Wedding Traditions Around The World

In honor of the World Cup and the coming together of nations across the globe, I thought it would be a good time to examine wedding traditions from all over. Some of these traditions make sense, while others are just wacky!

The dress is the focal point of a Cuban wedding. The bigger and poofier, the better!

In Germany, it’s all about budgeting. It is said that when a girl is first born, trees are planted in her honor. As the girl grows up and prepares to marry, the trees are sold to help pay for her wedding.

Indian weddings are extravagant events that last for days, between all of the rituals and ceremonies. The bride, as well as her female family and friends, paint their hands and feet with intricate henna designs.

Japanese brides also paint their bodies, but they are painted white from head to toe to symbolize being pure. These brides go through many outfit changes during their reception. After starting in a white kimono, they then change into a red kimono, and later change into a Western-style dress.

Guests at a Malaysian ceremony just may receive a decorated hard-boiled egg at the reception. This is meant to symbolize fertility, which Malaysian weddings center around.

The traditional wedding cake in Norway is quite different from those you see in the US. The Norwegian wedding cake, called kransekake, is made of bread and topped with cheese, cream and syrup. 

In Peru, charms are attached to ribbons and tucked underneath layers of the wedding cake. Before the bride and groom cut their cake, each of the single female guests pulls a ribbon. The guest who pulls the ribbon with a fake wedding ring attached to the end is said to be the next to marry. Their own version of a bouquet toss!

South Korean grooms have their feet beaten before they can leave with their bride. Yes, really! His groomsmen and friends remove his socks and shoes, bound his ankles and beat his feet with either a stick, cane or dried fish.

A Swedish bride puts a gold coin from her father in her right shoe and a silver coin from her mother in her left shoe. This is done to guarantee she will never go without. Another Swedish tradition says that if the groom leaves the room for any reason, any other man at the wedding is allowed to kiss the bride, and vice versa if the bride leaves the room!

Bridesmaids are usually very young in weddings that take place in the United Kingdom. For example, Princess Diana’s bridesmaids ranged in age from 17 down to 5!