Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
Weddings are one of the most universally celebrated events, yet each culture has its own unique way of honoring love and commitment.
From symbolic rituals to lavish feasts, wedding traditions around the world are rich in meaning and history.
Whether you're planning a multicultural wedding or simply fascinated by global customs, this guide explores some of the most fascinating wedding traditions from different countries.
In Chinese weddings, the tea ceremony is a significant tradition symbolizing respect and gratitude towards parents and elders.
The bride and groom serve tea to their families in an intimate gathering before or after the wedding ceremony.
The elders, in return, offer blessings and sometimes gifts in red envelopes, known as "hongbao," which often contain money as a token of prosperity.
Indian weddings are vibrant and deeply spiritual. A key ritual in Hindu weddings is the "Saptapadi," where the couple takes seven steps around a sacred fire, each step representing vows for their life together.
This custom symbolizes mutual commitment, love, and understanding, and is considered legally binding once completed.
In Japan, traditional Shinto weddings involve a purification ritual and the exchange of "san-san-kudo," where the couple takes three sips from three different sake cups.
This sacred act symbolizes their union and the joining of their families. Brides often wear a white kimono called "shiro-muku" to represent purity.
Italian weddings are filled with romance and superstition.
One common tradition is the breaking of a glass by the groom, with the number of shards predicting how many years of happiness the couple will share.
This joyful custom is often followed by a lavish feast and plenty of dancing.
Originating from ancient Celtic traditions, handfasting is a ritual where the couple’s hands are tied together with a ribbon or cord to symbolize their unity.
This practice inspired the phrase “tying the knot” and is still performed in many modern Scottish weddings.
Greek Orthodox weddings feature a special "Stefana" ceremony, where the couple wears crowns (Stefana) made of flowers, gold, or silver.
These crowns are connected by a ribbon and symbolize the unity and blessing of the marriage.
The priest guides the couple around the altar three times, representing their first steps as a married couple.
In traditional Nigerian Yoruba weddings, guests “spray” money on the couple while they dance, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.
This custom turns the wedding into a lively celebration filled with music, dance, and joy.
In some South African cultures, couples perform a fire ceremony where they take embers from their respective family homes and bring them to their new home to light a fire together.
This act symbolizes the merging of their families and the creation of a new life together.
Mexican weddings often include a “lazo” (lasso) ceremony, where a large rosary or floral garland is placed around the couple’s shoulders in the shape of a figure-eight.
This represents their everlasting bond and is usually conducted by their godparents, who act as mentors in their marriage.
A well-known American tradition is for the bride to wear or carry “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” on her wedding day.
Each item represents good luck, continuity, happiness, and purity, ensuring a prosperous marriage.
In Peru, a fun wedding tradition involves placing ribbons with charms inside the wedding cake.
One ribbon has a ring attached to it, and the single woman who pulls it out is believed to be the next to get married—similar to the bouquet toss tradition in Western weddings.
Lebanese weddings are known for their grand entrances, often featuring a traditional Zaffe—a lively procession with drummers, dancers, and music.
The groom is paraded into the venue in a joyous celebration, setting the tone for an energetic and festive wedding reception.
In Persian weddings, the “Sofreh Aghd” is a beautifully arranged spread featuring symbolic items such as mirrors, candles, and honey to bless the couple with light, sweetness, and prosperity.
During the ceremony, the bride and groom dip their fingers in honey and feed it to each other as a sign of a sweet life ahead.
Many Australian couples choose to honor the land’s indigenous heritage by including an Acknowledgment of Country in their ceremony.
This is a way of showing respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their enduring connection to the land.
In Māori culture, some weddings feature a powerful haka—a traditional war dance—performed by the groom and his party to honor the bride and their families.
This deeply emotional display is a sign of strength, respect, and unity.
While wedding traditions vary across cultures, they all share a common theme—love, unity, and family.
Whether it’s through symbolic rituals, joyful dances, or meaningful gestures, these customs enrich the wedding experience and connect couples to their heritage.
If you’re planning a wedding, consider incorporating a tradition that reflects your cultural background or personal values.
After all, weddings are about more than just one day—they’re about creating memories and honoring the love story that brought you together.
