Top 10 Bizarre Wedding Traditions

Every society has one thing in common and that is marriage. However, it is the wedding traditions in those wedding that vary from culture to culture and state to state. All over the world some of strange traditions are practiced which is actually quite hard to explain and believe. You will know what I mean as you read this article word by word. So, here’s a closer look at the 10 strangest wedding traditions around the globe:

10. Russian Weddings

Grooms in Russia must pay up if they want to see their bride, a tradition that is referred to as the Ransom of the Bride. The bride’s family members block the pathway to her house, while they challenge the groom to a series of riddles, questions or ridiculous feats. If he answers or performs everything to the family’s satisfaction, he’s allowed to move one step closer to marriage. Sometimes, the family members will bring out another woman, or even a man wearing a wedding veil in good humor for the groom. While the tradition began as a full-fledged performance of folk theater and remains all in fun for many, in some regions it has evolved into a way to bully the groom out pf marriage.

9. Borneo Weddings

Can your bladder really explode? Couple who follow a marriage tradition in Northern Borneo do not go to the washroom for 3 days. Newlyweds in the Tidong tribe must stay in their home for three days — without one bathroom break. That means no No. 1, no No. 2, and probably not much loving during this three-day period. The background of this tradition is not too clear … as is the feeling people probably get after not relieving themselves for half a week.

8. Peruvian Weddings

In Peru, single female guests do not line up to catch the bouquet. Charms attached to ribbons are tucked between the layers of the wedding cake. Before the cake is cut, each woman grabs a ribbon and gets the chance to pull. At the end of one of the ribbons is a fake wedding ring. The guest who picks that ribbon will be the next in line to get married.

7. Taiwanese Weddings

In Taiwan the groom to be gives his bride 12 presents. These presents can range from shoes to jewelry to candies that come in the shape of pagoda. What follows is loud reading of the groom’s letter of betrothal. Then it is the bride’s turn to give 12 presents to her groom to be. She sends objects like goldfish and chopsticks. What is very interesting is the criteria used to choose these objects. Words used for objects sent sound quite similar to Chinese words for “plenty” and “fast boy”. It is believed that they symbolize wish for prosperous future and wish for the baby boy to be born.

6. Japanese Weddings

“San-san-kudo no Sakazuki” or just “sakazuki-goto” is the name of the ceremony held at Japanese wedding. In Japanese San-san-kudo means “three, three, nine times”. The bride and groom take three sips of sake from each of three cups. The cup used in the ceremony is called “sakazuki”. Three cups used differ in size. First three sips are from the smallest one. Number three was chosen on purpose. It is an indivisible numer and Buddhist believe that it is sacred. For them nine means triple happiness. The interesting part about this is that the Sake is not always delicious.

5. Korean weddings

Koreans believe that if the groom smiles too much at his wedding, then his first child is going to be a daughter. After the wedding, the groom’s parents throw nuts and plums at the bride. If the bride catches the nuts she’ll get many sons.  Korean culture is very, very patriarchal. Korean men are the undisputed kings of the family, and masters of the household. They are the breadwinners, and make most – if not all – of the important decisions. s. And they often expect to be cooked and cleaned for without giving anything back to their wives in return.

You should also remember that if you attend a Korean wedding, money gifts to the happy couple in Korea should be given in odd numbers. Koreans believe that they are associated with the positive “yang” energy.

4. Scottish Weddings

The practice of covering brides and grooms in treacle, soot and flour used to be carried out to ward off evil spirits in Scotland. It still is practiced in many parts of Scotland, including on the islands, Aberdeenshire, Angus and Fife. The bride and the groom are taken by surprise or may be by shock and covered with foul and disgusting substances before their wedding date. The friends cover them with any gross they can think of, including curdled milk, rotten eggs, spoiled curry, smelly fish sauces etc. Embarrassing?

3. Romanian Weddings

A common wedding ritual in Romania is Bride Kidnapping. This is where a man abducts the woman he desires to marry. Also known as marriage by arrest or by seizure, bride kidnapping also include elopements, where couples run away to get married without seeking the consent of their parents first. In some parts of the world, the ritual is considered a criminal act. In some cultures like the Romani or Gypsies it is still practiced.  It is believed that if you manage to convincingly or forcefully kidnap a girl and remain her by your side for at least 2-3 days, she will officially become your wife.

2. Irish Weddings

In Ireland when the bride and groom take their first dance, the bride’s feet must stay on the floor at all times. The Irish are superstitious in that if they don’t, evil fairies will come and sweep the bride away. The logic? Evil fairies like beautiful things. The bride is beautiful. The fairies can only get to her if she does not have her feet on the ground.

1. Swedish Weddings

In Sweden, whenever the bride or the groom leaves the table to use the potty the other half gets kissed….multiple time. If the groom has to go then every male in the reception will get a chance to kiss the bride and vice versa. Another thing you should know is that it is common for the couple 5o walks down the aisle together. It’s quite rare that the father of the bride gives his daughter away, after all, that would be a very patriarchal gesture for this rather egalitarian society.