Forget the white dress and three-tiered cake – weddings around the world can be a whirlwind of unexpected customs. Join us as we unveil 14 of the most unusual and intriguing wedding traditions, where playful pranks and ancient rituals combine to celebrate love in truly unique ways. Prepare to be surprised, maybe even a little bewildered, as we explore these fascinating glimpses into global wedding traditions.
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#1 The Bride and Groom Ambush
In Scotland, days or weeks before the wedding ceremony, friends and family ambush the bride and groom, showering them with mud, dirt, rotten eggs, and even food scraps! This may seem strange, but it’s a symbolic gesture meant to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the newlyweds for a prosperous life together.
#2 Marrying a Non-human
In India, some people believe in astrology and its influence on marriage. The Manglik Dosha is a particular astrological combination that is thought to bring bad luck to a spouse. To ward off this curse for females with Manglik Dosha, a ritual called Kumbh Vivah is performed. This unique ceremony involves symbolically marrying a tree, or even an animal! The idea is that by marrying a non-human entity first, the curse is neutralized, paving the way for a happy and successful marriage with a human partner.
#3 Jumping the Broom
Jumping the broom is a popular tradition in many African-American weddings. During the ceremony, or sometimes at the reception, the couple jumps over a broomstick together. The broomstick itself can hold different meanings. In some interpretations, it represents sweeping away the past and starting fresh together. In others, it symbolizes hurdles or obstacles that the couple will face together in their married life, and jumping over it demonstrates their teamwork and commitment.
#4 La Soupe – Soup in a Toilet Bowl
French wedding traditions are known for their elegance, but La Soupe might surprise you. In some regions, leftover food and drinks from the wedding feast are collected and blended into a rather unappetizing concoction in a toilet bowl and then served to the newlyweds. Thankfully, this “soup” (La Soupe) is rarely served nowadays.
#5 Stealing the Groom’s Shoes
In India, during the wedding ceremony or reception, the bride’s sisters and female cousins often try to steal the groom’s shoes and hide them. The groom has to pay them a ransom, usually money or gifts, to get his shoes back. This is a playful tradition that brings good luck to the couple and tests the groom’s bargaining skills.
#6 Kissing Tradition
At Swedish weddings, if the bride or groom leaves the room during the reception, even for a bathroom break, they are fair game! Everyone at the reception, guests and friends alike, can line up to kiss the person who is left behind. This is a fun and lighthearted tradition that adds a playful element to the celebration.
#7 Crying Marriage
Among the Tujia ethnic group in China, brides partake in a unique pre-wedding ritual known as the Crying Marriage. For a month leading up to the wedding, the bride is required to cry for an hour each day. As the wedding day approaches, family members may join in the crying ritual, symbolizing the bride’s sorrow at leaving her family and expressing good fortune for her future.
#8 The Groom’s Feet Beating
In South Korea, there is a wedding tradition called “balenbai” where the groom’s friends and family remove his shoes and socks and beat the soles of his feet with a dried fish or other object. This is supposed to be a test of his strength, endurance, and sense of humor, and to prepare him for the challenges of married life. It’s a lighthearted bonding experience and a chance for the friends to playfully haze the groom.
#9 Log Cutting Ceremony
In Germany, the bride and groom work together to saw a log in half with a two-person saw. This symbolizes their teamwork, cooperation, and strength as they embark on their journey as a married couple. They must successfully cut through the entire log to signify their ability to overcome challenges together.
#10 Plate Smashing
In Greece, during the reception, guests throw plates at the feet of the bride and groom. This tradition is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. The more plates that break, the better the luck for the couple!
#11 Bride Kidnapping
In some parts of Romania, there is a ritual involving kidnapping the bride. During the wedding reception, the groom’s friends or family might whisk the bride away in a staged abduction. The groom may pretend to chase after them in a mock rescue attempt. Negotiations, often lighthearted and humorous, might ensue between the two families. Sweets, alcohol, or even a symbolic ransom might be exchanged before the “rescued” bride returns to the groom.
#12 Spitting on the Bride
In Maasai culture in Kenya, the father of the bride spits on her head and chest before she leaves her home. This is not meant to be disrespectful, but a blessing that is believed to bring good luck, fertility, and prosperity to the bride as she enters married life.
#13 No Bathroom for Three Nights
Among the Tidung tribe in Indonesia, there is a tradition where the bride and groom are not allowed to use the restroom for three days and nights after their wedding ceremony. This is believed to bring good luck, ward off evil spirits, and encourage the couple to focus on their new bond. (In reality, most couples nowadays find ways to sneak bathroom breaks!)
#14 Face-Down Walk
In the Marquesas Islands, after the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom walk over the backs of their friends and family members who are lying face down on the ground. This tradition symbolizes the couple’s respect for their elders and their new status as husband and wife. It’s a way to acknowledge the support system that helped them get to this point and to ask for continued blessings from their loved ones.
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