Weddings are joyous occasions as a bride and groom are united in holy matrimony. It brings together family and friends to celebrate a new beginning and hopes for the future. Throughout the years, many cultures have adopted wedding traditions. Some of these are done pre-wedding, while others are performed at the ceremony itself. These wedding traditions are often done in hopes of bringing good luck to the happy couple.
There are some wedding traditions and superstitions we grew up hearing, like having something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue as part of the bridal attire. There’s also the idea that it’s bad luck for the couple to see each other prior to the ceremony. And while there are sure to be many more right here in our own country, it was an interesting wedding tradition across the pond that had us scratching our heads.
Wedding Tradition In The U.K.
According to the NY Post, brides in the United Kingdom are apparently burying raw sausage the night before their wedding. The superstition behind this act is to produce the perfect atmosphere for their wedding day. According to one TikTok creator, burying sausage is “supposed to keep the rain away on your wedding day.” As for the type of sausage, it doesn’t seem to matter what type you use. And from social media, it seems this unusual wedding tradition has worked well for many brides.
In Ireland, they also bury something ahead of their wedding. According to an Instagram post, it’s a “Child of Prague” statuette. The woman says he needs to be buried up to his neck.
These are a few interesting and unusual wedding traditions. But it did have us wondering what other traditions and superstitions were out there. We quickly learned there’s no shortage of beliefs and rituals in other cultures and countries. Let’s take a look.
More Unusual Wedding Traditions From Around The World:
Blackening In Scotland
According to Mirage News, in Scotland, the pre-wedding custom is called “blackening.” This is an act where friends and family of the couple throw various substances, which can include mud, rotten food, and feathers, onto the couple. This custom is believed to prepare the couple for any challenges they may face.
Team Work In Germany
Another tradition to test a couple’s ability to deal with challenges happens in Germany. The couple has to work together to saw through a log in front of the wedding guests. It also is a reminder for the two to work together as a team.
Enhance Fertility in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, before the couple marries, an infant is placed on their bed to bless and enhance fertility. After the ceremony, wedding guests shower the couple with rice, peas, or lentils to futher promote fertility (Brides.com).
Falaka Ceremony in South Korea
In South Korea, the groom is part of a “Falaka” ceremony. Friends and family hold the groom down and beat the bottoms of his feet with a stick or dried fish. Between beatings, the groom is asked trivia questions. This tradition is believe to help strengthen the groom’s memory and his feet. (Brides.com)
Groom Must Prove Himself In Russia
When it comes to wedding traditions in Russia, a groom must prove his worth. This is done by the groom going to the bride’s parents’ home and either paying a ransom, showering the family with gifts, or humiliating himself by dancing and singing until the family has had enough. (Brides.com)
Pin The Money In Cuba
Pin some money on the bride! In Cuba, any man who dances with the bride has to pin money to her dress. The money helps the couple pay for the wedding and honeymoon. (Vogue.com)
Bride Abduction In Romania
In Romania, the bride is playfully “abducted.” Wedding guests take her to an undisclosed location and demand “ransom” for her. Some times they simply request bottles of alcohol, but if they really want to humiliate the groom, he’s asked to sing a love song for the entire party. (Mirage News.com)
