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
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjn2LuvnLPiAhWO-mEKHX3WCFIQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.herworld.com%2Fweddings%2Fideas-advice%2Fmeaningful-asian-wedding-traditions-singapore&psig=AOvVaw3yeLsTzRfFQz5UFpizK6z0&ust=1558754311868145
Sawing a log together, to test the bond of the couple – Germany
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjYl8zdpLPiAhXMfd4KHUQAB08QjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwindowseat.ph%2Fwedding-traditions-around-the-world%2Fwedding-traditions-around-the-world-germany-sawing-a-log%2F&psig=AOvVaw21lgk5yXZoP2zE22hRnlw9&ust=1558756067543704
Henna tattoos to celebrate the love and joy of bride – India
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwittt7spbPiAhWLFYgKHb70CHoQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=%2Furl%3Fsa%3Di%26source%3Dimages%26cd%3D%26ved%3D%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.mnn.com%252Flifestyle%252Farts-culture%252Fstories%252Fhow-throw-henna-party%26psig%3DAOvVaw3lcF9LvOeWVLWuID679VbR%26ust%3D1558757285898365&psig=AOvVaw3lcF9LvOeWVLWuID679VbR&ust=1558757285898365
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
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi_uomGp7PiAhVIQd4KHboMDMEQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nordicfoxdesignco.com%2Fblog%2F2018%2F5%2F9%2Fkransekake-traditional-norwegian-wedding-cake&psig=AOvVaw1u9NMBtD0Pd0lSOtJbUsjS&ust=1558757685444867
Stealing the groom’s shoes, India – done by the bride’s sisters, if the groom pays a bribe, the shoes are returned
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiw65nTqLPiAhWXF4gKHc6nATUQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.carriagesevents.co.uk%2Fjootachupai-6-clever-ways-to-steal-the-grooms-shoes-at-an-indian-wedding%2F&psig=AOvVaw3CAOH287-ukwB0uyrQLR-K&ust=1558758048182200
The mother of the bride breaks a white bell filled with flour, rice and grains for good luck and prosperity – Guatemala
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjgpp2wtLPiAhXOP3AKHWjRBqEQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fweddingstoriy.wordpress.com%2F2017%2F10%2F30%2Fextraordinary-wedding-traditions-from-around-the-globe%2F&psig=AOvVaw0uC2bXuSWx1ESRbkZIFtD0&ust=1558761246705136
Family and friends smash dishware outside the homes of the bride and groom before the wedding night – Germany
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwijzs_itbPiAhUa7mEKHfhZClgQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.poptens.com%2F2012%2F07%2F18%2Ftop-10-weirdest-traditions-in-the-world%2F&psig=AOvVaw0wP9CgekNJMhM5KMkwO7hb&ust=1558761638087264
The groom wears a ring of flowers in Pakistan. The bride may do so as well.
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjK3fWcvLPiAhXHxLwKHbRSBWgQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Faboutislam.net%2Ffamily-life%2Fculture%2F1605-2%2F&psig=AOvVaw1543EhS8G468PBjluby_S0&ust=1558763369088017
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.
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiz-On6vLPiAhWDP3AKHbRpBLkQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmyexploringlife.com%2Fthe-10-most-interesting-and-unusual-wedding-traditions-around-the-world-exploring-life%2F&psig=AOvVaw0zh_kXr1LiLGBnMgAym0tw&ust=1558763518878959
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.
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwin8qy7v7PiAhXEBIgKHTX2CwYQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdanielwest.photo%2Fdt_gallery%2Frowan-christina-wedding%2Fmongena-game-lodge-wedding-daniel-west-wedding-photographer-christina-rowan-3908%2F&psig=AOvVaw1LVPWGm5LXsJQPBS_7sqOC&ust=1558764237844078
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.
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjE66uswLPiAhXZA4gKHQAsD_oQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jhunettelopez.com.au%2Fspecial-ceremonies&psig=AOvVaw14o13x1VCdpZOEOqO7qAnQ&ust=1558764423052606
In China, the bride is carried on a bridal sedan chair to the wedding venue, with a full procession.
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiN6IzHwbPiAhXPdXAKHfyCDCAQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wedding.com.my%2Fbridal%2Fflowers%2Fbabysbreath-decor-design%2Fchinese-bridal-sedan-chair%2F1150&psig=AOvVaw0mJMajRpbKzzFLg-J3bsRK&ust=1558764703473770
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.
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjwksqqyLPiAhUVUN4KHVA3Dh0QjRx6BAgBEAU&url=%2Furl%3Fsa%3Di%26source%3Dimages%26cd%3D%26ved%3D%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%252Ffemail%252Farticle-2197785%252FThere-goes-bride-The-bizarre-Romanian-custom-staging-mock-kidnappings-weddings.html%26psig%3DAOvVaw3b4bWOz9ANs6VroSibVO7C%26ust%3D1558766399976117&psig=AOvVaw3b4bWOz9ANs6VroSibVO7C&ust=1558766399976117
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.
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjO6pvXyrPiAhXHa94KHSwlAmgQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=%2Furl%3Fsa%3Di%26source%3Dimages%26cd%3D%26ved%3D%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.preownedweddingdresses.com%252Fblog%252Freal-wedding-jihee-david-2%26psig%3DAOvVaw0j8EZEgmN61fWyu4PhlNHs%26ust%3D1558767189014351&psig=AOvVaw0j8EZEgmN61fWyu4PhlNHs&ust=1558767189014351
