Every couple ties the knot differently. Some take this phrase literally with a traditional handfasting ceremony, others are sure to carry "something old, something new, something, borrowed, something blue" down the aisle. Wedding guests in Germany shatter porcelain dishes to ward off evil spirits, while Hungarian brides swap their white dress for a red one at the stroke of midnight.
Because the world is such a beautiful and diverse place, there are too many traditions to sum up in one article. However, these are some of our favorites, representing joy, stability, and trust.
Commitment And Trust
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Speaking of trust, the koumbaro, or best man in a Greek wedding takes his role as groomsman seriously. Before the groom suits up for his trip down the aisle, he's treated to a shave by his best man—sorry mustachioed men! This ceremony demonstrates the deep trust between the two, proving that commitment isn't always romantic.
If you're getting married in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you better have a good poker face. To prove that the couple are serious about the marriage, they must not smile from the beginning of the ceremony to the end of the reception—not even in photos! Thankfully, there's no rule about guests keeping their smiles in check.
Some cultures incorporate animals into weddings. In Filipino weddings, a pair of white dove—one male and one female—are released during the reception, symbolizing peace and harmony. For the Taureg people of West Africa, whose lives are tied to the Sahara, a trained camel takes to the dance floor, grooving to a drumbeat.
Putting Your Best Foot Forward
One thing that's universal about wedding culture around the world is the importance of a good outfit.
Chinese brides change their outfit at least three times throughout the wedding. There's a dress for the ceremony, a dress for the reception, and a dress for the end of the evening. Red is the traditional color as it symbolizes prosperity.
While Indian weddings are known for beautiful saris and mendhi parties, but the bride isn't the only one who gets blinged out. Punjabi grooms remove their shoes during the ceremony—and have to bargain with their new in-laws to get them back! Not only is this a playful exchange between new families, but it also allows the bride's sisters and cousins to mourn their loss.
In Romania, the wedding party takes things a bit further by kidnapping the bride! Prior to the ceremony, guests whisk her away (usually to a club) and demand a ransom for her safe return. Normally, the ransom is a few bottles of alcohol or a special waltz at the wedding.
Kicking Up Your Heels
We can't talk about wedding dances without mentioning one of our favorite traditions. An Irish bride must always keep one foot on the dancefloor, no matter how rowdy things get. If she kicks up both heels, the fair folk will steal her away from her spouse.
Another dance tradition found around the world is the money dance. In Mexico, anyone who dances with either half of the lucky couple must pin money to their outfit to help finance future expenses. In Nigeria, guests show their generosity by make it rain freshly-minted banknotes during the first dance.
Were there any iconic wedding traditions we missed out on? Anything you did to make your wedding unique? Let us know in the comments!
