The majority of the time, when a couple enters the world of holy matrimony, it is through one of the many ways they choose to commemorate their love. Wedding traditions are a special occasion, no matter where you are in the world. The concept of sharing love and happiness is a universal theme, even though traditions vary globally.
While some customs might make you uncomfortable, others might astound you, and some may even appear a touch disrespectful. What takes place on wedding days throughout the world will certainly astound you. Fortunately, these customs are intended to offer the couple success and wealth.
Let’s take a closer look at the institution of marriage and shed some light on how regional customs and ceremonies vary.
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Wedding Traditions
Explore the rich tapestry of wedding traditions around the world, where love is celebrated in diverse and fascinating ways. In India, the groom’s shoes are playfully stolen before the ceremony in a custom known as Joota Chupai. China sees brides practicing the art of crying for an hour daily in the month leading up to the wedding.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, newlyweds face a unique challenge as they are prohibited from leaving their home or using the restroom for three days. From Venezuela’s sneaky exit to Fiji’s whale tooth proposal, each tradition weaves a cultural narrative, showcasing the universal beauty of love in all its forms.
India: The Groom’s Shoes Are Taken
Before seating for the pheras, it’s customary for the groom to take off his shoes in a traditional Hindu wedding. This is the time when the Joota Chupai custom is practiced. It’s a custom where the bride’s maids and cousins will frequently fool the groom by robbing him of his shoes and hiding them. The groom must bribe the women with money to return the shoes before the ceremony is through in order to obtain them back.
China: The Custom Of The Bride Crying
Even while it’s customary to cry a little at wedding ceremonies, in some regions of China, the bride is compelled to practice. Brides from Tujia are supposed to cry for an hour every day for a month prior to the ceremony. Her mother joins her ten days into the process, and the bride’s grandma follows ten days later. The tradition, known as Zuo Tang in the western Sichuan region, dates back to the Warring States period of China, when the mother of a Zhao princess sobbed during her wedding.
Malaysia: The Bridal Couple Cannot Use The Restroom
In Borneo, the Tidong people of Malaysia and Indonesia adhere to a custom that forbids the bride and groom from leaving their home or using the restroom for three whole days following their wedding ceremony. They are kept under constant guard and given very little access to food and drink. It is believed that failing to follow the ceremony will bring the bride and groom bad luck, which frequently manifests as adultery, a breakdown of their marriage, or the loss of their children.
Venezuela: The Newlyweds Sneak Out Of The Celebration
In Venezuela, a captivating wedding tradition unfolds as newlyweds discreetly slip away from their own celebration without saying goodbye to guests. This peculiar practice, believed to attract good fortune, adds an extra layer of mystique to the vibrant Venezuelan wedding culture.
Australia: Unique Stones Are Provided For Visitors To Grasp
The custom of a unity bowl could be used during an Australian wedding ceremony. Visitors are given stones when they arrive, which they must carry throughout the ceremony. In order to honor their friends and family who attended, visitors are asked to deposit the stones in a gorgeous bowl that the couple keeps on display at their home after the event.
Fiji: A Whale Tooth Is Mentioned In The Proposal
In Fiji, when the groom requests permission, he frequently gives the bride’s father a sperm whale’s tooth in exchange. Although it is more prevalent in rural regions, this practice is carried out throughout Fiji. The word “sacred” in Fijian refers to the tooth, also known as a tabua.
Korea: A Goose Is Presented To The Bride
On their wedding day, brides and grooms in Korea exchange wooden geese and ducks as a symbol of their devotion. Most newlyweds receive accessories for their new house or cash to start their new life together. In the past, grooms have often given their future mother-in-law’s wild ducks or geese. The monogamous animals stand in for the groom’s sincere devotion to his bride.
South Korea: The Groom’s Feet Are Pounded
In some regions of South Korea, grooms are not allowed to leave with their new brides until their feet have been beaten. Following the ceremony, the groom’s groomsmen or family members take off his shoes, tie rope around his ankles, and then take turns beating his feet with a stick or, in rare cases, a dried fish. Fortunately, the ceremony is brief and is regarded as a humorous moment that aims to gauge the groom’s fortitude and character.
Peru: Single Women Look For Love In A Cake
You’ll adore this Peruvian wedding custom, solitary ladies. The sides of a typical Peruvian wedding cake are adorned with ribbons. Each ribbon is tied to a cake charm, but one particular ribbon is attached to a ring that looks like a wedding band. Peruvians think that if they serve you a slice of cake with a wedding ring inside, you will soon be getting married.
Cuba: The Bride Will Demand That You Dance With Her
In the lively dance-filled celebrations of Cuban weddings, a unique tradition adds a touch of charm and financial flair. While it’s customary for brides around the world to share a dance with their guests, in Cuba, this dance comes with a cost. As the bride takes to the dance floor, every man who wishes to dance with her is expected to pin money to her clothing.
Kenya: Father Spits On The Bride
If you attend a wedding in Kenya, don’t be surprised if the groomsman spits on the bride’s dress to bring good luck. Spitting on someone is considered a sign of respect among the Maasai people of Kenya. The spit is intended with the best of intentions, hoping not to curse the union.
Italy: Newlyweds Receive Nuts
While many of us associate “confetti” with colourful pieces of paper, in Italian, the word actually refers to sweetened almonds. These are given to wedding guests at the reception as favours and are intended to be tossed at the bride and groom. Coriandoli, the small pieces of paper, have taken their place in their position, though.
These were some of the strangest traditions when it comes to weddings. Even though wedding customs vary from country to country, the concept of sharing love and happiness is universal. While some wedding traditions and practices may be unfamiliar to you, others may astound you, and some may even strike you as little insulting. What takes place on wedding days all throughout the world will astound you. Thankfully, these customs are intended to offer the couple success and wealth.
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