Weddings Throughout the World

While certain wedding traditions are shared among multiple cultures, there are some traditions that are as unique as the bride and groom themselves. Let’s celebrate the cultural diversity.

1. Modern Chinese: Women pick three wedding dresses.

1^st: qípáo or cheongsam (usually red)
2^nd: white, big ball gown (nod to America)
3^rd: cocktail dress for reception

1. Indian: Henna-painted hands (mehndi) are a wedding tradition.

1. African American: It’s customary for the new couple to leap over a broom to declare their union.
2. Jewish: To symbolize the union, the groom breaks glass under his foot.
3. Japanese: The bride and groom sip sake to make their union official.
4. Peruvian: The cake ribbon pull for female guests is a classic – whoever pulls the ribbon with a ring tied at the end is said to be the next to get married.
5. Traditional Zulu: The groom’s family slaughters a cow, and the bride puts money in the cow’s stomach.
6. Lebanese: The groom is escorted to his bride’s house by outrageously themed dancers in a tradition called “zaffe.”
7. Russian: The bride’s family asks the groom-to-be for a “ransom” for the bride, in jest of course!
8. Mexican: The couple is bound together with a “lazo.” [see sidebar]
9. Traditional Islamic: The bride and groom are separated throughout the ceremony unless their families allow them to see each other.
10. Traditional German: The couple’s friends and family create a “wedding newspaper,” which includes stories and pictures of the bride and groom.
11. Norwegian: Wedding cakes are made from bread and topped with a combination of syrup, cheese and cream.

The lazo

The lazo is a yoke that symbolizes the marriage union. It is placed across the bride and groom in addition to the veil. The use of the lazo dates back to the 1500s.

The mantilla

The mantilla is a type of shawl made of tulle or lace. This can take the place of the lazo and is placed over the shoulders of the bride and groom as a sign of the marriage union.

The arras

The arras are 13 gold coins of the smallest denomination that are stored in a very small box. Meaning “pledge,” the bride and groom exchange them as a symbol of their pledge to each other. The number 13 symbolizes prosperity.