20 Wedding Traditions From Around The Globe

Weddings are a special kind of wonderful. They are steeped in beautiful and meaningful traditions that have been around for centuries. Whether you choose to follow tradition or break it - your decision will have a meaning so make sure your choice reflects the love you and your partner share. You may be familiar with the popular wedding traditions within your own culture but what about traditions from all over the world? Each one is unique and beautiful. Scroll through and discover 20 Wedding Traditions From Around The Globe. PC: Jeremy Wong

20-wedding-traditions-from-around-the-globe

Armenian: Before the bride dons her veil she circles it above the heads of the single ladies in her dressing room to bring them luck in finding a husband. Then a happily married woman will place the veil on her head to bring the marriage luck. PC: Jose Villa Photography

Australian: Guests are given stones and asked to hold them during the ceremony. At the end, guests place the stones in the unity bowl that the couple will keep and display afterwards to remind them of the support and presence of their friends and family. PC: Free People

Chinese: During a traditional tea ceremony, the bride serves tea to her parents and her new in-laws as a symbol of respect. To update the tradition, the groom can serve tea with his new bride. PC: In Good Company

Czech: Traditionally the bridesmaids make a wreath of rosemary for the bride to wear, it symbolizes the wish for wisdom, love, and loyalty. Not only is this sweet, but super cute! PC: Stunning & Styled

Dutch: At the reception a tree branch of any type is placed near the sweetheart table, and guests are provided with paper leaves/tags attached to ribbons to write their special wish for the happy couple. The bride and groom can then read and hang them on the tree. PC: Patrick Moyer

Filipino: At traditional Filipino wedding receptions, the bride and groom release two gorgeous white doves to represent a long, peaceful, and harmonious life together. PC: Elise Nicole Photography

French: The widely known layered wedding cake originated in France, but less well known is the croquembouche, a pyramid of crème-filled pastry puffs covered in a caramel glaze. If the bride and groom can kiss over the pastry tower without knocking it over, then they would have a lifetime of prosperity. PC: Pan American Hotel Penthouse.

German: Before the wedding day the friends and family of the bride and groom create a wedding newspaper that is filled with pictures, articles, and stories of the engaged couple. The paper can be used in many sorts of ways from wedding programs to guestbooks, they can even be sold for honeymoon funds! PC: Unearthed Photography

Greek: The bride and groom are basically queen and king of their universe for the day. During the ceremony, they wear crowns made of either gold or orange blossoms that are connected with a ribbon to signify the union. Buy this crown here.

Indian: Indian weddings are traditionally multiple day affairs, and involve numerous intricate ceremonies. The painting of the hands and feet of the bride, called a mehndi, is one of our favorites. PC: Style Craze

Irish: The brides typically wore beautiful wildflower wreaths in their hair and maybe even in their bouquet, and they braided their hair to symbolize feminine power and luck. PC: D'Arcy Benincosa Photography

Italian: The groom's tie is cut off and then cut into pieces of different sizes. Afterwards the pieces are collected and the friends "sell off" the pieces as souvenirs. Any collected money is then handed over to the bride and groom, and traditionally is used to pay the band. PC: Mosaic

Japanese: The crane is a symbol of longevity and prosperity. 1,001 gold origami cranes are folded to bring luck, good fortune, longevity, fidelity, and peace to the marriage. PC: Destination I Do

Mexican: A lazo is a large rosary, a ribbon or a flower cord that is symbolically draped around the necks or shoulders of the bride and the groom. It symbolizes their union and their commitment to always be together side-by-side. PC: Jennifer Fujikawa Photography

Norwegian: Kransekake is a cake made of concentric rings stuck together with white icing. The bride and groom lift the top layer of the cake at their wedding. The number of cake rings that stick to the top one is said to be the number of children they will have. PC: Who Does The Dishes

Pakistani: After a Pakistani wedding, the couple returns home for the "showing of the face." The bride will remove her veil and, while the newlyweds are busy gazing at one another, the bride's female relatives make off with the groom's shoes and ransom them. PC: Lydia Maybee Photography

Peruvian: Charms attached to ribbons are tucked between layers of the wedding cake. Each woman grabs a ribbon and pulls. At the end of one ribbon is a fake wedding ring. Whomever receives the ring is said to be next in line for marriage. PC: Ambrosia Bakery | Ashleigh Jane Photography

Spanish: Orange blossoms are the flowers of choice for Spanish brides because they symbolize happiness and fulfillment. They can be seen in the bouquet, decorations, and even in the bride's hair. PC: Stephanie Cristalli | Finch & Thistle Event Design

Scottish: The Scottish like to tie the knot in a literal way. The couple participates in a hand-fasting ceremony where their wrists are bound together by a cloth or string. PC: Chris Isham

Swedish: A Swedish bride gets to wear three bands, one for her engagement, one for marriage, and one for motherhood. A tiara is also worn to symbolize her virgin status. In the past crowns made of myrtle leaves were worn instead. PC: Elstile.Ru

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