8 Amazing Wedding Traditions from Around the World

All weddings are unique and special in their own way. Each region and every community has its own set of traditions and customs that are considered to be sacred and hence, carried out at weddings. Many of these customs can be related to fertility, stability or prosperity.

You will be surprised how creative some communities are when it comes to carrying out and participating in some of these wedding rituals. Read ahead to know some really amazing wedding traditions that take place around the world:

Armenia: A Balancing Act

Image Source: Wikimedia Common

In Armenia, once the bride and groom complete the wedding ceremony and make their way to the reception, they break a plate for good luck, then they are given lavash and honey by the groom’s mother. They have to balance the bread on their shoulders to ward off evil and eat spoonfuls of honey, symbolising happiness.

Germany: Polterabend

On the wedding day, guests and family break a number of porcelain objects since it is considered good luck and ward off evil spirits. Glass is not broken since glass symbolises happiness. Once the broken mess has been created, the bride and groom are expected to clean up the mess together, learning that married life will not be easy but by working together they can overcome any challenge. 

Japan: Dressed in White

Image Source: Nounou

We all are aware of the tradition in Western culture where the bride wears a white gown and the colour signifies her maiden status. This holds true for Japanese brides as well. In Japan, the bride is dressed in white from head to toe, including the makeup and a hood called a tsunokakushi. Translated, tsunokakushi means horn-hiding and is meant to hide the horns of jealousy which the bride feels towards her mother-in-law.

Norway: Eat Your Cake and Drink it Too

Image Source: Maria Assia

No doubt, food is an integral part of any wedding. People look forward to the feast that features a number of local dishes, drinks and desserts. But what if I told you that in Norway, there is a dessert that you start with eating and end with drinking? At a typical Norwegian wedding, kransekake is served. These are iced almond ring-cakes stacked up together to form a cone. This tower encases a bottle of wine which is to be had with and after the cake. 

Venezuela: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Image Source: Nicola Dawson Photography

In a Venezuelan wedding, it is considered good luck if the bride and groom can sneak out of their reception unnoticed. It is also considered good luck when someone realises that the newlyweds have successfully made their exit!

Wales: A Spoon for my Love

Image Source: Of the Forest

Back in the day, a Welsh man used to profess his love for his beloved by presenting her with a wooden spoon. This also signified that he was ready to get married and settle down with her. These ‘lovespoons’ used to include keys and beads – keys signifying the key to his hearts and beads denoting the number of children he wanted to his with her.

Italy: La Serenata

Like a page out of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, the groom will turn up under or outside his bride’s window and serenade her. The la serenata will then escalate into a full-fledged party which includes enjoying a grand feast with close friends and family. 

Mexico: Lasso Your Heart

Image Source: Kindred Souls Photography

When the Mexican bride and groom are exchanging their vows, the minister drapes a lasso, made of rosary beads or flowers around their shoulders in the shape of a figure eight. The number 8 is also a symbol for infinity. This represents the unity between the couple and the infinity sign symbolises that the marriage should last forever.

Which is your favourite wedding tradition from the above?