Weddings are rich in traditions and superstitions, each adding a layer of meaning and cultural significance to the celebration. Here are 50 wedding traditions and superstitions from around the world:
Traditions:
- Bridal Veil: Wearing a veil is thought to symbolize purity and ward off evil spirits.
- Something Old, New, Borrowed, Blue: A superstition from England, representing continuity, optimism, borrowed happiness, and fidelity.
- White Wedding Dress: Popularized by Queen Victoria, white symbolizes purity and innocence.
- Tossing the Bouquet: The one who catches the bouquet is believed to be the next to marry.
- Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold: Protects her from evil spirits lurking at the entrance.
- Unity Candle: Lighting a unity candle symbolizes the joining of two families.
- Exchanging Rings: A symbol of eternal love and commitment.
- Breaking Glass: In Jewish weddings, breaking a glass symbolizes the fragility of relationships.
- Circling the Fire: Hindu brides and grooms walk around the sacred fire to signify their union.
- Jumping the Broom: An African-American tradition symbolizing the start of a new life together.
- Father Giving Away the Bride: A symbol of the father’s blessing and approval.
- Carrying the Bride Across Water: In several cultures, crossing water signifies the couple’s new journey.
- Thirteen Coins: A Hispanic tradition representing the groom’s commitment to support his bride.
- Tying the Knot: Literally tying a knot during a ceremony symbolizes unity.
- Handfasting: Celtic tradition of tying the couple’s hands together with ribbons.
- Burying the Bourbon: A Southern superstition to ensure good weather on the wedding day.
- Rain on the Wedding Day: In some cultures, rain is considered good luck for a fruitful marriage.
Superstitions:
- Seeing the Bride Before the Wedding: It’s considered bad luck in many cultures.
- Carrying the Bride Over Pebbles: To ensure a smooth marriage journey.
- Horseshoe for Good Luck: Hanging a horseshoe over the doorway brings good fortune.
- Throwing Rice: Symbolizes fertility and prosperity.
- Carrying the Bride Over a Threshold: To avoid bringing evil spirits into the home.
- Sneezing: In some cultures, a sneeze during the wedding ceremony is considered lucky.
- Counting the Days: Some believe counting the days between the proposal and the wedding brings bad luck.
- Blackening the Bride: A Scottish tradition involving friends playing pranks on the bride.
- Looking at the Moon: Chinese tradition to ensure a lifetime of happiness.
- Seeing a Rainbow: A symbol of good luck and a happy marriage.
- Wearing Pearls: Considered bad luck because they represent tears.
- Emptying a Bag of Sugar: To ensure a sweet life together.
- Carrying the Bride Over a Bridge: Symbolizes the journey from single to married life.
- Spiders in the Wedding Dress: In English folklore, finding a spider in the wedding dress is considered good luck.
- Placing a Silver Sixpence in the Shoe: A British tradition for wealth and financial prosperity.
- Eating a Sugar Cube: In Greek weddings, it’s believed to sweeten the marriage.
- Breaking Plates: In some cultures, breaking plates is thought to ward off evil spirits.
- Carrying Salt: To ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
- Wearing Green: Some believe it’s unlucky because it symbolizes envy.
- Wearing Wedding Rings on the Third Finger: Thought to have a vein directly connected to the heart.
- Seeing a Rainbow: Symbolizes good luck and a happy marriage.
- Throwing Shoes: In some cultures, throwing shoes at the bride and groom brings good luck.
- Throwing Confetti: Symbolizes fertility and prosperity.
- Seeing a Chimney Sweep: Considered lucky in some European cultures.
- Swallow’s Nest: In Russia, it’s believed that finding a swallow’s nest in your home brings good luck.
- Burning the Groom’s Socks: A Swedish tradition for good luck in marriage.
- Carrying Salt and Bread: In Russian weddings, symbolizing prosperity and the bitterness of life.
- Breaking Plates: In some cultures, breaking plates is thought to ward off evil spirits.
- Coins in the Shoes: A Filipino tradition for prosperity.
- Seeing Cows on the Way to the Ceremony: In some cultures, it’s considered a sign of good luck.
- Rain on the Wedding Day: In some cultures, rain is considered good luck for a fruitful marriage.
- Fasting Before the Wedding: Some believe it brings good luck.
- Hiding the Broom: To avoid the bride using it to sweep away the groom’s family.