11 Unique Wedding Traditions from Around the Globe

Wedding traditions and trends are unique to different cultures and countries. Here are some of the most unique wedding traditions around the world.

There are endless ways to tie the knot. Of course, not every household in any country partakes in their typical wedding traditions. Some only apply to select communities, while others may also incorporate modern variations.

Regardless of where you come from, who you love, or how you show that love on your special wedding day, you deserve the wedding of your dreams.

In the blog post, we dive into some of the most unique wedding traditions around the world. Let’s spin the globe!

ASIA — Wedding Traditions

From piggyback rides to Henna tattoos; India, South Korea, China, and Japan are home to some of the world’s most beautifully unique wedding traditions.

1. India

With weddings typically lasting for three days, Indian brides and grooms look forward to countless traditions and rituals. The groom’s shoes are the center of one common pre-wedding tradition. The bride’s family and friends hide them! The groom and his party must find them before the wedding.

If the shoes aren't found in time, the groom will have to pay up! This wedding tradition is called Jot Chupai. What a fun, lighthearted way to start a marriage, don’t you think?

A more well-known pre-wedding ritual in India involves henna tattoos. Delicate and personalized artwork is painted on the skin. Typically, the henna art, also known as mend, will last more than two weeks. This symbolizes an extended way to honor love. The mother of the bride, Maid of Honor, aunts, and friends may also wear henna.

These trends also make for some amazing photo sessions.

2. South Korea

Pyebaek ceremonies are one of the most eye-catching wedding trends in South Korea. Exclusive to family members of the bride and groom, this tradition involves several symbolic processes. One of which includes the groom offering piggyback rides. First, he offers one to his mother and then one to his bride. The playful act symbolizes his dedication to both women.

Another unique Pyebaek tradition involves dates and chestnuts. In Korean culture, they symbolize how many children the couple will have. The food flies through the air in a tossing exchange between the bride, groom, and their parents.

Mandarin ducks may also play a role in a South Korean ceremony. Because the ducks are known to mate for life, wooden ducks became a wedding trend. To predict whether the couple will have boys or girls, the mother of the groom usually tosses a carved duck or goose to the bride. If she catches the bird, the wedding tradition suggests her first child will be a boy. If she doesn’t, it’s said she will have a girl!

3. China

A red dress versus a white dress. That’s the question for brides in China! Red is a symbol of love and loyalty in China.

Joining in on the fun, the maid of honor will typically wear a red silk dress with the bride. Much like not wearing white to a wedding in the West, wedding attendees in China avoid wearing red. Brides in China are also known to wear a red veil alongside their mother, or an attendant will hold a red parasol over the bride’s head.

Sharing a cup of tea the day before the wedding is another tradition for the families of the bride and groom. Kneeling, the couple graciously serves their parents, grandparents, and other ranking family members. Then, in exchange, the couple is blessed by the attending family members.

4. Japan

San-san-kudo—which translates to three three nine times—is one of Japan’s oldest wedding traditions, dating back to the 1600s.

Often wearing traditional kimonos, the couple drinks sake to symbolize their unity. There are three types of sake cups. The small cup represents the past, while the medium cup represents the present. The largest of the cups represents the future and the wish to build a happy family.

In Japanese culture, three is considered a lucky number because it cannot be divided by two. As a result, couples will sip sake from each cup three times. Sometimes, the parents will participate too.

The san-san-kudo, along with the full Japanese wedding ceremony, typically takes place around lunchtime, rather than in the evening. Overall, the san-san-kudo symbolizes love, wisdom, and happiness.

Afarose Insider Tip: For a more modern Japanese wedding, as long as your not out-dressing the bride, you should be fine. However, white dresses are still a no-go. Typical Japanese standards are similar to Western standards, including making sure to not out-dress the bride. Men are also discouraged from wearing black ties, which are reserved for funerals.

EUROPE — Wedding Traditions

Breaking glass and warding off evil are some wedding traditions in different cultures throughout Europe.

5. Germany

Baumstamm Sägen is all the rage in Germany, where couples saw a log in half shortly after leaving the chapel. It’s symbolic of obstacles the couple may face together in marriage. A large and long manual saw makes the task more complicated. This first official act together is usually observed by family members and takes place at the wedding reception.

Polterabend (which translates to loud evening) is where wedding parties shatter dishes the night before a wedding. As if they don’t have enough going on, the soon-to-be-married couple has to clean the mess up together. Under German wedding traditions, this is also a way for the couple to bond through teamwork. The shards of glass are also believed to bring good luck.

Afarose Insider Tip: In Germany, wedding rings are worn on the right hand, while the engagement ring is worn on the left hand. In Germany, once the couple is married, the engagement ring moves over to the right hand to join the wedding ring.

6. Armenia

Warding off evil from a marriage is a top priority in Armenia. You’ll be intrigued to learn how flatbread comes into the equation! The wedding party gathers at the groom’s house to watch the soon-to-be-married couple break a plate for good luck. Then, the groom’s mother will present a Middle Eastern flatbread called lavash, which the couple will balance on their shoulders. For locals, this practice prevents evil. Afterward, the couple will eat honey, and then the real party starts with Armenian dances.

Another interesting bit about Armenian weddings is that they are the source of the “first look” wedding trend. In Armenian culture, the moment the bride and groom see each other on their wedding day is almost ceremonial. The bride will get ready for the wedding at her parent’s house. Then the groom and his loved ones will arrive with gifts for the bride. Traditional folk music plays as the father of the bride brings his daughter to the groom. After that special first look, the wedding party will head to the church or ceremony venue.

7. Norway

Also intent on warding off evil spirits, a Norwegian wedding tradition calls for brides to wear silver or gold crowns with dangling charms that make tinkling noises. The sounds of the charms are supposed to deflect evil spirits.

Clunking of the charms is a must because, under Norwegian tradition, music is supposed to ward off evil spirits. In addition to the sounds of the dangling charms, the newlywed couple must also dance to ensure the couple’s future happiness.

AFRICA — Wedding Traditions

8. Niger

A camel dance turns heads at wedding ceremonies in Niger. Real camels in the desert complete these unique reception dances. A site to see—you’ll hear the beat of drums while watching a camel march around and entertain the masses.

9. The Democratic Republic of the Congo

In contrast to the rest of the world, weddings in Congo are much more serious. Couples are actually discouraged from smiling or laughing throughout the ceremony. This tone starts at the wedding ceremony, continues through the reception, and even lasts through photo sessions.

You may be wondering: why? The answer is not at all as somber as you may think. In the Congo, smiling during weddings signifies that couples aren’t serious about their marriage. So instead, all Congolese couples must be all business on their special day. To be fair, suppressing a grin for a few hours is a small price to pay for a lifetime of happiness.

THE AMERICAS — Wedding Traditions

Cake dancing and more wedding smashing! In the Americas, Guatemala and Canouan—a small Caribbean island—have some of the world’s most stand-out wedding traditions.

10. Guatemala

Traditionally, in Guatemala, the parents of the groom get to do whatever they want at a wedding. In most cases, they’ll host a ceremony at their own home and start breaking things! One object of interest? A smashed white bell filled with grains and flour. It represents bringing prosperity to the couple. Also, in Guatemalan weddings, the mother of the groom is considered the host of the wedding, so she gets to do the honor of smashing the bell.

In Guatemala, it's believed that the longer the wedding veil, the happier the marriage will be. It’s also typical for the groom to pay for his bride’s wedding outfit.

One additional wedding tradition is called icompadrascoi—which is said to make the relationship between the two families official. Newlyweds and their families will kneel. A community elder then bathes them in smoke as they all hug. This ceremony is representative of merging families and the parents becoming official in-laws.

11. Canouan

Cake dancing is a beloved pastime on the tiny island of Canouan! The Caribbean hot spot has a population of around 2,000 people. Movement and dancing are a large part of the island’s culture, so it’s only fitting that a dancing cake is part of the wedding.

In Canouan, the bride won’t see her cake until the wedding day. Two flag dancers and two cake dancers deliver both her cake and the groom’s cake as part of a festive dance.

The dancing ceremony also symbolizes hierarchy in a household, traditionally with the man at the top of that hierarchy. For even more fun, sometimes the bride’s dancers will challenge the groom’s dancers by holding their cake higher than the groom’s cake. Whatever they do, they must not drop the cake! If any cake falls during the dance, it’s considered to be bad luck.

For foreign brides and grooms dreaming of a unique cultural experience beyond their own, they can also partake in Canouan ceremonies. This ceremony, in particular, is offered for destination weddings and vow renewals. What a special way to celebrate and experience the local culture!

Afarose is not only your go-to resource for the most fashionable wedding trends but also cultural wedding phenomena and symbolism—including things like the meaning behind western wedding traditions.

Match Your Wedding Traditions with the Perfect Dress!

With Afarose’s expansive collection of dresses, you’re likely to find a few options that are not just beautiful, but appropriate for certain wedding traditions.

As a brand, Afarose embraces different cultures and people around the world. Our team believes that each bride is wonderfully unique. The dress is a way for her to show everyone who she is—down to every detail in her own individual style—for one of the most important days of her life. With strong and diverse values, our team is not just a go-to resource for wedding solutions, but your lifelong partner for relationship success and marriage tips.

Want to learn more? Schedule your complimentary personal consultation today. While you’re at it, feel free to shop the latest additions to the Afarose 2022 collection.

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