We’ve written about traditions and where they come from, but of course, that post was about the United States. With a bit of the UK thrown in since we tend to be so influenced by them. But how does it look when people get married in Japan today (like here)? Or India (here)? Let’s take a look at wedding traditions from around the world.
This isn’t just interesting, right? This is also inspirational. Isn’t everyone looking for a way to make their wedding memorable? You might not want to totally copy something from another country — or maybe you do, especially if it comes from your heritage. But these ideas might set off a chain reaction in your planning brain.
Let’s first take a look at wedding traditions from around the world that are shared across cultures.
Commonly held wedding traditions
The red dress
In Hungary, after the wedding ceremony itself, the bride will change into a red dress to signify she’s now a married woman. (Kinda love this…)
But in some countries, red is worn as the wedding dress itself, for a variety of reasons.
You might know that in China, red wedding dresses are a long tradition that goes back to the Ming Dynasty. Red is thought to bring good luck and is considered a joyful color.
In India, a bride might wear a red sari. It’s a symbol of fertility, passion, and good beginnings.
All across the Middle East and into North Africa, red is considered a color of luck and celebration.
Wedding tradition: The lasso
In Mexico, a lasso is used to bind the hands of the couple together. They might also use a large rosary. This is all to symbolize how the couple’s lives are now entwined. It’s also common among many Filipino and Latino cultures. (And has been picked up by neo pagan community.)
Spa and Henna
This one sounds like something everyone should be doing.
The day before the wedding in Morocco, the bride to be and the women in her inner circle have a spa day that includes massage, facials, waxing — any and all of the beauty treatments a girl could want before her big day.
In Muslim, Jewish, and Hindu households across the globe, women gather a few days before the wedding for a henna party. While everyone else is celebrating, the bride is having her hands and feet done.
Now let’s look at traditions specific to different countries.
Wedding traditions by country
Norway
The bride might wear white but she will as likely wear silver (so pretty!). But one of the most important traditions is the bridal crown. This crown is usually made with silver and it’s often passed down in a family from one bride to another, carrying with it all the good luck of those who wore it before. The crown itself is supposed to represent the purity of the bride.
This crown might also have little silver dangling charms so that as the bride is walking, there is a noise made to ward off evil spirits.
China
China is rich with tradition, as we’ve already covered their red dresses and there’s so much more, but this one… this one is fun. The bride’s family sends the bride to her new family home in an elaborately decorated sedan chair. As she’s being carried through the streets, people hold parasols over her and throw rice for more good luck.
Wedding tradition in Germany
So many traditions revolve around warding off evil spirits, including this one. Guests throw and break porcelain dishes on the ground, making it hard for the evil spirits to get to the bride and groom. Then later, the bride and groom clean this up together. This is symbolic of their coming journey through life and the idea that they can overcome any obstacles together.
Ireland
When the bride is dancing at any time during the reception, she must always have one foot on the ground, so no picking her up. If she doesn’t have at least one foot on the ground, it’s said that the faeries will come and steal her away.
French Polynesia
Ready? After the ceremony, the relatives of the bride and groom lie on the ground and then? The bride and groom walk over them like they are a rug. We imagine that it’s supposed to symbolize the support they have provided and will provide this couple on their journey but whoa… (Then again, maybe you’d get a good back cracking.)
Italy
But of course this is the most romantic thing ever. Of course. The night before the wedding, the groom will surprise the bride with la serenata. He serenades her at her window with the help of backup singers and musicians. This then turns into a lavish feast and party.
Lebanon
The whole things starts with music and dancing separately at the bride’s and groom’s homes. Sometimes they even hire professional musicians and dancers. But everyone starts the ceremony with this party. Eventually they all end up at the bride’s house where they shower the couple with flower petals before heading off to the ceremony. No superstitions, obviously, about seeing the bride beforehand.
Niger
The reception is started with a camel dance. As in, a camel dancing. Yes. The camel is doing the dancing. (We had to keep reading that and make sure we were understanding. ha) Everyone gathers around to watch the camel moving and grooving to some music and then everyone joins in and the party has started.
Wedding tradition in Vietnam
A lot of countries include a tea ceremony in their wedding traditions. In Vietnam, it’s done by the bride and groom on the morning of their wedding. They offer a tea ceremony to their parents and grandparents. When they accept and drink the tea, it signifies that they accept and support the marriage that is about to take place.
Have you seen or included different cultural traditions in weddings? We’d love to hear about them!
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