One of the best and most important days in every person's life is their wedding day. Wedding ceremonies in different countries and cultures are held with their own unique customs and traditions. We would like to explore some of the wedding traditions around the world. Stay with Saad News.
Marriage is a tradition that almost every country observes. Wedding ceremonies in different countries are held with their own unique customs. It is interesting to know how brides and grooms in other nations spend this important day. Wedding customs and traditions around the world vary: some are sweet, some are confusing, and others are strange and quirky. As you know, one of the most beautiful events in anyone’s life is their wedding day, especially when the bride and groom celebrate the best day of their lives among friends and family, surrounded by beautiful flowers, music, and delicious food.
India has some truly unusual wedding traditions.
First, the bride and groom have no role in determining the wedding date. Instead, temple priests use astrology to choose an auspicious date for the ceremony.
Second, unlike the preference of most women around the world for white wedding dresses, Indian brides wear red on their special day. This is because the color red symbolizes commitment to life, strong faith in spiritual matters, and prosperity. So, the choice of this color isn’t irrelevant. Additionally, the dress is a red saree with heavy gold embroidery.
Third, on the morning of the wedding, before the main ceremony, the families of the bride and groom perform a ritual called Haldi. They prepare a mixture of water, oil, and turmeric, which is then applied to the bride and groom. This ritual is believed to bring good luck, as the ingredients symbolize purity, wealth, and happiness.
In the U.S., a bachelor or bachelorette party is a must-have event for the bride and groom, usually involving dancing and singing with friends. With the rise of modern marriages and cohabitation, the engagement period has been removed from many American weddings. Americans often throw rice or grains at the bride and groom, as they believe it brings stability and blessings to the marriage. A common wedding tradition in many countries is for the bride to throw her bouquet to the unmarried women, but in the U.S., the bride throws the bouquet specifically to the groom’s friends. Americans also believe that the bride should receive a precious gift from a married woman to ensure a happy married life. Additionally, a blue ribbon is tied to the bride to ward off the evil eye.
In China, small feet have historically been a symbol of women’s beauty, but one of the strangest customs comes from the Sichuan province, where the bride and her family undergo a month-long period of training in how to cry. This is done so that, on the wedding night, they can express the bride’s deep value to her family by crying easily. Another custom in this country forbids the mother-in-law from visiting her daughter’s home for a year after the marriage. However, the bride is allowed to visit her parents at any time. The Uyghur people have their own wedding traditions as well, where the groom shoots three arrows toward his bride. Today, these arrows have blunt tips, and the groom breaks them afterward to symbolize his eternal love.
One of the most interesting wedding traditions is in Korea, where the bride must pledge to obey and be submissive to her husband for life. Therefore, on the first day of their married life, Korean brides must remain silent in the husband’s home to signify the beginning of their commitment. After the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom wear special clothes and show respect to their elders. They also offer nuts and jujubes to the older members of their families to signify that they will be happy in their new life.
In Japan, the wedding ceremony is usually attended only by close family and friends. The bride wears a kimono and gives gifts to her guests. On the wedding day, Japanese couples perform a Shinto ritual, during which the bride wears white from head to toe, including makeup, kimono, and a headpiece. The white symbolizes the bride’s purity, and the headpiece is meant to hide any jealousy she may have toward her mother-in-law. In another custom, villagers line the streets to view the bride, and if they criticize her appearance, she must go home and change.
Thailand has some unusual wedding traditions as well. A Thai wedding only occurs with the approval of both families, and no one is allowed to marry without their families’ consent. The bride typically wears a pink dress, while the groom wears an European-style suit with a wide collar. The bride’s cheeks are decorated with red stickers, and she is uniquely styled on her wedding day.
What makes Russian weddings stand out is the absence of a dowry. The groom does not pay a dowry, but he must give money to the bride's friends and family to see her. Breaking crystal during the ceremony is an essential tradition, as it is believed to bring the couple long-lasting happiness. On the wedding night, bread is offered to the bride and groom, and the one who can take a larger piece of bread without using their hands is believed to have greater control over the household.
In Germany, the bride and groom break china during their wedding night, and then clean up the broken pieces together. It is believed that this act brings them a happy and prosperous life. The bride places a coin in her right shoe, which is thought to bring lifelong good luck. Children use the bride's shoes to collect money from guests at the wedding. The bride must buy her own shoes to prove she is capable of saving and managing finances in her married life.
Ultimately, culture and tradition influence wedding ceremonies around the world, and it would be unreasonable to expect all weddings to be held in the same manner. In fact, this diversity is what makes the concept of marriage celebrations across the globe fascinating, showcasing the various preferences of different communities and ethnic groups.
