Unique Customs to inspire your big day

Weddings are celebrated in countless ways across the globe, with each culture bringing its own unique traditions to the table. Whether you’re planning your wedding or just love learning about different customs, these fascinating wedding traditions from around the world will inspire you and add a touch of culture to your big day.

India: The Mehendi Ceremony

In Indian weddings, the bride’s hands and feet are adorned with intricate henna designs during the Mehendi ceremony. This event, often filled with music and dancing, is a joyous pre-wedding celebration.

Inspiration: Incorporate a henna station at your wedding for guests to get beautiful temporary tattoos as a fun and unique activity. You could also hire a live tattooist with a few custom designs for guests who want something more permanent to commemorate your special day.

China: The Tea Ceremony

A traditional Chinese wedding often includes a tea ceremony where the couple serves tea to their elders as a sign of respect and gratitude. In return, they receive blessings and gifts.

Inspiration: Host a tea ceremony during your reception to honour your parents and grandparents, blending this beautiful tradition with your own cultural elements.

Greece: The Crowning Ceremony

In Greek Orthodox weddings, the bride and groom wear crowns (stefana) connected by a ribbon, symbolising their unity and the presence of God in their marriage.

Inspiration: Create custom crowns for a symbolic moment during your ceremony or reception, highlighting your unity and commitment.

Mexico: The Lasso Ceremony

Mexican weddings often feature a lasso ceremony where a floral or rosary lasso is placed around the couple’s shoulders in a figure-eight shape, symbolizing their everlasting union.

Inspiration: Use a decorative lasso during your vows or ring exchange to incorporate this meaningful tradition.

Scotland: The Quaich

In Scotland, the quaich, or “loving cup,” is filled with whiskey and shared by the bride and groom as a symbol of their shared life and future together.

Inspiration: Incorporate a quaich into your toast, using your favorite beverage to share a special moment with your partner.

Japan: The San-San-Kudo

Japanese Shinto weddings include the San-San-Kudo ritual, where the bride and groom take three sips from three different sake cups, symbolising the union of two families.

Inspiration: Integrate a sake sharing ritual into your ceremony or reception, celebrating unity and tradition.

Morocco: The Hammam Ceremony

Before Moroccan weddings, the bride enjoys a luxurious hammam (bath) ceremony with female friends and relatives to purify and relax before the big day.

Inspiration: Treat yourself and your bridal party to a spa day or a special pre-wedding relaxation ritual.

Norway: Kransekake

In Norway, couples celebrate with a towering almond cake called kransekake. The cake is decorated with small flags and often has a bottle of wine or champagne in the center.

Inspiration: Serve a kransekake at your reception for a delicious and visually stunning centerpiece.

South Africa: The Fire Ritual

South African weddings sometimes feature a fire ritual where families of the bride and groom bring fire from their respective homes to light a new fire together, symbolising the merging of families.

Inspiration: Include a unity candle or fire dancer to symbolise the joining of your families. (Be sure to check with your venue first for obvious safety reasons)

Italy: La Tarantella Dance

Italian weddings often end with the lively tarantella dance, where guests hold hands and dance in a circle to upbeat music.

Inspiration: Get all your guests on their feet and in a circle for a dance, creating an unforgettable and energetic reception.

Sri Lanka: The Traditional Wedding Dance

In Sri Lankan weddings, the traditional Kandyan dance is performed to celebrate the union of the couple. This vibrant and rhythmic dance, performed by skilled dancers in elaborate costumes, adds a festive and cultural touch to the ceremony.

Inspiration: Incorporate a traditional dance performance into your wedding to celebrate and honor Sri Lankan culture. This can be a beautiful and engaging way to entertain your guests and add a unique cultural element to your big day.

Greece: Plate Smashing

In Greek weddings, plate smashing is a traditional practice that symbolises good luck and the warding off of evil spirits. This lively and noisy custom adds a festive atmosphere to the celebration.

Inspiration: Incorporate a safe and modern version of plate smashing at your reception. You can use specially designed breakable plates or even sugar plates to bring this exciting tradition to life.

Celtic: Handfasting Ceremony

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition where the couple’s hands are bound together with a ribbon or cord during the wedding ceremony to symbolise their union.

Inspiration: Incorporate a handfasting ceremony in your wedding to add a deeply symbolic and visual element. You can choose ribbons or cords that reflect your wedding colours or have them custom-made with meaningful symbols or charms.

Embrace the World in Your Wedding

Incorporating wedding traditions from around the world can add a rich, cultural dimension to your celebration. Whether you’re honouring your heritage or simply looking for unique ideas, these traditions offer a beautiful way to celebrate love and unity. Explore these customs, find what resonates with you, and make your wedding day truly unique.