I looooove international weddings, in fact I’m still *dreaming* I’ll travel around the world one year and shoot a wedding in every country I go visit, I love learning about other cultures & experiencing their customs. :o) Not sure which weddings I like the most (so far), but the Cambodian ceremony (-ies!) are really fascinating. The article below doesn’t do them justice, there are so many different elements to those weddings, and the costumes are just mind-blowing beautiful. I also love Indian weddings (though I’m still waiting for my first groom to arrive on an elephant, haha). So I think my dream weddings that I’m still dying to shoot are: a wedding in Thailand, a wedding in the middle of Rome or Tuscany (mmmmmmmm, I loooove Italy), a wedding in an old castle by the sea in Ireland, a wedding on one of the Greek Islands (preferably Mykonos) a wedding in Morocco (Marrakesh to be precise :o) ), oh and how about a traditional wedding in Japan & Indonesia. Please somebody make me happy! :o)
Those that know me (I hate writing), will wonder where this huge article (below) came from, and I have to admit, I collected most of the info from all sorts of websites. I grabbed most of the info from the BeauCoup website, so click on the “read more” links if you want to read the whole articles :o) If you are interested reading more about other customs you should also check out Charming Weddings.
African Wedding Traditions:
You may have heard of “jumping the broom.” It is a tradition stemming back to the days of slavery when slaves were forbidden from marrying. They created this ritual to represent the beginning of their new life together. In modern ceremonies, couples jump over a broom, often decorated with ribbon and tulle. Cowrie or other seashells represent purity and beauty in African culture. In Morocco, bridesmaids bathe the bride in hammam before the ceremony, then apply henna-stained designs to her hands and feet before dressing her in her wedding gown. During the ceremony, there is a tradition that involves tasting the four elements: lemon for sour, vinegar for bitter, cayenne pepper for hot, and honey for sweet. The four tastes represent the different times or moods of married life. In some tribes, the couple’s wrists were bound with plaited grass for the ceremony and the walk down the aisle. Many couples incorporate this tradition by simply holding hands … read more
To see one of my Afro American weddings, check out Kiara & Bob’s post.
Cambodian Wedding Traditions:
Khmer weddings symbolize the beautiful legend of the origin of Cambodia and parallels the marriage of the first Khmer prince, Preah Thong, to the naga princess, Neang Neak. The prince was a foreigner exiled from his homeland, and during his travels encountered and fell in love with the naga princess. As a marriage gift, the father of the naga princess swallowed a part of the ocean, and thus formed the land of Cambodia. A traditional Khmer wedding is one of the most joyous occasions for a Khmer family and typically lasts from three days to an entire week. It is a grand affair, full of color and festivity, as well as steeped in tradition. Family, friends, and other members of the community come together to share in the celebration. Musicians play throughout the day on traditional instruments, and the couple is dressed like royalty. The bride may change her outfit several times in one day. If the wedding were a weeklong affair, she could declare the color of her dress each day and the guests would dress only in that color … read more
Cambodian-inspired wedding idea: Have jasmine flowers scattered for the bride’s walk down the aisle. For wedding favors, try colorful and scented candles with red and gold ribbons.
To see one of my Cambodian weddings, check out Audria & Sam’s post.
Chinese Wedding Traditions:
The wedding date is picked carefully according to astrological signs and birth dates, and the ceremony begins on the half hour to cement the couple’s good fortune. The night before the wedding day, the bride is bathed in citrus-infused water to cleanse her of evil influences. Many modern brides change into three different outfits throughout the night. The three dresses include a traditional white dress, a traditional Chinese bridal dress for the tea ceremony and a cocktail dress to send off the guests. On the day of the wedding, the groom is typically placed through a series of tests or stunts by bridesmaids to prove his worth before he is allowed to pick up his future bride. Traditionally, he would carry out the stunts until he would present them with red envelopes of money. When the bride arrives at the groom’s home, she is greeted by firecrackers and gongs and she will have to jump over an iron basin lit with charcoal to represent prosperity and keep evil spirits away … read more
Chinese-inspired wedding idea: Have fireworks go off during pivotal moments; the kiss, the toast, first dance, etc. If you’ve already a house and furnished it, request that gifts be monetary instead. Send red envelopes along with wedding invitations and tell your guests your wedding is Chinese-inspired.
To see one of my Chinese weddings, check out Irene & George’s post.
French Wedding Traditions:
The groom customarily walks his mother down the aisle before arriving at the alter to be married. This is a lovely gesture that can be easily adopted and will surely elicit a collective “aww” from the audience. On the day of the wedding, the bride would take a long bath to wash away any thoughts of previous lives or loves. It is traditional for the groom to pick up his bride at her house and walk to the chapel. Typically in small towns, children block their path with white ribbons, which the bride cuts to symbolize breaking through these obstacles … read more
French-inspired wedding idea: Small two-handled cups filled with piece montee (caramelized cream puffs) and dragees (sugar coated almonds) are great wedding favors.
German Wedding Traditions:
Breaking dishes, pots, or anything that will break into pieces and then cleaning it up together is said to bring good luck to the bride and groom just before the wedding. The idea is to prepare the bride and groom for facing life’s trials. At some point during the reception, the bride is kidnapped by the groomsmen where they will take her to a pub. Once the groom finds her he is supposed to invite everyone in the pub to a drink and cover the bride’s bill. At midnight the bride’s crown is replaced by a bonnet. It is bad luck to try on someone else’s crown or to take it off before then … read more
German-inspired wedding idea: Put white ribbons in the bridal bouquet. (White ribbons are common in German weddings.) For wedding favors, layer salt crystals and colorful grains in small corked bottles.
Greek Wedding Traditions:
Even before the betrothal, the mother of the bride usually spends years collecting various household items for her daughter’s dowry. When the dowry has been presented to the couple, local girls volunteer to set up and decorate. During the engagement, the bride and groom wear their rings on the left hand and after they are married, the couple switches their rings to the right. Before the ceremony, musicians accompany the groom and his attendants to the church and then they make their way back to pick up and accompany the bride. In the Greek tradition, the bride and groom are honored as queen and king for the day, and so during the ceremony they wear crowns made of either gold or orange blossoms that are connected with a ribbon to signify the union. During the reception, traditional Greek food is served and guests dance to Greek music in the traditional style. During one of the newlywed dances, guests pin money onto the bride and after the celebration, dishes are smashed on the floor with choruses of “opa” for good luck … read more
Greek-inspired wedding idea: Weave orange blossoms on the bride’s veil and a few pinned on the groom’s lapel. For wedding favors, place candy-coated almonds (Bom Bom Yara) in small bags tied with gold ribbons.
To see one of my Greek weddings, check out Alexis & William’s or Aikaterini’s & Athanacio’s post.
Indian Wedding Traditions:
Indian weddings are traditionally multi-day affairs, and involve many intricate ceremonies, such as the painting of the hands and feet of the bride called a mehndi. Garlands are presented to guests of honor instead of corsages, and lots of flower or rose petals are thrown for good. The wedding altar (mandapa) is built the day of and the groom is welcomed by his future mother in law where his feet are then washed and he is offered milk and honey. His sister in law will attempt to steal his shoes and if she succeeds, the groom must pay her to get them back. An Indian groom typically wears a turban with a veil of flowers to protect him from evil spirits. The parents give the bride away, but they do not eat before the wedding to remain pure for the occasion. The bride’s saree is tied to the groom’s scarf to symbolize the union of the souls. During a similar ceremony, a cord is tied around the couple’s necks to protect them from evil and they are typically tied by elders of the bride and groom … read more
Indian-inspired wedding idea: Garlands are used in traditional Indian weddings so have you and your groom put floral garlands around each other. Elephant-shaped scented soaps will be great wedding favors.
To see one of my Indian weddings, check out Laura & Sameer’s post.
Irish Wedding Traditions:
The night before the wedding, the groom would be invited to the bride’s house, where a cooked goose would be served in his honor. A sunny wedding day meant good luck, and one way to insure it would be a fine day was to place a statue of the Infant of Prague outside the church before the ceremony. The traditional wedding ring is called a claddagh, and depicts two hands holding a heart bearing a crown. The hands represent faith, the heart love, and the crown honor. A popular Celtic design is the love knot. It is a pattern created by using continuous, unending lines that intertwine. The design represents eternity, unity, and fidelity and is an important part of the ceremony. A four leaf clover depicts hope, faith, love, and luck. A fun way to incorporate the lucky clover is to include mini pots of shamrocks for décor … read more
Irish-inspired wedding idea: How about shamrock-shaped chocolates wrapped in gold, silver and green foil as wedding favors? Embroider four leaf clovers on wedding attires.
Italian Wedding Traditions:
During the proposal, a groom will typically serenade her first and then present her with a diamond ring because of the belief that a diamond was created by the flames of love. Sunday weddings are the luckiest and if a bride wears green the night before the wedding, it will bring luck and abundance to the couple. Conversely, if she wears gold on the day of the wedding or before it, she will receive bad luck. On the way to the church, the bride and groom will receive several challenges involving a fallen broom, a crying baby, or other household chores to test their skills before marriage. In Northern Italy, the groom brings the bride’s bouquet and he chooses the color and style of the flowers as his gift to her. To ward off the evil-eye from envious people, a groom should carry a piece of iron (toc ferro). At the reception, all the men at the reception are supposed to kiss the bride for good luck and to make the groom jealous … read more
Italian-inspired wedding idea: Sugar and chocolate-coated almonds in tulle bags or small porcelain boxes make great Italian wedding favors. For the reception, serve Italian cuisine – antipasto, olives, calamari, wanda (sugar-covered fried dough twists) and pickled peppers.
To see one of my Italian weddings, check out Kara & Jacin’s or Sacha & Larry’s post.
Japanese Wedding Traditions:
The Japanese ritual of “san-san-kudo”, the three by three exchange is rich with meaning. It is performed by the bride and groom and both sets of parents; each person takes 3 sips of sake from each of 3 cups. The first 3 represent three couples, the bride and groom, and their parents. The second 3 represent three human flaws: hatred, passion, and ignorance. “Ku”, or 9 is a lucky number in Japanese culture. And “do” means deliverance from the three flaws. The crane is a symbol of longevity and prosperity and so 1,001 gold origami cranes are folded to bring luck, good fortune, longevity, fidelity, and peace to the marriage … read more
Japanese-inspired wedding idea: Traditional Japanese candies in sake cups make for impressive wedding favors.
To see one of my Japanese weddings, check out Sayaka’s & Duncan’s post. (coming shortly)
Korean Wedding Traditions:
Before the wedding takes place, a bride must participate in a traditional introduction ceremony where she is accepted into. Ducks and geese are animals that are known to mate for life and so in the olden days, the groom would give his mother in law a live goose to represent his fidelity, but now the live goose has been replaced by a wooden one. In Korean culture these animals are the perfect symbols of fidelity and are incorporated into weddings. Cranes also represent a long life and so they are usually incorporated into the bride’s sash. The bride wears two dresses which are said to be from the noble class, a light green wonsam and an elaborate hwarrot or flower robe. Underneath, she wears a traditional robe. On her head, she wears a black gem-studded cap and she wears white socks with embroidered shoes. Her make-up is simple with three red nickel-sized circles to ward off evil spirits. The groom wears the dress of nobility as well, and it is made of dark green damask with embroidered auspicious symbols in gold and a tall black cap headdress made of silk … read more
Korean-inspired wedding idea: Small wooden geese carvings or duck-shaped chocolates are great wedding favors.
To see one of my Korean weddings, check out MiJung’s & Young’s post.
Polish Wedding Traditions:
It’s funny. Having been born in Poland myself, I actually never had a chance to attend a real Polish wedding. So I had to research info for their customs too, haha. Here we go: The night before a girl in Poland hears her wedding bells, her mother and female relatives redo her customary single maidenly braid into two. This traditional wedding hair style symbolizes the new step the bride-to-be is taking into marriage. The “money dance” is always popular at a traditional reception in Poland. Guests pin money to the bride’s wedding dress to buy a dance from her. The newlyweds might put these gifts of cash towards their honeymoon expenses. More traditionally, the maid of honor wears an apron and collects the money given by the guest to dance with the bride. After all the guests have danced with the bride, they form a tight circle around her, and the groom tries to break through the circle while the guests try hard to keep him out. Once he breaks through, he picks up his bride and carries her away from the wedding reception. The money collected during the dance is sent with them to spend on their honeymoon. The sharing of bread, salt and wine is an important feature of weddings in Poland. The parents of the newly married couple will present them with rye bread, lightly sprinkled with salt, and a glass of wine. The bread represents the hope that the bride and groom will never go hungry. The salt is a reminder that life may be difficult at times, but that they will learn to cope. The wine symbolizes the desire that the couple will never go thirsty, and that their lives will be filled with health and happiness. The removal of the bridal veil, known as the oczepiny ceremony, is another traditional element of a Polish wedding day. The bride’s veil will be removed as she enters the reception hall, signifying the end of her maidenhood and her transition to a married woman. A funny hat will be placed on the groom’s head, representing the wish that the marriage will be full of happiness and laughter … read more
Spanish / Latin-American Wedding Traditions:
Spanish culture is filled with rich traditions. Historically, the night before the wedding, hand lanterns were used to light the way from the groom’s home to the bride’s home. The groom’s family would then carry a wedding chest filled with gifts for the bride’s family. The groom is not allowed to see his bride before the wedding and it was the bride’s father’s job to keep her hidden before the wedding and of course give away his daughter. As in France, the groom escorts his mother down the aisle. The mantilla veil is common and in Spain brides wear black silk dresses to symbolize their devotion until death; however in recent years Spanish brides have worn white dresses as well. In Spanish and Latin American culture the bride and groom wear their rings on their right hand. After the ceremony, a festive mariachi band, salsa music, or a Spanish guitarist would bring an abundance of fun to the reception. During the first dance, the guests form a heart shape around the newlyweds to cheer them on … read more
To see one of my Latin weddings check out Ivelisse & Greg’s or Nicole & Rafael’s post (coming shortly).
Scottish Wedding Traditions:
During the engagement, Scottish brooches (Luckenbooth) are given as tokens of love and they are usually made of silver and engraved with two intertwined hearts. If the couple pins it to the blanket of their first born it will bring. On the day of the wedding, the bridal party would make their way to the church strewing flower petals on the way, but if they encountered a funeral or a pig it was considered bad luck and they would have to turn around and start over. The clergyman would then meet them and during the mass he would bless the food brought by the guests and kiss the bride. The bag pipes or traditional Gaelic hymns are typically played or sang in the ceremony. Traditionally, the groom wears a kilt, a kilt jacket, and a sporran in his clan colors and the couple participates in a hand fasting ceremony where their wrists are bound together by a cloth or string. As the bride walks out of the church, a toddler would hand a horseshoe to the bride for good luck, and the bride and groom would then scatter coins for the assembled children to collect, so that their kindness would be returned to them throughout their marriage … read more
Swiss Wedding Traditions:
I have to admit, the last Swiss wedding I attended was years ago, in fact I think I was like 15 years old. As much as I’d like to write a long article about it, I had to double-check most of the info from the internet just in case I missed something … And let me tell you, there is a lot of untrue stuff out there, haha … so I don’t know how you feel about the articles above (if you’re from one of those countries I mentioned), but I tried my best … The one thing I can say for sure (unless things have changed since I moved) is that Swiss weddings are VERY small compared to American weddings. Our wedding parties consist of only the best man & the maid of honor, and we don’t go too crazy with the receptions, we keep it simple yet elegant. I’d say Swiss weddings are VERY “humble”. Most guests actually only get to go to the ceremony as only a third of the guests will get invited to the after-dinner. Unlike most people, the Swiss hold their weddings after they are already man and wife, since they are required by law to marry at a registry office before exchanging vows in a church. Once they have the proper documents, the newlyweds are free to hold a ceremony anywhere they choose (though I haven’t heard of many outdoor weddings, in fact, I’d say most of them will be held in a church), and many bypass their local church in favor of a castle courtyard or alpine chapel. Finding clergy willing to perform weddings outside their own parishes is not easy. The traditional Swiss wedding consists of an early-afternoon church ceremony followed by an apéritif for 100-150 people served nearby, usually in the courtyard of the church. Later there is an elegant dinner for around 50 (!) close friends and family members, often in a different town or canton … read more
