealousy” (representing how she supposedly feels about her new mother-in-law). Over the course of the wedding reception, she’ll do a few costume changes, starting with a red kimono – and ending with a Western-style dress. Of course, sake is involved in the ceremony: once the new husband and wife share their first sip, it’s representative of their union.
WALES: TAKE MY SPOON, PLEASE
An old Welsh tradition is for a man to carve himself a wooden spoon, then give it to the woman he wants to make his bride. If she accepts it, they’re officially engaged. On the wedding day, the bride weaves myrtle into her bouquet – and gives cuttings to her bridesmaids. Those bridesmaids take the myrtle cutting and plant it; when it blooms, she’s guaranteed to marry soon.
CZECH REPUBLIC: NO RUSH OR ANYTHING…
Before the wedding ceremony, someone finds an infant baby and lets it hang out on the bed of the future couple as a way to boost their fertility. For an extra nudge, their guests will throw either peas, rice or dried lentils at them (all three are rumored to boost reproductive power).
NORWAY: WHAT’S THAT SOUND?
Many traditional brides in Norway wear a sparkly crown featuring small, spoon-shaped charms. The idea is the motion and sound of those tiny charms wards off any negative energy. Many brides also opt to wear a silver gown (or at least one with heavy silver accents). As for the groom? They wear something called a “bundas,” a hand-made woolen suit. Hope they’re not getting married in the summer…
SOUTHERN UNITED STATES: DRINK UP
Bourbon is a “thing” in many parts of the American South. And in some of those areas, they use it as a good luck charm. About a month before the wedding, the bride and groom take a full bottle of good bourbon and bury it upside down near the location where the ceremony is scheduled to take place. The idea being, it will ensure good weather for the Big Day plus good fortune overall. At the reception, that bottle is dug up and shared among the guests. Cheers!
Something that’s becoming a “new” tradition is opting for a dazzling cubic zirconia wedding ring. It’s nearly indistinguishable from a diamond and far more affordable. No wonder even the wealthiest brides are opting for this beautiful (and smart!) choice in wedding rings. Let Birkat Elyon show you the range of gorgeous options available.