Have you ever wondered how cultures from all around the world celebrate weddings? Not surprisingly, wedding traditions around the globe differ due to various beliefs, cultures, folklore, and other factors. From giving a whale’s tooth to the father of the bride in Fiji to grooms gifting their new bride with a wooden spoon of love in Wales, there are plenty of fascinating traditions to talk about.
There are many other stories about unusual wedding traditions from all around the world that you won’t likely find on classic wedding websites. Keep reading to find out what some of them are!
South Korea
Grooms in South Korea go through a head-spinning act after the wedding ceremony. Namely, they must have their feet beaten before they are allowed to leave with their wives. This ritual is meant to showcase the groom’s strength and character as they are also questioned during the act. The groomsmen and family members will take off the groom’s shoes, tie his ankles with rope, and beat his bare feet with bamboo sticks, or even dried fish in some cases, while asking tough questions.
Don’t worry; it’s all in good humour. The act is not considered a punishment, but rather a fun tradition. We’re not sure that the grooms agree.
Germany
Some rituals never lose their way even in a modern country such as Germany. Some contemporary couples might avoid this ritual, but more traditional couples open their doors on the eve of their wedding. Not for a celebratory reason, though.
Instead, guests will gather at the bride’s house and smash dishes and crockery as part of a tradition called Polterabend. This tradition is believed to bring good luck to the couple as they need to work together to clean the debris, showcasing they can overcome any obstacle that they might face in the future.
There is another similar tradition in Germany, by which the newlyweds saw a log in half to show that they can work well as a team. This tradition is known by the name Baumstamm sägen.
France
Since this tradition dates back a long time, it has been adapted due to its less-than-appealing nature. The rule states that leftover food and drinks after a wedding party need to be collected and combined in a chamber pot. Yes, a chamber pot. It’s then presented to the newlyweds who must drink it to gain energy for the upcoming wedding night. Some say that finishing off the alcohol also means the end of partying and the beginning of married life. An odd wedding tradition to say the least!
Luckily, this tradition is only casually observed in the 21st century, and the newlyweds are offered some champagne and chocolate instead.
India
Women born under Mangal Dosha, which is a Hindu astrological combination, are thought to be cursed with bad luck in their marriage. It is even believed that this curse can lead to a spouse’s death once married. To break this curse, Indian brides undergo a ceremony called Kumbh Vivah where they marry a peepal or banana tree or another idol of the god Vishnu before the official wedding ceremony.
These women are often nicknamed Mangliks as a result of this superstition, and this ceremony takes place even today.
