Weddings are a joyous occasion that brings together two people in love, but did you know that wedding customs vary widely around the world? From burying the bourbon to breaking dishes, let's take a look at some of the most fascinating and bizarre wedding customs from around the globe.
Blackening the Bride and Groom – Scotland
In Scotland, it's common to "blacken" the bride and groom before the wedding. This involves covering them with soot, flour, and feathers before parading them through the streets. The tradition is believed to bring good luck to the couple.
Crying before the Wedding – China
In China, it's customary for the bride to cry for an hour a day in the month leading up to her wedding. The bride's mother will often join in, and sometimes even the grandmother. The custom is believed to symbolize the bride's sadness at leaving her family.
Stealing the Bride – Romania
In Romania, the groom must "steal" the bride from her family before the wedding. The groom and his friends will show up at the bride's house and demand that she be handed over. The bride's family will put up a fight, but eventually, the groom will "win" the bride and take her away.
Burying the Bourbon – Southern United States
In the southern United States, it's common to bury a bottle of bourbon upside down at the site of the wedding one month before the big day. The tradition is believed to ward off rain on the wedding day.
Breaking Dishes – Germany
In Germany, it's customary to break dishes at a wedding. The bride and groom will clean up the broken pieces together, symbolizing their ability to work together to overcome obstacles.
Kidnapping the Bride – Kazakhstan
In Kazakhstan, the groom and his friends will "kidnap" the bride before the wedding. The bride's family will then have to negotiate with the groom to get her back.
Spitting on the Bride – Kenya
In some parts of Kenya, it's customary for the father of the bride to spit on her before the wedding. This is believed to bring good luck to the couple.
Tree Planting – Mexico
In Mexico, it's common to plant a tree during the wedding ceremony. The tree represents the couple's growth and longevity together.
Polterabend – Germany
In Germany, it's customary to throw a Polterabend party the night before the wedding. The guests will bring dishes and smash them on the ground, symbolizing the end of the bride and groom's old life and the beginning of their new one together.
Tossing the Bouquet – United States
In the United States, it's customary for the bride to toss her bouquet to a group of unmarried women. The woman who catches the bouquet is believed to be the next to get married.
Wedding customs around the world are as diverse and fascinating as the cultures they come from. While some customs may seem strange or even bizarre to outsiders, they are a meaningful and important part of the wedding celebrations for those who practice them.
