Wedding Customs Around the World

Want to make your wedding extra special? Consider choosing elements from traditional wedding ceremonies around the world!

Here are some of the ways lovers come together for a lifetime in different cultures. You may find some unique ideas to personalize your own day of days.

Africa
Did you know that in some modern-day African tribes, the wrists of the bride and groom are still bound with braided grass ties to symbolize their union?

Spain
The brides of early Spain got to wear what may be the most beautiful of all wedding headdresses: Delicate lace mantillas over the hair with orange blossoms judiciously tucked in!

China
The color of love in China is red, and the bridal gown was a brilliant red until just recently in that country. Party favors, flowers, candles and so on were also typically a bright and glowing scarlet.

Russia
Party favors to express appreciation to the wedding guests include tiny pictures, small candies or other exquisite little items.

Mexico
Several nice traditions still survive in old Mexican wedding ceremonies. One custom encircles the bride and groom in a loose lasso made of some pretty, soft cord twisted into a figure eight or infinity symbol.

Finland
Brides of old in Finland got to wear a crown of gold, which was featured in their “Dance of the Crowns.” The crown, a gold-colored wreath wrapped prettily around the bride’s head, was used to crown another maiden during the dance.

Ireland
Instead of the usual white wedding cake, Irish wedding receptions feature a brandy or bourbon-soaked fruit cake, heavy on the spice!

Italy
In Italy, the wedding guests toss what they call “confetti,” which is not colored paper, but almonds sprinkled with sugar. You will almost surely find these almonds gathered into pretty nets, tied with a bow and given out as thank-you’s to wedding guests.

Poland
This country originated what’s known as “the money dance,” a popular custom which has now made its way into many other culture’s wedding parties. The guests dance with the couple and pin money to their clothes to give them a little start in their new life.

Germany
A lovely idea for using candles comes to us from Germany. The custom is for the wedding couple to both hold decorated candles, which are then lit when the ceremony concludes.

Happy wedding; blessed life!