Wedding Traditions

The Loveliest Wedding Traditions from Around the World

editor@purewow.com (PureWow)

1/17/2017:sheep:









Slide 1 of 3: <p><strong>India: Henna<br></strong>The night before the wedding, the bride’s side of the family gathers for a Mehndi event where an artist draws intricate henna on her hands and feet. The gorgeous designs symbolize joy, beauty and spiritual awakening. </p><p><strong>Australia: Unity Bowl<br></strong>Merging families can be a whacky ordeal, but this tradition highlights the positives of bringing squads together. Plus, it’s super low-maintenance: Each family member drops a stone into a bowl, representing the big, beautiful mixing of families.</p><p><strong>Germany: Log Cutting<br></strong>Leave it to the Germans to be industrious on their wedding day. The tradition of a couple sawing a log together right after the ceremony actually signifies the first “obstacle” they have to overcome together. So it’s sweet and you get logs for the fire.</p>


Slide 2 of 3: <p><strong>China: Tea Ceremony<br></strong>Following the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom host a tea service as a formal introduction to their new families. The order of things is key: Tea is offered, sipped and then the couple receives a gift (aka the most important part).</p><p><strong>Guatemala: Dance Down the Aisle<br></strong>Why walk down the aisle when you can dance? In Guatemala, many brides actually waltz or dance with their fathers down the aisle. Not a bad way to kick off a party. </p><p><strong>South Africa: Fire<br></strong>This custom will make you (literally) feel warm and toasty. In South Africa, celebrations are kicked off when the couples’ parents bring fire from their own homes to help light a fire in the newlyweds’ new home.<br></p><p><strong>Philippines: Releasing Doves<br></strong>In this tradition, the couple sends off a pair of white doves to signify a peaceful and harmonious relationship. (We’d hate to be the best man who misplaces the rings and the doves.)</p>


Slide 3 of 3: <p><strong>Japan: Sake Tasting<br></strong>In the San San Kudo (three, three, nine times) ritual, the bride and the groom sip three times from three cups stacked on top of one another. Three is not only a lucky number in Japan but also represents love, wisdom and happiness.</p><p><strong>Italy: Confetti<br></strong>No, not just little paper dots. The Italians toss up colored sugar-coated almonds representing health, fertility, happiness and prosperity. The couple also might add some coins and rice in there—then keep a teensy bit for themselves as a keepsake. </p><p><strong>Pakistan: Flower Garland<br></strong>In Pakistan, the bride’s family will often welcome the groom with a gorgeous flower garland. It’s not always just about the bride, people.</p><p><a href="http://www.purewow.com/entertainment/wedding-trends-2017"><strong>RELATED:</strong> 7 Weddings Rends for 2017 That We’ll Gladly Get Behind</a></p>


Slide 1 of 3: <p><strong>India: Henna<br></strong>The night before the wedding, the bride’s side of the family gathers for a Mehndi event where an artist draws intricate henna on her hands and feet. The gorgeous designs symbolize joy, beauty and spiritual awakening. </p><p><strong>Australia: Unity Bowl<br></strong>Merging families can be a whacky ordeal, but this tradition highlights the positives of bringing squads together. Plus, it’s super low-maintenance: Each family member drops a stone into a bowl, representing the big, beautiful mixing of families.</p><p><strong>Germany: Log Cutting<br></strong>Leave it to the Germans to be industrious on their wedding day. The tradition of a couple sawing a log together right after the ceremony actually signifies the first “obstacle” they have to overcome together. So it’s sweet and you get logs for the fire.</p>
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India: Henna
The night before the wedding, the bride’s side of the family gathers for a Mehndi event where an artist draws intricate henna on her hands and feet. The gorgeous designs symbolize joy, beauty and spiritual awakening.

Australia: Unity Bowl
Merging families can be a whacky ordeal, but this tradition highlights the positives of bringing squads together. Plus, it’s super low-maintenance: Each family member drops a stone into a bowl, representing the big, beautiful mixing of families.

Germany: Log Cutting
Leave it to the Germans to be industrious on their wedding day. The tradition of a couple sawing a log together right after the ceremony actually signifies the first “obstacle” they have to overcome together. So it’s sweet and you get logs for the fire.
 
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