10 Hard To Believe Wedding Traditions

Weddings may be a celebration of love and happiness between two people, but for certain cultures it can be quite a crazy adventure. In some instances it can be hilarious, but on the other hand it can get quite gross. Just imagining having to firstly marry a tree. Exactly. Read on...

Have a smashing time...

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In Germany, the newly wedded couple will smash plates to ward off any evil spirits. The glass is then cleaned up by the bride and groom, as a sign of things to get used to!

Blackening the Bride

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As far as traditions go, this one can get a bit messy. Scottish brides-to-be are covered with the likes of curdled milk, dead fish, spoiled food, tar, sauces, mud and flour. This is to prove that if she can handle this experience, then she is ready for anything that marriage throws her way.

Fat Farms?

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In Mauritania, girls are sent to "Fat Farms" before their wedding to pile on the pounds. Once the bride has gained a lot of weight, it's supposed to signal that her husband is wealthy enough to keep her satisfied.

Crying for the Groom

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Brides of the Tujia people in China are required to cry for an hour a day, each day for a month before their wedding. 10 days into this ritual, her mother will then join her, then her grandmother etc. This is thought to be an expression of joy as the women cry in different tones.

Do You Take This....Tree?

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In specific parts of India, women are apparently "cursed" and therefore think they're likely to give their husbands an early death. So, to break the curse, they must first marry a tree, and then chop it down to break the curse.

Lets drink from a toilet...

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Newlyweds in France were forced to drink the leftovers from their wedding out of a toilet. But the modern day alternative is filled with chocolate and champagne as a substitute. More bearable, but still slightly off-putting.

Keep your feet on the ground...

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In Ireland, the bride's feet must stay on the floor at all times when she and the groom are dancing. This is due to the belief that if they don't, evil fairies will come and sweep her away.

Feet Beating

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Before a South Korean groom can look forward to his wedding night, he must receive a beating on his feet from the groomsmen. This involves beating his bare feet with a cane or fish and is said to be a test of both strength and character

You may kiss the groom

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In Denmark, if the bride is to leave the table, then every female member of the bridal party will go over, and kiss him. The bride isn't left out either, the male member of the party kiss the bride when the groom leaves her side.

Hand-me-down handkerchief

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Every family in Belgium has a handkerchief that is handed down and embroidered by brides from generation to generation.

Post created by The Pavilion UK