Traditional Wedding Around The World
Most of us are familiar with the traditions and customs that are "typically American."
What can make a wedding especially enchanting is brides and grooms incorporating
American customs with those of their families' countries of origin. We may think we
have the market cornered on interesting wedding moments, as our brides throw their
bouquets or are showered with rice, but out in the world there are brides and grooms
of many other countries celebrating in their own unique ways. When international
customs are added to American customs, the combination can prove absolutely
delightful.
What follows are several examples of such customs.
Africa: Jumping the Broom: African American couples as a public statement of their
love and commitment, a man and woman jumped over a broom "into matrimony." The
broom has long held significant meaning for many Africans because it symbolizes the
start of homemaking for the newlywed couple. Some African-American couples today
are choosing to include this symbolic rite in their wedding ceremony, directly before
the reception. Smooth cowrie shells, which are believed to encourage fertility, are
worn in bridal necklaces and used as decorative accents to trim gowns, jackets, and
headpieces. The shells, found off the coast of West Africa, were once used as
money. Today they are used for purification and as a symbol of beauty and power.
In South Africa, the parents of both bride and groom traditionally carried fire from
their home / fire place to light a new fire in the newlyweds' home / fire place.
The art of braiding is common all over Africa, where men and women have their hair
finely braided in honor of their wedding day. To "set" the braiding, the hairdo is often
covered with a mixture of ochre. Today's African-American brides may choose braids
and hair extensions.
Belgium: The handkerchief tradition is perhaps the most unique of Belgium's
customs. The family of the bride takes a handkerchief embroidered with the bride's
name to the wedding. After the event, the handkerchief is displayed proudly in the
family's home. As subsequent daughters in the family marry, their names are added
and then displayed.
Bermuda: Islanders top their wedding cakes with a tiny sapling. The newlyweds then
plant the tree in their garden at home, where they can watch it grow along with their
marriage.
Czechoslovakia: Peas are thrown at Czech newlyweds instead of rice.
China: Chinese brides are given pocketbooks filled with gold jewelry by their female
relatives. These gifts are a status symbol for the bride. In ancient China, red was the
color of love and joy. Red has been maintained as the favorite color choice for the
bride's dress, candles, gift boxes, and the money envelopes that are presented to her.
In keeping with the color of joy, red, which runs as a theme through a Chinese
wedding, after the ceremony, the bride and groom are given goblets of wine and
honey. The glasses are tied togther with red string.
Denmark: The traditional Danish wedding cake is the cornucopia cake (Danish
marzipan ring cake) that is made of almond cake, pastilage, and marzipan and
beautifully decorated with sugarwork. It is filled with lots of life's "goodies" such as
candies, almond cakes, fresh fruit and sorbet. The cake sometimes is decorated with
marzipan medallions bearing portraits of the bride and groom. Brides and grooms
traditionally "cross dress" to confuse evil spirits.
Egypt: Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day for good luck. The
bride's family traditionally does all the cooking for a week after the wedding, so the
newlywed couple can relax.
England: The English believe that a spider found in the wedding dress brings good
luck. Wednesday is believed to be the best day to marry; Monday is for wealth and
Tuesday for health. Saturday is considered the unluckiest day to marry, but is also
the most popular day for weddings!
Every traditonal English wedding is "announced" the playing bells in the church. As
the couple enter the sanctuary, the bells are played to fend off evil. The bells play
again when the couple exits the church.
Traditionally petals are placed on the path of the bride and her attendants as they
walk to the church.
Fiji: The groom ceremoniously presents the bride's father with a tabua (whale's tooth)
as a symbol of status and wealth.
Finland: Brides wear golden crowns. After the wedding, the single guests form a
circle and dance around the bride, who is blindfolded. They wait for her to place her
crown on one of their heads, because tradition holds that whomever she crowns will
be the next to wed. The bride and groom are given seats of honor at the reception
There the bride holds a sieve, covered with a silk shawl. Guests come by to slip
money into the sieve. Their names and the amounts of their gifts are announced
publicly by a groomsman. Traditionally, Finnish brides are accompanied by an older
married man who represents long marriage. They go door-to-door collecting gifts in a
pillowcase.
France: Guests at a traditional French wedding, bring the flowers and floral
decorations with them to the ceremony.
During the ceremony, the wedding couple drink from the "coupe de marriage,"
(wedding cup). This speical silver cup is passed from generation to generation in
many French families.
Contrary to the American custom of throwing rice (and birdseed and confetti . . .) at
the bride, in France, the custom was to throw wheat.
In lieu of a "traditional" wedding cake, the French choose a tall cone of
caramel-coated cream puffs called croque-en-bouche (crisp in the mouth).
Germany: To mark their engagement couples give one another gold bands which
they wear on their left hands. At the ceremony, when the couple kneels, the groom
may put his knee on the bride's hem as a sign that he plans to "keep her in line." The
bride, in turn, may step on his foot as she rises, as a sign that she is reasserting
herself.
This article was read by one of the site's visitors, who kindly, submitted some
additional information about weddings today, in Germany. This is what Silke Pflüger
from Berlin, Germany wrote:
"We don't practice honorary positions as best man or Maid of honor. In Germany
many couples have two ceremonies. The first one is the official led by a
representative of the state, a Standesbeamter, registrar in English. You have to bring
two witnesses with you, usually these are the best friends of the couple or relatives.
After this civil wedding you are officially married.
If the couple is religious, or just like the tradition, they have a second ceremony in the
church led by a priest. Sometimes good friends prepare some tasks for the newlywed,
when they leave the town hall (or the church). This way the couple can show that they
are willing and able to master the difficulties they might face during their marriage. In
one example, the couple gets a large long saw with handles on both sides so that two
people saw at the same time and they have to saw a tree-trunk. My cousin had to do
that. Or, if they are members of a club, the friends will form a guard of honor holding
something connected with their hobby. A funny example of this which I have seen was
that the friends of the scuba diving club held their fins above the heads of the couple.
Before the wedding we don't have a bachelor party nor a bridal shower. In Germany
we celebrate the Polterabend, usually on the eve before the wedding. Guests bring
old dishes and throw it in front of the house so that it breaks into bits and pieces.
There is a German proverb "Scherben bringen Glueck," broken crockery brings you
luck. The more bits and pieces, the more luck the couple will have. The bride and
groom-to-be have to sweep the pieces. My husband was back then, ten years ago,
very careful putting the pieces away, because some guests love to tip these out
again, and then the couple has to sweep again. Originally, guests are not invited, but
come if they want to. Especially in the city, the couple usually invite guests.
"Polterabend" is a lot of fun; it's rather informal. I'm from Berlin. There are probably
other traditions in the other parts of Germany."
Greece: The koumbaros, traditionally the groom's godfather, is an honored guest
who participates in the wedding ceremony. Today, the koumbaros is usually the best
man. It is his responsibility to help crown the couple. The crowns generally are white
or gold, or made of long-lasting flowers such as orange blossoms, or of "twigs of love
and vine" wrapped in silver and gold paper. He also participates in circling the altar
three times. Other attendants may read Scripture, hold candles, and help by packing
the crowns in a special box after the ceremony. To ensure a sweet life, the bride may
carry a lump of sugar in her glove.
The Bachelor Party probably originated in Sparta. There, the bridegroom is believed
to have entertained his friends at a special supper for them on the evening before his
marriage. Aptly so, the event was called "the men's mess."
The symbolic crowns which a Greek bride and groom wear are, during the ceremony,
often attached by ribbons. This outward sign symbolizes the ties between a husband
and wife.
At the altar, Greek couple sip wine three times to symbolize the Trinity.
Holland: Dutch families seat the bride and groom on thrones beneath a canopy of
fragrant evergreens. Each guest comes up to offer good wishes. Dutch wedding
meals traditionally include a sweetmeat called "bridal sugar" and a spiced wine called
"bride's tears." A pine tree is planted outside the newlyweds' home as a symbol of
fertility and luck.
India: At the close of the wedding ceremony, the groom's brother sprinkles flower
petals on the bridal couple. These are believed to ward off evil spirits. A coconut may
be held over the couple's heads, as they are circled three times. This custom is
another way of banishing evil spirits.
Ireland: The traditional wedding cake of the Emerald Isle is a rich fruitcake. It is
generously laced with brandy or bourbon. The bride and groom are presented with a
lucky horseshoe to hang in their home. Click here for mroe information about Irish
wedding customs.
Italy: Ribbons symbolize tying together of two lives, so a ribbon is tied across the
front of the church door to symbolize the wedding bond. Guests toss confetti
(sugared almonds) at the newlyweds. The sugared almonds may also be used for
decoration at each place setting. They can be placed in small porcelain boxes or tulle
bags called bomboniere, which may be personalized with names and date (of the
wedding couple & the wedding day). The candies symbolize both the sweet (sugar)
and bitter that life may offer.
Japan: In Japan, white was always the color of choice for bridal ensembles, long
before Queen Victoria popularized it in the Western world.
A Japanese bride may change her attire, as often as two or three times during her
wedding day. She may begin with the traditional kimono and "end" with a
Western-style, white dress. The kimono worn at a girl's wedding will traditionally be a
very expensive antique and will usually be rented not bought.
Korea: Ducks, which mate for life, are a part of the wedding procession. Years ago,
the groom would travel to the bride's house on a white pony. The pony would carry a
gray goose and gander (they also mate for life) as a symbol of his fidelity. In Korea,
brides wear bright hues of red and yellow to take their vows.
Malaysia: The groom has his gifts to his bride delivered to her home by costumed
children. The procession is noisy and exuberant. They carry lavish trays of food and
currency. The paper money is folded into animal or flower shapes. Traditionally, each
wedding guest is given a beautifully decorated hard-boiled egg, a symbol of fertility.
Morocco: Moroccan women take a milk bath to purify themselves before their
wedding ceremony.
Norway: In Norway, Brudlaupskling, a wedding cake made of bread, dates back to the
days when white flour was rare on Norwegian farms, and foods containing it were
greatly admired. The bread is topped with a mixture of cheese, cream, and syrup,
then folded over and cut into small squares.
The traditional Norwegian folk costume, which is often worn at weddings by wedding
party and guests alike, is the bunad. Different variants from the different district make
the bunad indicate a home district (or that of an ancestor). Often made from a white
blouse, colored wool skirt/trousers and vest, it is elaborately embroidered. Completing
the costume are sterling silver jewelry and a gold and silver crown accented with small
silver spoon-shaped bangles. The sound of the clinking spoons historically was
believed to ward off evil spirits.
As a "final traditional touch," two small fir trees are planted on either side of the door
to the couple's house until they are blessed with a child.
Philippines: The Coins, Veil and the Lasso are traditions associated with Hispanic
and Filipino weddings. One of the bridal party attendants or another, honored
individual, carries the coins. Following the exchange of rings, the "coin bearer" gives
the coins to the groom. The groom, in turn, gives the coins his bride. The bride then
gives them to her Maid of Honor. The symbolism is a basic one. It marks the
acceptance by the groom of his responsibility to provide for to support his bride.
The Filipino custom is for the bride and her wedding party all to be dressed in the
same color. In that way, it is believed, that the evil spirits which may be lurking cannot
pick out the bride and steal her away before the ceremony.
The Veil and the Lasso respectively are incorporated into a special wedding prayer
which takes place during the ceremony. Members of the wedding party are
designated to be in charge of "lassoing" the bride and groom. This binding of the
couple, takes place while they kneel for the wedding prayer. A white satin circle of
cord is subsequently draped around the (head and) shoulders of the kneeling couple.
Once the couple has been "lassoed," a Veil is placed over their shoulders. The veil,
which may need some fastening so it will stay in place, symbolically unites the couple,
who remain kneeling for the prayer. When the kneeling prayer is over, the attendants
remove the lasso and the veil.
Russia: Being a guest at a Russian wedding really pays. Contrary to American
weddings customs, instead of the guests bringing gifts to the new bride and groom, at
a Russian wedding the newlyweds provide a gift to each guest, as an expression
gratitude.
Scotland: The traditional Scottish wedding cake consists of two tiers of
brandy-flavored fruitcake. The cake is baked at the time of the couple's engagement.
Only one tier is eaten at the wedding celebration, while the other is saved to
celebrate the birth of the couple's first born.
Spain: The groom presents thirteen coins to the bride, as a symbol of his ability to
support and care for her. This custom is called the giving of monedas or arras.
During the ceremony, either the bride carries the coins in a special purse, or a young
girl carries them on a pillow or handkerchief. Wedding guests participate in dancing a
sequidillas manchegas at the reception, at which occasion each guest presents the
bride with a gift.
Sweden: A Swedish bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her
mother in each shoe to ensure she never has to go without.
Switzerland: Junior bridesmaids in the Swiss tradition carry colored hankies. Guests
may "buy" one of the handkerchiefs by contributing a dollar to the couples "nest egg."
United States: Bundling was a custom that originated long ago in New England. It was
introduced by the Dutch and the English and allowed engaged couples to lie in bed
together (fully clothed, of course) to keep away the chill of long, cold Northern winters.
Wales: In Wales, a man would often carve a spoon from a piece of wood with his
pocket knife. This would be attached to a ribbon and worn by a girl around her neck
as a sign of their engagement.
The somewhat antiquated term "spooning," came to mean to court or go steady, and
originated from this custom.
This introduction is just a sample of some of the many wonderful, beautiful customs
which brides and grooms follow worldwide. The customs have something in common
with one another and with American traditions. Many have an element of superstition,
a "why take a chance?" approach. Many are a way of honoring the bride and groom
and most, have at their core, ways of wishing the new couple well in their marriage.
Most of us are familiar with the traditions and customs that are "typically American."
What can make a wedding especially enchanting is brides and grooms incorporating
American customs with those of their families' countries of origin. We may think we
have the market cornered on interesting wedding moments, as our brides throw their
bouquets or are showered with rice, but out in the world there are brides and grooms
of many other countries celebrating in their own unique ways. When international
customs are added to American customs, the combination can prove absolutely
delightful.
What follows are several examples of such customs.
Africa: Jumping the Broom: African American couples as a public statement of their
love and commitment, a man and woman jumped over a broom "into matrimony." The
broom has long held significant meaning for many Africans because it symbolizes the
start of homemaking for the newlywed couple. Some African-American couples today
are choosing to include this symbolic rite in their wedding ceremony, directly before
the reception. Smooth cowrie shells, which are believed to encourage fertility, are
worn in bridal necklaces and used as decorative accents to trim gowns, jackets, and
headpieces. The shells, found off the coast of West Africa, were once used as
money. Today they are used for purification and as a symbol of beauty and power.
In South Africa, the parents of both bride and groom traditionally carried fire from
their home / fire place to light a new fire in the newlyweds' home / fire place.
The art of braiding is common all over Africa, where men and women have their hair
finely braided in honor of their wedding day. To "set" the braiding, the hairdo is often
covered with a mixture of ochre. Today's African-American brides may choose braids
and hair extensions.
Belgium: The handkerchief tradition is perhaps the most unique of Belgium's
customs. The family of the bride takes a handkerchief embroidered with the bride's
name to the wedding. After the event, the handkerchief is displayed proudly in the
family's home. As subsequent daughters in the family marry, their names are added
and then displayed.
Bermuda: Islanders top their wedding cakes with a tiny sapling. The newlyweds then
plant the tree in their garden at home, where they can watch it grow along with their
marriage.
Czechoslovakia: Peas are thrown at Czech newlyweds instead of rice.
China: Chinese brides are given pocketbooks filled with gold jewelry by their female
relatives. These gifts are a status symbol for the bride. In ancient China, red was the
color of love and joy. Red has been maintained as the favorite color choice for the
bride's dress, candles, gift boxes, and the money envelopes that are presented to her.
In keeping with the color of joy, red, which runs as a theme through a Chinese
wedding, after the ceremony, the bride and groom are given goblets of wine and
honey. The glasses are tied togther with red string.
Denmark: The traditional Danish wedding cake is the cornucopia cake (Danish
marzipan ring cake) that is made of almond cake, pastilage, and marzipan and
beautifully decorated with sugarwork. It is filled with lots of life's "goodies" such as
candies, almond cakes, fresh fruit and sorbet. The cake sometimes is decorated with
marzipan medallions bearing portraits of the bride and groom. Brides and grooms
traditionally "cross dress" to confuse evil spirits.
Egypt: Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day for good luck. The
bride's family traditionally does all the cooking for a week after the wedding, so the
newlywed couple can relax.
England: The English believe that a spider found in the wedding dress brings good
luck. Wednesday is believed to be the best day to marry; Monday is for wealth and
Tuesday for health. Saturday is considered the unluckiest day to marry, but is also
the most popular day for weddings!
Every traditonal English wedding is "announced" the playing bells in the church. As
the couple enter the sanctuary, the bells are played to fend off evil. The bells play
again when the couple exits the church.
Traditionally petals are placed on the path of the bride and her attendants as they
walk to the church.
Fiji: The groom ceremoniously presents the bride's father with a tabua (whale's tooth)
as a symbol of status and wealth.
Finland: Brides wear golden crowns. After the wedding, the single guests form a
circle and dance around the bride, who is blindfolded. They wait for her to place her
crown on one of their heads, because tradition holds that whomever she crowns will
be the next to wed. The bride and groom are given seats of honor at the reception
There the bride holds a sieve, covered with a silk shawl. Guests come by to slip
money into the sieve. Their names and the amounts of their gifts are announced
publicly by a groomsman. Traditionally, Finnish brides are accompanied by an older
married man who represents long marriage. They go door-to-door collecting gifts in a
pillowcase.
France: Guests at a traditional French wedding, bring the flowers and floral
decorations with them to the ceremony.
During the ceremony, the wedding couple drink from the "coupe de marriage,"
(wedding cup). This speical silver cup is passed from generation to generation in
many French families.
Contrary to the American custom of throwing rice (and birdseed and confetti . . .) at
the bride, in France, the custom was to throw wheat.
In lieu of a "traditional" wedding cake, the French choose a tall cone of
caramel-coated cream puffs called croque-en-bouche (crisp in the mouth).
Germany: To mark their engagement couples give one another gold bands which
they wear on their left hands. At the ceremony, when the couple kneels, the groom
may put his knee on the bride's hem as a sign that he plans to "keep her in line." The
bride, in turn, may step on his foot as she rises, as a sign that she is reasserting
herself.
This article was read by one of the site's visitors, who kindly, submitted some
additional information about weddings today, in Germany. This is what Silke Pflüger
from Berlin, Germany wrote:
"We don't practice honorary positions as best man or Maid of honor. In Germany
many couples have two ceremonies. The first one is the official led by a
representative of the state, a Standesbeamter, registrar in English. You have to bring
two witnesses with you, usually these are the best friends of the couple or relatives.
After this civil wedding you are officially married.
If the couple is religious, or just like the tradition, they have a second ceremony in the
church led by a priest. Sometimes good friends prepare some tasks for the newlywed,
when they leave the town hall (or the church). This way the couple can show that they
are willing and able to master the difficulties they might face during their marriage. In
one example, the couple gets a large long saw with handles on both sides so that two
people saw at the same time and they have to saw a tree-trunk. My cousin had to do
that. Or, if they are members of a club, the friends will form a guard of honor holding
something connected with their hobby. A funny example of this which I have seen was
that the friends of the scuba diving club held their fins above the heads of the couple.
Before the wedding we don't have a bachelor party nor a bridal shower. In Germany
we celebrate the Polterabend, usually on the eve before the wedding. Guests bring
old dishes and throw it in front of the house so that it breaks into bits and pieces.
There is a German proverb "Scherben bringen Glueck," broken crockery brings you
luck. The more bits and pieces, the more luck the couple will have. The bride and
groom-to-be have to sweep the pieces. My husband was back then, ten years ago,
very careful putting the pieces away, because some guests love to tip these out
again, and then the couple has to sweep again. Originally, guests are not invited, but
come if they want to. Especially in the city, the couple usually invite guests.
"Polterabend" is a lot of fun; it's rather informal. I'm from Berlin. There are probably
other traditions in the other parts of Germany."
Greece: The koumbaros, traditionally the groom's godfather, is an honored guest
who participates in the wedding ceremony. Today, the koumbaros is usually the best
man. It is his responsibility to help crown the couple. The crowns generally are white
or gold, or made of long-lasting flowers such as orange blossoms, or of "twigs of love
and vine" wrapped in silver and gold paper. He also participates in circling the altar
three times. Other attendants may read Scripture, hold candles, and help by packing
the crowns in a special box after the ceremony. To ensure a sweet life, the bride may
carry a lump of sugar in her glove.
The Bachelor Party probably originated in Sparta. There, the bridegroom is believed
to have entertained his friends at a special supper for them on the evening before his
marriage. Aptly so, the event was called "the men's mess."
The symbolic crowns which a Greek bride and groom wear are, during the ceremony,
often attached by ribbons. This outward sign symbolizes the ties between a husband
and wife.
At the altar, Greek couple sip wine three times to symbolize the Trinity.
Holland: Dutch families seat the bride and groom on thrones beneath a canopy of
fragrant evergreens. Each guest comes up to offer good wishes. Dutch wedding
meals traditionally include a sweetmeat called "bridal sugar" and a spiced wine called
"bride's tears." A pine tree is planted outside the newlyweds' home as a symbol of
fertility and luck.
India: At the close of the wedding ceremony, the groom's brother sprinkles flower
petals on the bridal couple. These are believed to ward off evil spirits. A coconut may
be held over the couple's heads, as they are circled three times. This custom is
another way of banishing evil spirits.
Ireland: The traditional wedding cake of the Emerald Isle is a rich fruitcake. It is
generously laced with brandy or bourbon. The bride and groom are presented with a
lucky horseshoe to hang in their home. Click here for mroe information about Irish
wedding customs.
Italy: Ribbons symbolize tying together of two lives, so a ribbon is tied across the
front of the church door to symbolize the wedding bond. Guests toss confetti
(sugared almonds) at the newlyweds. The sugared almonds may also be used for
decoration at each place setting. They can be placed in small porcelain boxes or tulle
bags called bomboniere, which may be personalized with names and date (of the
wedding couple & the wedding day). The candies symbolize both the sweet (sugar)
and bitter that life may offer.
Japan: In Japan, white was always the color of choice for bridal ensembles, long
before Queen Victoria popularized it in the Western world.
A Japanese bride may change her attire, as often as two or three times during her
wedding day. She may begin with the traditional kimono and "end" with a
Western-style, white dress. The kimono worn at a girl's wedding will traditionally be a
very expensive antique and will usually be rented not bought.
Korea: Ducks, which mate for life, are a part of the wedding procession. Years ago,
the groom would travel to the bride's house on a white pony. The pony would carry a
gray goose and gander (they also mate for life) as a symbol of his fidelity. In Korea,
brides wear bright hues of red and yellow to take their vows.
Malaysia: The groom has his gifts to his bride delivered to her home by costumed
children. The procession is noisy and exuberant. They carry lavish trays of food and
currency. The paper money is folded into animal or flower shapes. Traditionally, each
wedding guest is given a beautifully decorated hard-boiled egg, a symbol of fertility.
Morocco: Moroccan women take a milk bath to purify themselves before their
wedding ceremony.
Norway: In Norway, Brudlaupskling, a wedding cake made of bread, dates back to the
days when white flour was rare on Norwegian farms, and foods containing it were
greatly admired. The bread is topped with a mixture of cheese, cream, and syrup,
then folded over and cut into small squares.
The traditional Norwegian folk costume, which is often worn at weddings by wedding
party and guests alike, is the bunad. Different variants from the different district make
the bunad indicate a home district (or that of an ancestor). Often made from a white
blouse, colored wool skirt/trousers and vest, it is elaborately embroidered. Completing
the costume are sterling silver jewelry and a gold and silver crown accented with small
silver spoon-shaped bangles. The sound of the clinking spoons historically was
believed to ward off evil spirits.
As a "final traditional touch," two small fir trees are planted on either side of the door
to the couple's house until they are blessed with a child.
Philippines: The Coins, Veil and the Lasso are traditions associated with Hispanic
and Filipino weddings. One of the bridal party attendants or another, honored
individual, carries the coins. Following the exchange of rings, the "coin bearer" gives
the coins to the groom. The groom, in turn, gives the coins his bride. The bride then
gives them to her Maid of Honor. The symbolism is a basic one. It marks the
acceptance by the groom of his responsibility to provide for to support his bride.
The Filipino custom is for the bride and her wedding party all to be dressed in the
same color. In that way, it is believed, that the evil spirits which may be lurking cannot
pick out the bride and steal her away before the ceremony.
The Veil and the Lasso respectively are incorporated into a special wedding prayer
which takes place during the ceremony. Members of the wedding party are
designated to be in charge of "lassoing" the bride and groom. This binding of the
couple, takes place while they kneel for the wedding prayer. A white satin circle of
cord is subsequently draped around the (head and) shoulders of the kneeling couple.
Once the couple has been "lassoed," a Veil is placed over their shoulders. The veil,
which may need some fastening so it will stay in place, symbolically unites the couple,
who remain kneeling for the prayer. When the kneeling prayer is over, the attendants
remove the lasso and the veil.
Russia: Being a guest at a Russian wedding really pays. Contrary to American
weddings customs, instead of the guests bringing gifts to the new bride and groom, at
a Russian wedding the newlyweds provide a gift to each guest, as an expression
gratitude.
Scotland: The traditional Scottish wedding cake consists of two tiers of
brandy-flavored fruitcake. The cake is baked at the time of the couple's engagement.
Only one tier is eaten at the wedding celebration, while the other is saved to
celebrate the birth of the couple's first born.
Spain: The groom presents thirteen coins to the bride, as a symbol of his ability to
support and care for her. This custom is called the giving of monedas or arras.
During the ceremony, either the bride carries the coins in a special purse, or a young
girl carries them on a pillow or handkerchief. Wedding guests participate in dancing a
sequidillas manchegas at the reception, at which occasion each guest presents the
bride with a gift.
Sweden: A Swedish bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her
mother in each shoe to ensure she never has to go without.
Switzerland: Junior bridesmaids in the Swiss tradition carry colored hankies. Guests
may "buy" one of the handkerchiefs by contributing a dollar to the couples "nest egg."
United States: Bundling was a custom that originated long ago in New England. It was
introduced by the Dutch and the English and allowed engaged couples to lie in bed
together (fully clothed, of course) to keep away the chill of long, cold Northern winters.
Wales: In Wales, a man would often carve a spoon from a piece of wood with his
pocket knife. This would be attached to a ribbon and worn by a girl around her neck
as a sign of their engagement.
The somewhat antiquated term "spooning," came to mean to court or go steady, and
originated from this custom.
This introduction is just a sample of some of the many wonderful, beautiful customs
which brides and grooms follow worldwide. The customs have something in common
with one another and with American traditions. Many have an element of superstition,
a "why take a chance?" approach. Many are a way of honoring the bride and groom
and most, have at their core, ways of wishing the new couple well in their marriage.
United State
Philippines
India
African
Indonesian
Japanese
Japan
Irish
Fiji
Russia
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