Around the world, wedding traditions are as different as the cultures and people who practice them. If you’re planning a wedding, you may already have in mind a few of your own wedding traditions. But there may be others you’d like to adopt and incorporate into your special day. Take a look at these wedding traditions from around the world that you may like to include as the perfect start to the next chapter of your lives together.
The Wishing Tree – Netherlands
This Dutch wedding tradition is one that could be easily adapted into any wedding ceremony. In place of a guest book, wedding guests in the Netherlands are invited to leave notes of good wishes on the branch of a small potted tree called a Wishing Tree. The tree itself can be adapted to complement any wedding theme – from a simple weathered tree branch for a rustic and romantic feel, to a metal and crystal tree for a modern, elegant touch.
Release the Doves – Philippines
Doves are a universal symbol of peace and love, and these white birds play an important role in Filipino weddings. Filipino newlyweds traditionally release two doves, one male and one female, as a symbol of marital peace and love in the years ahead.
Sake Sharing – Japan
This age-old Japanese tradition is called san san kudo, and literally translates to three, three, nine times. During the ceremony, the couple drink sake three times from three different cups, while exchanging cups as a symbol of exchanged vows. Both sets of parents are also invited to drink from the sake cups, to represent the union of two families.
Mehndi and Stolen Shoes – India
In Indian weddings, the bride’s oldest sister attempts to steal the groom’s shoes and the groom has to pay a bribe to get his footwear back. Indian brides spend hours getting mehndi, intricately painted henna artwork that lasts about two weeks on the skin. It’s thought to help calm the bride having to deal with the stress of a wedding day.
Money Talks – Cuba, Nigeria
In Cuba a dance with the bride comes with a price. Every man who wants to dance with the bride is required to pin money onto her dress. A great way to fund a honeymoon! And in Nigeria, guests make it rain money. Literally! It’s customary for guests to toss bills at the newlyweds as a gesture of happiness.
Chinese Tea Ceremony
Similar to sake drinking in Japan, the bride at a wedding in China traditionally would serve tea to the couple’s family before the wedding and after the ceremony. Each person is served a cup of tea and each takes a sip. After they sip, each relative hands the couple a red envelope containing money, jewellery or another token. The ceremony is a way for the couple to show love and appreciation for their families.
Marriage in traditional Māori society
Historically, traditional Māori marriages were shaped by the importance of family and tribal links, with most people’s partners ideally being chosen from within the hapū or iwi group. Nowadays, societal rules around marriage in New Zealand are much looser. Incorporating te Reo and Māori tikanga into wedding contemporary ceremonies would usually run like this:
“One of the women from the iwi that the person is marrying into will karanga, or call to invite the person and their family into the place where the ceremony is being held. This can be anywhere from a marae to a church to someone’s back lawn. Depending on how formal the ceremony is, when the guests are assembled, there may be a karakia where the atua and whenua are welcomed in by the kaumatua or the iwi’s tohunga before the wedding formalities begin.
The celebrant will take the couple through their vows to each other, and as a symbol of the love between them, the couple will place korowai around each other’s shoulders. The couple are announced married and presented to the assembled families and friends. Each person then greets the married couple with a hongi to welcome them into their new lives. The wedding ceremony is followed by a feast where family and friends will eat, sing, dance, or perform haka.”
* https://weddingsguide.co.nz/traditions-maori/
What’s Your Tradition?
There are so many wedding traditions that can be included in your wedding ceremony. Find the ones that speak to you as a couple and talk to your CANZ celebrant about how best to incorporate these into your special day. CANZ celebrants are flexible and can help design a wedding ceremony to best fit your traditions and culture. Get in touch today to find a wedding celebrant in your area.
