Unique Wedding Customs Around the World

American weddings are sometimes a combination of different customs from around the world, because we have the most flexible traditions. An American bride can decide to write her own vows, or recite traditional ones, or she can choose to wear a white dress or any other color. Many cultures have symbolic customs that are important and less flexible. Here are a few interesting wedding customs that can be seen around the world!

Indian

The night before the wedding, the women on the bride's side of the family practice a celebration called Mehndi. Intricate and artistic henna designs are applied to the hands and feet of the bride and other women in the family. On the big day, the bride and groom exchange flower garlands, and put them around each other's necks to show that the bride has accepted the groom as her husband.

Jewish

An Orthodox Jewish wedding cannot be held on the Sabbath (Saturday) or many other religious holidays. The wedding invitations that are sent out can be two-sided, which one side in English and the other in Hebrew. On the day of the ceremony, the couple will stand under the Chuppa, a canopy meant to provide sanctuary from evil spirits. The groom will also stomp a glass wrapped in cloth to symbolize the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Every aspect of a Jewish wedding is immersed in tradition and symbolism, and can be a very meaningful event to attend.

Japanese

Japanese weddings incorporate many symbolic traditions and include the couple's parents in many of the rituals. The tradition called "san-san-kudo" is an old tradition, and can have many variations, but couples and their parents each take three sips from each of the three sake cups. The first three represent three couples, the second three represent three human flaws: hatred, passion and ignorance. The third represents "kudo", "ku" meaning nine, which is a lucky number, and "do" means deliverance from the three flaws. The bride has many costume changes throughout a wedding ceremony as well.

Germany

In some German cultures, when a little girl is born, the family plants four trees. When she grows up and gets engaged, the trees are sold and money can be used for her dowry. There are three parts to a marriage ceremony, the first is the civil ceremony at the city hall. The next night there is a party thrown, and many people bring dishes to break, believing it to be good luck. The third day is the religious ceremony, and the bride and flower girl walk down the aisle.

Welsh

Traditionally, a Welsh bride carries a bouquet of myrtle leaves, which signifies love in life. She then gives her bridesmaids a cutting to plant and if it blossoms, the girl will soon marry. Welsh brides also believe that it is lucky to be woken by birdsong on the morning of their wedding. Another fun custom, is when the bride's family kidnaps her on the wedding day, just before the ceremony. The groom and his family follow to look for her, and whoever finds her will be the next to get married.

Beautiful Weddings in Colorado Springs

No matter what traditions and symbolic ceremonies you choose to have in your wedding, it will look beautiful at the Historic Pinecrest. Our beautiful Colorado Springs venue features a breathtaking moutain chapel, and a large event center that will be perfect for your wedding reception. We would love to assist you in creating the wedding of your dreams! Give us a call or text us at 719-357-8613 today to see if your date is available!

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