Strange Wedding Traditions from Around the World
Weddings are a universal celebration of love and commitment, yet the customs surrounding them vary widely from culture to culture. While some traditions may seem romantic or familiar, others might appear downright bizarre to outsiders. Here are some of the strangest wedding customs from around the world:
1. Crying Ritual – China
In the Tujia ethnic group of China, brides begin crying a month before the wedding as a sign of joy and deep emotion. Initially, the bride cries alone, but as the days pass, her mother, grandmother, and other female relatives join in. This practice, known as "Zuo Tang," is believed to bring good luck and prepare the bride emotionally for marriage.
2. Kidnapping the Bride – Romania & Kyrgyzstan
In some parts of Romania, grooms "kidnap" their brides before the wedding. Friends of the groom stage a mock abduction, and the groom must negotiate or perform tasks to win her back. A more controversial version of bride kidnapping exists in Kyrgyzstan, where some grooms historically abduct their brides without consent—though this practice is now illegal and highly discouraged.
3. Blackening of the Bride – Scotland
Scottish brides and grooms undergo a messy pre-wedding ritual called "blackening." Friends and family cover them in treacle, feathers, flour, and various other sticky substances before parading them around town. This is meant to prepare the couple for the hardships of marriage by ensuring they can endure humiliation and discomfort together.
4. Breaking Dishes – Germany
In Germany, a tradition called "Polterabend" involves guests smashing porcelain dishes before the wedding. The couple then cleans up the shards together, symbolizing their ability to handle difficulties and work as a team in their marriage.
5. Shoe Stealing – India
In many Indian weddings, the groom removes his shoes before entering the wedding mandap (ceremony area). The bride’s family and friends then try to steal the shoes while the groom’s side attempts to protect them. If the bride’s team succeeds, the groom must pay a ransom to retrieve his footwear before the ceremony can continue.
6. Marrying a Tree – India
In Hindu astrology, people born under the “Manglik” star alignment are considered cursed in marriage. To remove the curse, some individuals, particularly women, are required to first “marry” a tree or an idol of a deity before marrying a human. The tree is then symbolically destroyed to break the curse.
7. Beating the Groom’s Feet – South Korea
In South Korea, grooms endure a quirky post-wedding tradition called "Falaka," where their feet are tied together and beaten with fish or a stick by their friends. While it may seem like torture, it is meant as a lighthearted test of strength and character before beginning married life.
8. Fat Farms – Mauritania
In Mauritania, a fuller figure is traditionally associated with beauty and prosperity. Some brides attend "fat farms" before their weddings to gain weight quickly, as being plump is considered an attractive quality and a sign of wealth in certain tribes.
9. Spitting on the Bride – Kenya
In Kenya’s Maasai culture, the bride’s father blesses her by spitting on her head and chest before she leaves with her new husband. While it might seem disrespectful to outsiders, it is actually a sign of good fortune and protection.
10. Silent Weddings – Congo
In some Congolese weddings, the bride and groom must remain completely serious throughout the entire ceremony. Smiling or laughing is considered bad luck, as it suggests they are not taking their vows seriously.
11. Toilet Custom – France
A now largely abandoned French tradition involved newlyweds drinking from a chamber pot filled with leftovers and alcohol after their wedding night. This was believed to give them energy and fertility, though today the tradition is more often simulated using chocolate or champagne.
12. No Bathroom for Three Days – Indonesia
In the Tidong community of Indonesia and Malaysia, newlyweds are forbidden from using the bathroom for three days after their wedding. They are given only minimal food and drink to help them endure. This practice is believed to bring good fortune and a strong marriage, ensuring the couple’s future fertility and happiness.
While weddings are meant to celebrate love and commitment, the ways in which different cultures honor this milestone can range from heartwarming to downright peculiar. These strange customs highlight the diversity of wedding traditions around the world, proving that love is universal—but the rituals surrounding it are anything but ordinary!