There are plenty of wedding traditions in the UK we’re all
familiar with; the white dress, confetti, exchanging of rings and best man
speech to name just a few. But how do couples around the globe celebrate? There
are plenty of fascinating traditions from around the world, read on for a
handful of our favourites!
China
Bridesmaids in China form a physical barricade in front of
the bride which the groom has to fight through, followed by a series of amusing
challenges for him to complete. The idea is for the groom to prove the strength
of his love by struggling to reach his bride. Rather than white, the bride
traditionally wears red, the Chinese colour of good luck.
Fiji
Once he’s asked the father of the bride for her hand, men in
Fiji are traditionally expected to present their future father-in-law with a
whale’s tooth.
Russia
A traditional Russian wedding lasts for two days, with some
lasting up to a week. If you’re a guest then expect to pay to use a glass,
plate and cutlery to enjoy the feast on offer. The idea behind this is so the newlyweds will
have a cash boost to start their new life together.
UK
The tradition of wearing white is not as old as you might
think and red was actually the favoured colour for wedding gowns until the
Victorian era. Queen Victoria wore a white lace dress for her own wedding,
sparking a trend among the Victorian elite who wanted to emulate her style.
Japan
Traditional Shinto weddings in Japan require the bride to
wear all white during the ceremony, including kimono, makeup and hood. White is
to signify her maiden status and the hood is said to hide any ‘horns of
jealousy’ she may feel towards her mother-in-law!
India
Famed for their extravagance, Indian weddings also have some
more unusual, playful traditions. ‘Joota Chupai’ or ‘hiding the shoes’ involves
the groom taking off his shoes while walking to the altar. His side of the
family must protect the shoes while the bride’s family tries to steal them, a
practice that is said to encourage bonding between the two families.
USA
American weddings usually feature not just one, but two
cakes. Alongside the traditional wedding cake is a ‘groom’s cake’, given as a
gift from the bride to her husband. Groom’s cakes are made of the groom's
favourite flavours and designed to reflect his personality and interests.
Nigeria
‘Aso-Ebi’ translates to ‘family clothes’ in the language of
Yoruba and refers to the outfits worn by attending guests. The bride and groom
will select the colours and fabric they would guests to wear, with each family
traditionally making enormous effort with their outfits.
If you fancy starting a tradition of your own, or giving you
and your guests a day to remember, then why not book a Victorian Chimney Sweep
from Millborrow Chimney Sweeps for your wedding? Complete with authentic
costume and (real!) cat assistant, an appearance from a Millborrow Sweep will
ensure your special day is one of a kind. Visit our website to find out more
and
to view our practical chimney and fireplace services.
