You might know all about wedding traditions like the bride tossing the bouquet, but sometimes we forget that other countries have their own unique traditions too. Even if you’re on the fence about changing things up for your wedding, take a look at these 15 fascinating traditions. A simple one could be exactly what you’re looking for!
Kransekake in Norway
You don’t necessarily need a traditional wedding cake, so how about a kransekake? This tower of iced almond cake rings is built over a wine bottle to reveal the wine as guests break off pieces of this nontraditional cake.
Croquembouche in France
For another cake option, try the croquembouche. This is a delicious tower of cream-filled pastries that can be dipped in sweet sauces. Usually it looks pretty great as a centerpiece too!
The Black Wedding Cake in Jamaica
It’s very common for Caribbean countries to serve a cake made from dark fruits and rum. It looks great, tastes great, and can be used later in the year for Christmas too.
The Karavaya in Russia
Share a sweetbread that’s decorated with wheat for prosperity and interlocking rings for faithfulness. Whatever spouse takes the biggest bite without using their hands is now considered the head of the family.
Ring of Flowers in Pakistan
This practice is for the groom instead of the bride! The groom wears a ring of flowers around his neck, and sometimes, the bride can get in on the fun as well.
Bows and Arrows in China
Let your husband-to- be have a little fun like they do in China. Even though the groom shoots the bride with a bow and arrow several times, she’ll be perfectly safe. Then he just collects the arrows and breaks them during the ceremony so their love will last forever.
Stealing the Groom’s Shoes: India
Give the bride’s sisters a little more fun in an Indian wedding as they steal the groom’s shoes once he enters the wedding tent. The groom then has to bribe the sisters to get those shoes back!
Salty Bread in Armenia
Armenian men and women can have a slice of some high sodium bread, made by a happily married middle aged woman, to see their future husband or wife. For your single wedding guests, this is the perfect simple tradition to try.
The Blackening in Scotland
This tradition is a little bit out there, but in Scotland, the bride, groom, or both are piled with alcohol and covered in treacle, ash, feathers, and flour the day before the wedding.
Polterabend in Germany
In Germany, hen parties and stag nights grew out of the Polterabend tradition. Basically, family and friends smash dishware outside the homes of the bride and groom the night before the wedding and the bride and groom will have to clean it up together.
Two Bouquets in Mexico
If you’re catholic, you might like this tradition especially. By carrying two bouquets, you can have one for yourself and one as a tribute to the Virgin Mary. Some traditions seem a little strange to us while others would be a welcome change to traditional ceremonies. Either way, every one of these ceremonies represents the love newlyweds have for one another, no matter what country they’re from!