Different Wedding Customs and Traditions from Around the World

While weddings are held in celebration of the union of the couple, different cultures approach this ceremony differently. Sure, there are some similarities there are still subtle differences that set one culture from another.

Here are some ways different cultures celebrate their weddings as well as some traditions that each culture initiated.

Philippines

Typical weddings in the Philippines include customs such as the bride being disallowed from meeting the groom a day before their wedding. Doing so means bad luck according to them. Then there’s the belief that siblings cannot get married on the same year because one of them will meet an accident if they do.

Germany

This is where the idea of having a best man is said to have begun. In ancient Germany, some grooms kidnapped women from other villages to make them their wives. A trusted aide helps them do this and accompanies the groom during the ceremony to fight off any relatives who interfere with the ceremony. Another tradition coming to us out of Germany includes the bride and groom holding candles trimmed with flowers and ribbons.

China

Traditional Chinese weddings require the bride to change three times during the ceremony! Then there’s the requirement of colors gold and red when wrapping a gift. They are said to symbolize wealth and happiness to the couple. Red is the color of “Love and Joy” in China. At one time it was the brides favorite color of choice for the wedding garment, candles, guest gift favors and everything that went along with her wedding. In China today, many girls still choose to go by the old traditions of their forefathers, but more and more, the country is becoming westernized and brides are opting for the exquisite white gowns worn throughout the world. An interesting point of interest may be the number of wedding gowns made in China today, finding their way to your favorite bridal shop. Almost without a doubt as you have shopped for your gown, you have either tried on or looked upon gowns made on mainland China.

Mexico

During the reception, the couple’s guests form a heart-shaped barrier around the couple. The newlyweds will then do their first dance inside this heart, this circle of love.

Poland

Here the tradition of pinning money on the newlyweds’ clothes while dancing began. The custom of pinning money to the gown of the bride is centuries old in Poland. It was once done to help the young couple set up housekeeping and gave them money to begin their new life together. Today, it is more popularly known as the “money dance” and money may be pinned on both the bride and groom in payment for dancing with them. It has since been practiced by different cultures around the world.

Japan

The bridal couple in Japan takes nine sips of sake, becoming husband and wife after the first sip. They will set across the table from each other, looking directly into the eyes of the other, each taking a sip at the same moment, being very careful to set the cup down on the table at the same exact moment. The purpose of this is to keep one from dying before the other. The tradition being, that whoever’s cup is set on the table last will be the first to die.