Weddings are universal celebrations of love, but the ways in which people choose to celebrate vary from one culture to another. By American standards, there are some unusual wedding traditions found all over the world.
From strange superstitions to funny events designed to humiliate the bride and groom, you may witness unexpected moments if you attend a wedding in another culture. Here are 12 unusual wedding traditions that offer a fascinating glimpse into the customs that make each culture unique.
1. Germany: Log Sawing
Marriage is all about teamwork. The Germans put that to practice immediately after the wedding ceremony. The bride and groom work together to saw a log in half in front of their guests. Unusual wedding traditions like this one are meant to prove the couple’s ability to work together and face the obstacles that may come their way.
2. India: Joota Chupai
In this playful Indian wedding tradition, the bride’s sisters and female cousins steal and hide the groom’s shoes on the wedding day. The groom must then negotiate and pay a ransom to get them back. Weddings should be fun, and this tradition is a reminder to add some levity to the big day.
3. Scotland: Blackening the Bride
Watch out for the wedding guests in rural Scotland! The tradition of “Blackening the Bride” involves capturing the bride (and sometimes the groom) a few days before the wedding and covering them in soot and feathers. They’re then paraded around town to prepare them for any humiliation or adversity they might face in marriage.
4. Mongolia: Chicken Liver Ceremony
Before setting a wedding date, couples in Mongolia must kill a chicken and cut it apart, holding the knife together, to find a healthy liver. Only then can they set their wedding date. This unusual wedding tradition is like cutting the wedding cake, only significantly less tasty!
5. South Korea: Beating the Groom’s Feet
Some unusual wedding traditions test a couple’s strength and character. Take for instance beating the groom’s feet in South Korea. On the night before the wedding, friends of the groom gather to beat his feet with sticks or dried fish. This is thought to test his endurance and strength of character before the ceremony.
6. Sweden: Kisses All Around
Kissing is a natural part of weddings, but the Swedes take it to the next level. During the reception, if the bride or groom leaves their table for any reason, the remaining spouse gets kissed by guests. This tradition adds a playful element to the celebrations.
7. Kenya: Father’s Spit
In the Maasai nation, the father of the bride blesses his daughter by spitting on her head and breasts as she leaves with her new husband. The spit is thought to bring good luck and fortune.
8. France: Chamber Pot Drinking
Wedding food can be hit and miss, but that’s especially the case in France. After the wedding, friends and family prepare a chamber pot full of leftover foods, alcohol, and other ingredients. The bride and groom then drink the mixture together, symbolizing a strong stomach for the marriage journey ahead.
9. Fiji: Whale’s Tooth
Unusual wedding traditions may be based on superstitions within a culture. For instance, in Fiji, when a man asks a woman’s father for her hand in marriage, he must present a tabua (whale’s tooth). The tooth is considered a valuable commodity and signifies the seriousness of his intentions.
10. China: Crying for the Groom
A month before the wedding, the bride begins to cry for one hour each day. Ten days into the ritual, her mother joins her, and then ten days later, her grandmother joins the crying ritual. This is believed to be an expression of joy and deep emotion.
11. Armenia: Balance Bread
Brides who are watching their figures may refuse to eat carbs as they prepare for their wedding. In Armenia, a flatbread is placed on the shoulders of the bride and groom, symbolizing prosperity and happiness. Guests also throw coins at them for good luck.
Not So Unusual
Each of these unusual wedding traditions not only adds to the fun and festivities of celebrations but also provides deeper insights into the values and beliefs of different cultures. They may seem strange to Americans, but who knows? Our tossing of the bouquet and taking off the garter may seem strange to other countries. With any tradition, the important thing is that it highlights the love between the couples and good fortune in the marital journey.
Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.