A wedding is a religious ceremony that unites two people in matrimony. The main goal of a wedding is to celebrate and formally establish the couple’s commitment to one another, while the specifics of a wedding vary greatly among cultures, religions, and personal preferences.
Cultural Variations
- Indian Weddings: celebrations that are frequently multi-day affairs that feature intricate rituals, vibrant clothing, and multiple ceremonies, like the Mehendi (henna) and Sangeet (music) evenings.
- Chinese Weddings: May involve a customary tea ceremony in which the couple shows their respect for their elders by serving them tea.
- Jewish Weddings: Include the exchanging of rings beneath the Chuppah (wedding canopy), the signing of the Ketubah (marriage document), and the groom shattering a glass.
- Western Weddings: Frequently include the bride being given away by her father, the groom wearing a formal suit, and the bride wearing a white wedding dress.
Top 10 Weirdest Traditions During Weddings
Many cultures have their own distinctive traditions and practices for celebrating weddings, some of which may appear somewhat strange or “weird” to outsiders. Ten of the most bizarre marriage customs from various civilizations are listed below:
- Blackening the Bride and Groom (Scotland)
It’s a long-standing pre-wedding tradition in some parts of Scotland, especially the northeast and the Highlands. It’s a rite of passage meant to bless the pair and get them ready for the challenges of marriage. The pair is then doused with a disorganized concoction of materials, including rotten eggs, soot, flour, feathers, and/or other unpleasant or sticky stuff. The bride and groom are surreptitiously photographed by friends and family, who frequently surprise them at home or at work. Following their complete blackening, the pair is escorted across the neighborhood. This custom is thought to ward off bad luck and provide good fortune.
- Kidnapping the Bride (Romania and Kyrgyzstan)
It is traditional for the groom to “kidnap” the bride and bring her to his house in various regions of Kyrgyzstan and Romania. This portrayal represents a bygone tradition in which the groom would kidnap his bride to prove his value.
- Marrying a Tree (India)
According to certain Indian customs, a woman must marry a tree first in order to break the curse of being born under an astrological combination known as the “Manglik dosha” before she may marry a human. Next, the tree is chopped down to represent the lifting of the curse.
- Spitting on the Bride (Kenya)
The father of the bride is said to bestow a blessing by spitting on her head and breasts in the Maasai culture of Kenya. This is intended to bless the newlyweds with luck and wealth.
- Kumbh Vivah (India)
If a lady is deemed astrologically unsuitable, she may marry a clay pot, a tradition akin to the tree marriage. After that, the pot is destroyed, allowing her to wed a human.
- Log Cutting (Germany)
Baumstamm sägen, or log cutting, is a customary German wedding practice that represents the couple’s capacity to collaborate and meet obstacles head-on as a cohesive unit. This special ceremony symbolizes cooperation and partnership in marriage both literally and figuratively.
- Bathroom Ban (Tidong Community, Borneo)
Bornean newlyweds of the Tidong community are forbidden from using the restroom for three days and nights following their nuptials. The pair is rigorously watched throughout this time to make sure they follow the prohibition. This part of the rite may be supervised by family members or elders in the community. To help the couple manage without using the restroom, extra accommodations and plans are made. Festivities or other customs are frequently held to commemorate the lifting of the prohibition. It is said that this custom will increase fertility and good fortune.
- Fat Farms (Mauritania)
Some Mauritania brides are transported to “fat farms” in order to put on weight in preparation for their nuptials. Being bigger is regarded as a symbol of attractiveness and riches.
- Smashing Dishes (Germany)
The night before their wedding, German couples smash plates during a custom known as Polterabend. Visitors bring broken dishes to shatter, and the couple’s task of cleaning up the mess represents their capacity to cooperate.
- Shoe Stealing (India)
A fun and well-liked custom in Indian weddings, especially among Hindu rituals, is shoe stealing, or “Joota Chupai”. This tradition, which involves the bride’s sisters and female relatives playing a playful game of mischief with the groom, adds a lively and engaging touch to the wedding celebrations. This lighthearted tradition acts as an introduction to the wedding celebrations.
Wrapping Up
These unusual wedding customs are a reflection of the many cultural values and beliefs that exist worldwide. Inside their own cultures, they have great significance and purpose, even though they might appear odd or unique to outsiders.
