Wedding Traditions from Around the World

If you are tired of the typical wedding ceremony customs and want to add a bit of unique flair to your ceremony, here are a few ideas to take from other cultures:

1. In Hawaiian weddings, before wedding ceremony vows are recited, floral leis are exchanged. The garlands symbolize love and respect.
   
   
2. In Celtic wedding ceremony traditions, the bride’s and groom’s wrists are bound together with a velvet cloth, piece of rope, or rosary beads while the ceremony is being performed.
   
   
3. In Hindu wedding ceremony customs, a couple will encircle a fire seven times to show their unity and commitment to each other.
   
   
4. To glean from Indian traditions, have the brother of the groom (or the best man) sprinkle flower petals over the heads of the bride and groom during the ceremony to ward off evil spirits.
   
   
5. In Quaker wedding traditions, the bride is not given away by her father, as she is the supreme authority over herself.
   
   
6. In Greek wedding traditions, the couple sips from a cup of wine three times, which symbolizes the Trinity.
   
   
7. In Switzerland, junior bridesmaids carry handkerchiefs around, which guests can purchase. The money goes toward the bride and groom’s new home.

Read more:

• Wedding Superstitions & Folklore from Around the World
  
• Global Wedding Traditions to Consider
  
• International Wedding Reception Rituals