Would You Put A Smile Ban During Your Wedding Ceremony?
From beating the groom’s feet to a ban on smiling, take a look at some of the most unique wedding customs from around the world…
At the heart of it, weddings are all about customs and rituals that bind a community together. Whether it’s applying henna to a bride’s hands before her wedding or circling fire as you repeat vows for your eternal match, rituals are an inescapable part of weddings. While you might be familiar with the aforementioned customs, some from around the world will leave you shocked.
From China’s ritual of crying for a month to cutting a log to show your commitment to each other in Germany, check out some of the most bizarre wedding rituals from around the world…
Most unique wedding rituals around the world
Crying ritual of the Tujia people in China
In the Tujia culture, brides are required to cry for an hour each day for a month before the wedding. Mothers, grandmothers, and other female relatives join in, creating a ‘crying chorus’. The ritual is supposed to express the bride’s reluctance to leave her family.
Beating the groom’s feet in South Korea
In South Korea, after the wedding ceremony, friends of the groom take off his shoes, tie his ankles with rope, and beat his feet with dried fish or a cane. This hilarious tradition is meant to prepare the groom for his first night as a married man.
Bread and salt offering in Russia
In Russian weddings, the newlyweds are welcomed with bread and salt as a symbol of prosperity and hospitality. The parents of the couple present them with a loaf of bread (symbolising prosperity) and a salt holder (symbolising the bitterness of life). The couple takes a bite of bread dipped in salt to signify their willingness to share all kinds of experiences of life.
The blackening of the bride and groom in Scotland
Scottish brides and grooms might find themselves covered in a mix of flour, soot, and feathers before their wedding day. This messy tradition, known as ‘blackening’, is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
Ban on smiling in Congo
In Congolese weddings, the bride and groom must keep a straight face throughout the entire ceremony and reception. Smiling is considered a sign that the couple isn’t serious about their marriage.
Log cutting in Germany
After the wedding ceremony, German couples saw a log in half together as a demonstration of their teamwork and ability to overcome obstacles. It’s a fun and symbolic tradition.
Whale tooth proposal in Fiji
In Fiji, a man must present his future father-in-law with a sperm whale’s tooth when asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage. This unique and challenging tradition shows the groom’s resourcefulness and dedication.
Drinking from a toilet bowl in France
In a tradition known as La Soupe, French newlyweds drink leftover wedding punch from a toilet bowl. Originally, it involved real toilet bowls, but nowadays, it's just symbolic. This quirky custom is meant to give the couple strength and vitality.
The Maasai spitting tradition in Kenya
In Maasai culture, the father of the bride blesses his daughter by spitting on her head and chest. While it might sound strange, this is a sign of good luck and fortune.
Bathroom ban in Borneo
In Borneo, newlyweds of the Tidong community are confined to their houses and not allowed to use the bathroom for three days and nights. This unusual custom is believed to ensure a strong marital bond and prevent infidelity.