Weddings are among the most beautiful events, and they have a huge significance in countries all over the world. Weddings are moments when the soon-to-be couples celebrate the fact they want to unite with their partner for the rest of their lives.
Other than this, weddings are also the best chance to honor the upbringing of individuals and learn more about traditions and rituals. Each country and religion on this planet pays important attention to their wedding rituals and traditions, and you will be amazed to discover some of them.
It is said that if the married couple follows wedding traditions, they can meet good fortune and eternal happiness. Now you can see why traditions are so important, as this is the ultimate goal of any couple. By taking a look at the wedding traditions and rituals, you can also discover more about different cultures around the world, which is fantastic. The majority of wedding rituals and traditions have a symbolic significance.
For example, in the Philippines, the couple releases a pair of doves so that they can have a harmonious life. In Guatemala, the mother of the groom breaks ceramic bells so that the newlyweds can benefit from prosperity.
Wedding traditions and rituals are amazing to discover. And who knows, in the end, you might also want to integrate some of them at your own wedding. So, keep reading to learn more.
Wedding traditions in the UK
Weddings in the UK are popular around the world, mainly because royal families influence them. However, the UK is also home to plenty of wedding traditions and rituals that have started to be considered by couples worldwide. This is why they are so common nowadays. One of them is wearing white for the bride’s dress.
In the past, girls couldn’t really buy a new dress for their weddings, so when they got married, they would wear the best dress they had. However, essential personalities from the UK changed some things forever and made wearing a white dress for a wedding the new norm.
When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, she did so in an ivory-white gown. Since then, it has become a tradition to wear white wedding dresses, which is the perfect choice as they symbolize purity and might also enhance the natural beauty of the bride.
The UK is also home to inaugurating the hen party, where girls have fun before getting married. The British press used this term for the first time in 1881 to describe a dinner event where Queen Victoria, her daughter, and other women of noble birth participated. Things have changed in the modern world, but the principles are quite the same: the bride-to-be gathers with her friends to have fun before getting married.
These parties can also be the perfect time for the bride to meet with her bridesmaid to plan the wedding in detail or look for bridesmaid dresses. Bridesmaids have important roles in a wedding, and they are the best support for the bride. This is why bridesmaids must wear stunning dresses that feature their natural traits and features.
Wedding traditions in Spain
Spanish is also a country filled with rich traditions that are amazing to discover. Spain focuses on the importance of families, so a wedding doesn’t only include the union of two individuals, but also the joining of their families. For example, it is very common for weddings in Spain to have family-centred head tables designed for the groom, the bride, and their families.
This shows the importance of family in Spanish culture, where parents need to look amazing while standing to their beloved children. The importance of having the right attire at a wedding has made designers create fantastic mother of the bride dresses so that moms will have a large variety from where to choose their outfits for their children’s weddings.
The exchange of 13 coins is also an essential ritual in weddings in Spain, which is also known under the Spanish version of arras. This is an enduring tradition that has been kept for numerous years, and it symbolizes the promise that the groom makes to provide for his family. Then, the bride accepts these coins and promises to use these resources wisely.
Wedding traditions in Vietnam
Vietnam also has interesting wedding ceremonies that their Buddhist and Confucian ideologies have influenced. Many representative traditions in Vietnam are respected at a wedding. Family is very important in Vietnamese traditions, and in the past, marriages were even arranged by parents. Luckily, that is not the case anymore, but parental consent is still important.
Before the wedding takes place, the soon-to-be-married couple needs to have an engagement ceremony, also named Le An Hoi. This is the time when the groom’s family comes to visit the bride while bringing gifts like fruits or money. These presents are covered in red cloth and later are given to the unmarried girls from the bride’s side.
The wedding, Le Cuoi, is the time when the groom’s family comes and takes the bride with them. During the wedding, the couple prays in front of the altar by asking their ancestors for a happy marriage.
Wedding traditions in Turkey
Turkish culture is abundant in many rituals and traditions that can also be seen in their weddings. If you ever have the honor of being a guest at a Turkish wedding, you will be part of a big party.
Additionally, three phases are present before a Turkish wedding. These three parts involve the permit visit, then comes the promise, followed by the engagement celebration. As weddings in Turkey must follow a long list of preparations, they usually start at least half a year before the wedding.
The Henna evening is a very interesting wedding tradition in Turkey, and in this event, the bride and her female relatives gather to dye their hands with henna. On the wedding day, the bride is taken to the wedding location, where a large number of guests will be present later, which can vary from 300 to 1000. Turkey weddings are a symbol of laughter, happiness, traditions, and delicious foods.
As you can see, the world is home to amazing wedding traditions that are fascinating to discover.