 |
ARMENIA
In Armenia, two white doves were set free to symbolize love and happiness. |
 |
|
 |
BELGIUM
The family of the bride takes a handkerchief embroidered with the bride's name to the wedding. After, the event, the handkerchief is proudly displayed in the family's home. As subsequent daughters in the family marry, their names are added and then displayed. |
|
|
 |
BERMUDA
Islanders top their wedding cakes with a tiny sapling. The newlyweds then plant the tree in their garden at home, where they can watch it grow along with their marriage. |
|
|
 |
CHINA
The betrothal was looked upon as a family obligation. If an engaged man died before the wedding, his intended bride was treated as his widow. |
|
|
 |
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Peas are thrown at Czech newlyweds instead of rice. Brides wear wreaths of rosemary for wisdom, love and loyalty |
|
|
 |
EGYPT
Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day for good luck. The bride's family traditionally does all the cooking for a week after the wedding, so the newlywed couple can relax. |
|
|
 |
ENGLAND
The English believe that a spider found in the wedding dress brings good luck. Wednesday is believed to be the best day to marry; Monday is for wealth and Tuesday for health. Saturday is the unluckiest day to marry.
A country bride and her wedding party walk to church on a carpet of blossoms to assure a happy path through life. |
|
|
 |
FIJI
The groom ceremoniously presents the bride's father with a tabua (whale tooth) as a symbol of status and wealth. |
|
|
 |
FINLAND
The future bride went door-to-door to receive her gifts in a pillowcase. She was accompanied by an elderly married man, carrying an umbrella (for shelter), and was given a drink at each door. This is why today, an umbrella is used as a decoration to symbolize protection.
A bride once wore a golden crown during the ceremony. Later she was blindfolded while unmarried women danced around her. Whomever she crowned was predicted to be the next bride. |
|
|
 |
FRANCE
The bride and groom drink a reception toast from an engraved silver two - handled cup, called a "coupe de marriage", and pass it on to future generations. |
|
|
 |
GREECE
The Greek bride tucks a sugar cube in her glove to "sweeten the union". |
|
|
 |
INDIA
At the close of the wedding ceremony, the groom's brother sprinkles flower petals on the bridal couple. A coconut may be held over the couple's heads, as they are circled three times. This custom is another way of banishing evil spirits.
The groom's brother sprinkles flower petals on the couple at conclusion of the ceremony. Each family has prepared puffed rice which is mixed during the ceremony for prosperity and fertility. |
|
|
 |
IRAN
In Persian times, the groom bought ten yards of white sheeting to wrap around the bride as a wedding dress. |
|
|
 |
IRELAND
December 31 is considered the luckiest day for weddings in Ireland. |
|
|
 |
ISRAEL
For centuries, couples have had a marriage contract in the form of written vows, called a ketubbah, which is embellished by an artisan with bible verses and decorative borders symbolizing the home. |
|
|
 |
ITALY
In Italy, the groom's tie was cut into pieces and sold to the guests at the reception. The money earned is used for the honeymoon. Since Roman times, couples have walked through the village passing out cakes and sweets. |
|
|
 |
JAPAN
A Japanese bride may change her attire, as often as two or three times during her wedding day. She may begin with the traditional kimono and "end" with a western-style, white dress. The kimono worn at girl's wedding will traditionally be a very expensive antique and will usually be rented not bought. The bride and groom take nine sips of sake, becoming husband and wife after the first sip. |
|
|
 |
KOREA
Ducks, which mate for life, are a part of the wedding procession. Years ago, the groom would travel to the bride’s house on a white pony. The pony would carry a gray goose and gander as a symbol of his fidelity. |
|
|
 |
MALAYSIA
The groom has his gifts to his bride delivered to her home by costumed children. The procession is noisy and exuberant. They carry lavish trays of food and currency. The paper money is folded into animal or flower shapes. Traditionally, each wedding guest is given a beautifully decorated hard-boiled egg, a symbol of fertility. |
|
|
 |
MEXICO
A white silk cord is draped around the couple's shoulders to indicate their union. Later, guests hold hands in a heart - shaped circle while the newlyweds dance in the centre. |
|
|
 |
MOROCCO
Moroccan women take a milk bath to purify themselves before the wedding. |
|
|
 |
PHILIPPINES
The white silk cord custom is practiced here as well as in Mexico. All wedding expenses are met by the groom's family, who give the bride old coins symbolizing prosperity. The bride's family presents the newlyweds with a cash dowry. |
|
|
 |
RUSSIA
Wedding guests, other than family, receive gifts rather than give them. |
|
|
 |
SCOTLAND
The traditional Scottish wedding cake consists of two tiers of brandy-flavored fruitcake. The cake is baked at the time of the couple's engagement. Only the tier is eaten at the wedding celebration, while the other is saved to celebrate the birth of the couple's first born. |
|
|
 |
SOUTH AFRICA
In South Africa, both bride's and groom's parents carried a fire from the hearths of their own home and took this fire to the new couple's home to begin the fire in their home. |
|
|
 |
SWEDEN
A Swedish bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her mother in each shoe to ensure she never has to go without.
Brides carry fragrant herb bouquets to frighten away trolls and grooms have thyme sewn into their wedding suit. |
|
|
 |
SWITZERLAND
A pine tree, a symbol of fertility and luck, was once planted outside a new couple's home.
Junior bridesmaids carry colored hankies. Guests may "buy" one of the handkerchiefs by contributing a dollar to the couples "nest egg". |
|
|
 |
WALES
A man would often carve a spoon from a piece of wood with his pocket knife. This would be attached to a ribbon and worn by a girl around her neck as a sign of their engagement. |
|
|
