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March 30, 2026
March 30, 2026
How to Preserve Love and Attract Good Fortune: Wedding Traditions from Around the World
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Mikhail Malenkinauthor
The internet, travel bloggers, and our own journeys constantly introduce us to the amazing cultural features of different countries and peoples. Of all rituals and traditions, wedding customs are the most vivid and memorable: in one country, arrows are shot at the bride; in another, she's doused with molasses and covered in feathers; and in a third, the groom needs a proper shave! And all of this is for the future happiness of the couple, of course.
Mexico
Down with stereotypes! A modern Mexican wedding might well have a classical string quartet as musical accompaniment, and the wedding attire could be completely trendy — yet you can't do without "el lazo." This is a symbolic lasso — a figure-eight loop made of rosary beads, decorative cord, or live plants, which is placed on the shoulders of the newlyweds to confirm their unity.
Photo: Alison Conklin
Guatemala
Ever heard of bells filled with porridge? If not, welcome to Guatemala! When the newlyweds arrive at the wedding venue, the groom's mother prepares a special surprise for them. She breaks a white ceramic bell filled not only with rice and flour but also with good wishes from all the relatives. This custom looks quite spectacular and is meant to ensure abundance, prosperity, and good luck for the newlyweds.
Japan
In Japan, brides approach the selection of wedding attire with particular care. It's essential to have three sets of wedding clothes for different parts of the ceremony. And it all begins with a pure white look. The bride is dressed only in white, from head to toe. An important part of the outfit is a dome-shaped hood. This isn't just a decoration or protection from the weather. It conceals the "horns of jealousy" and symbolizes sincerity, modesty, and hope for a harmonious family life.
Lebanon
Early in the morning, you suddenly wake up to loud sounds coming from the street: no, it's not a surprise flash mob or a carnival. It's Zaffe — a musical procession that precedes the wedding ceremony in Lebanon. Before the bride and groom seal their union, the streets fill with music, belly dancing, and joyful exclamations. Near the homes of the newlyweds, you can practically go deaf from drums, bagpipes, and horns. The noise, of course, drives away all the bad and attracts all the good!
Germany
If you're invited to a wedding in Germany, you'll be asked to bring an old porcelain plate or cup... No, the newlyweds have plenty of dishes for the banquet. You'll be smashing the dishes you brought. It's part of the tradition. Guests enthusiastically throw plates right at the doorstep of the newlyweds' home to ward off evil spirits. But what's next? Then the newlyweds arm themselves with a broom, rake, and shovel — cleaning begins — a test of their readiness to work hand in hand in any situation.
India
Imagine: you're the groom, you need to go to the wedding, and there's not a single pair of shoes left in the house. If it's also 104°F outside, then you're getting married in India, and the fun game of shoe-stealing is Joota Chupai. The bride's sisters steal the groom's shoes and demand a ransom for their safe return. Outwardly, it looks like a friendly standoff, but the ritual actually helps strengthen bonds between new relatives.
Armenia
Armenia has a unique ritual involving lavash bread. The newlyweds hold it on their shoulders as a sign of protection from evil. The groom's mother also offers the couple honey — meant to make their future life together sweet.
Photo: Kertog
Sweden
If you think Swedes are reserved, restrained, and even stuffy, this wedding custom might surprise you. Because at Swedish weddings, there's a real "kissing fever." When the bride steps away from the wedding table, all the ladies present can seize the moment and steal a quick kiss from the groom. But as they say, what's good for the goose is good for the gander: when the groom leaves, the situation is reversed. It all happens in a friendly, fun atmosphere, of course, but when making your guest list, this tradition gives you an extra reason to think about who you really want at your wedding — and who might be better to decline.
Congo
If you thought a wedding was all endless smiles, laughter, and silly photos with tongues sticking out, then no — at weddings in Congo, the situation is the opposite! Here, newlyweds maintain a serious expression, like poker players in the middle of a game. And it's not because they're against joy or fun. It's just that a smile or laugh might be perceived as a sign of insufficient respect for the marriage ceremony. If you're invited to a wedding in Congo, start training your face's "seriousness muscles" now!
Photo: hakkon.club
Romania
In Romania, the groom's friends "kidnap" the bride and then demand a ransom for her return. By the way, the kidnappers usually hide the bride in the nearest bar. So it all looks less like a Hollywood Western with chases and heroics, and more like Eastern European arthouse cinema from the 2000s with sitting around in a dimly lit pub and long phone conversations. Incidentally, the "ransom" is also usually a bottle of good liquor.
China
Don't panic if you see the groom shooting a bow at the bride — it doesn't mean he wants to kill her. You've just stumbled upon a Chinese wedding. The ritual is ancient, the bow is real, but the arrows have no tips. A shot like this can't seriously injure, but it can easily leave a couple of bruises. After three shots, the groom ceremoniously breaks the arrows. This is proof that from now on, he will never cause any harm to his future wife. Neither by word nor by deed.
Photo: chinadaily.com
Scotland
In Scotland, friends and relatives of the newlyweds put on work overalls and rubber boots to give the couple a shower of molasses, ash, flour, and feathers. And then the "dressed-up bride and groom" are paraded through town. All of this is meant to bring luck and laughter to the future spouses. Because as they say, you can't get through life without humor: not a long life, and not a married one.
Greece
Picture this: your best friend suddenly grabs your head and starts shaving your face... Good thing we're in Greece, where this isn't surprising — it's a traditional pre-wedding ritual! The first thing that comes to mind is that it's symbolic. Probably a symbol of deep trust between the groom and his "koumbaro" (best man). Not everyone holding a straight razor would you let near your neck without a fight.
The bride also has to think about strengthening social bonds and writes the names of her unmarried friends on the soles of her shoes. After all, that's the only way they'll find good husbands. There's practical calculation here. The more of your friends get married, the more often your name ends up on a sole, and the higher the chance the superstition will work!
Spain
At Spanish weddings, the groom's friends turn into fashion experts from "What Not to Wear." They take the groom's tie and cut it into small pieces. But they don't throw them away — they sell them to guests at a high price. The collected funds are given to the newlyweds as startup capital or to pay for the honeymoon.
Canada
At French-Canadian weddings, the older unmarried brothers of the newlyweds perform a special "sock dance" or "money dance." The men dance in funny socks while guests throw coins onto the dance floor. The purpose of this event, besides fun, is to collect some money for the newlyweds.
Observing such diversity and simultaneous similarity in various wedding customs, we can't help but realize that despite all differences, love, marriage, and family have always been and will remain at the center of any human civilization. It might seem that all these strange rituals no longer mean anything in modern life, but they extend our connection to our ancestors and show us where we come from. Even in the most "modern" celebration, there are still traces of the tradition in which the future spouses grew up. And that's a good thing! By using ancient customs at a wedding, we make our small contribution to preserving humanity's cultural heritage.
author
author
Mikhail Malenkinauthor