20 Wedding Traditions From Around the World

Every culture has its own way of celebrating a marriage, and many of these customs carry centuries of meaning. Exploring wedding traditions around the world is a lovely way to understand other families, find ideas for a multicultural ceremony or simply enjoy the variety of human celebration. Here are 20 well-known traditions, grouped by region, with a short explanation of what each involves and what it is meant to represent.

Customs vary widely between communities, religions and individual families, even within one country. Treat these descriptions as an introduction, and if you plan to include a tradition from a culture other than your own, ask people from that background how to do it respectfully.

United Kingdom and Ireland

1. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

This English rhyme from the Victorian era suggests a bride carry four items for luck: something old for continuity, something new for the future, something borrowed from a happily married friend and something blue for faithfulness. The full rhyme also mentions a sixpence in her shoe for prosperity.

2. Handfasting

Associated with Celtic and Scottish traditions, handfasting involves loosely binding the couple’s hands with ribbons or cords during the ceremony. It is often linked to the phrase tie the knot and has become popular again in modern ceremonies of many styles.

3. The quaich

A quaich is a shallow two-handled Scottish cup. The couple each hold a handle and drink from it together, often whisky or another drink of their choice, as a sign of trust and sharing. A non-alcoholic option works just as well.

Continental Europe

4. Polterabend in Germany

On the evening before the wedding, guests gather to break porcelain and crockery. The couple then sweep up the pieces together, a lesson in teamwork that is said to bring good luck. Glass is usually avoided because it is considered unlucky.

5. Log sawing in Germany

After the ceremony, some German couples use a two-person saw to cut through a log placed on sawhorses. Working in rhythm shows the cooperation a marriage needs.

6. Croquembouche in France

Instead of a layered cake, French celebrations often feature a croquembouche, a tall cone of cream-filled choux pastry held together with caramel and sometimes decorated with spun sugar.

7. Kransekake in Norway

The Norwegian kransekake is a tower of almond cake rings stacked from largest to smallest. It is often decorated with icing, flags or small ornaments and is a centerpiece at weddings and other celebrations.

8. Stefana crowns in Greece

In Greek Orthodox weddings, the couple wears stefana, two crowns joined by a ribbon. The priest blesses them and the koumbaros, a sponsor similar to a best man, swaps the crowns between the couple three times.

9. Sugared almonds in Italy

Italian couples often give guests confetti, sugar-coated almonds, as favors. They are commonly given in odd numbers, frequently five, said to represent health, wealth, happiness, fertility and long life.

10. The karavai in Russia and Ukraine

Couples are welcomed with a large decorated round loaf called a karavai, offered with salt. Each partner takes a bite, and in playful folklore the one who takes the bigger bite will lead the household.

Jewish and South Asian Traditions

11. The chuppah

Jewish couples marry beneath a chuppah, a canopy held up by four poles and often made from a prayer shawl or decorated fabric. Its open sides are often seen as a symbol of the welcoming home the couple will build.

12. Breaking the glass

At the end of many Jewish ceremonies, a glass wrapped in cloth is broken underfoot, followed by guests shouting mazel tov. Interpretations vary, and one common view is that it recalls the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem even at a moment of joy.

13. Saptapadi, the seven steps

In Hindu weddings, the couple takes seven steps or circles around a sacred fire, with each step tied to a vow such as nourishment, strength, prosperity and lifelong friendship. In many traditions, this ritual marks the moment the marriage is complete.

East Asia

14. The Chinese tea ceremony

The couple kneels or bows and serves tea to parents and elder relatives, showing respect and gratitude. In return, elders offer blessings and often gifts such as red envelopes or jewelry.

15. San-san-kudo in Japan

In traditional Shinto ceremonies, the couple takes three sips from each of three sake cups of different sizes. The name translates roughly as three, three, nine times, and the ritual symbolizes the bond between the couple and their families.

16. Pyebaek in Korea

Pyebaek is a traditional ceremony for close family after the main wedding. Toward the end, parents may toss dates and chestnuts that the couple tries to catch in a cloth, a playful custom linked in folklore to the number of children they will have.

The Americas and Africa

17. El lazo

In many Mexican, Filipino and other Catholic Hispanic weddings, a decorative rope, rosary or floral cord is placed around the couple’s shoulders in a figure-eight shape, symbolizing unity.

18. Las arras

The groom presents the bride with thirteen gold or silver coins, often blessed by the priest. The coins represent a commitment to support the household together and are often seen as standing for Christ and the twelve apostles.

19. Jumping the broom

Many African American couples jump over a broom at the end of the ceremony. The custom gained deep significance during slavery, when enslaved people were often denied legal marriage, and today it honors heritage and a fresh start.

20. Money spraying in Nigeria

At many Nigerian receptions, guests shower the dancing couple with banknotes as a joyful sign of blessing and prosperity. Helpers usually gather the money as it falls.

Tips for Including Global Traditions

• Ask family members or a cultural or religious leader how a ritual is usually performed.
• Explain each tradition in your wedding program so guests understand its meaning.
• Blend customs from both families to reflect your shared story.
• Check venue rules before planning anything involving fire, breaking items or cash.
• Keep rituals meaningful rather than decorative; choose ones that genuinely resonate.

Final Thoughts

Wedding traditions around the world show how many beautiful ways there are to say we belong together. Whether you include one custom or several, choose the ones that honor your families, your heritage and the life you are building side by side.