We wanted to know what wedding customs and traditions are like around the world.
So we searched from Brazil to Tunisia, Korea to Greece, and of course Nigeria, here are some of the traditional ways of celebrating weddings around the world.
Brazil
Of course, the Brazilians are known for being fun-loving and full of energy, so this flows into their wedding traditions, too.
Guests are always treated to games and in one of them, the best man cuts the groom’s tie into several pieces and sells them to the wedding guests at whatever price they pay for it.
The money that’s collected often adds to the couple’s honeymoon.
Brazilian weddings wouldn’t be complete without pastries called bem-casados - Tiny sweet vanilla cakes with a condensed milk filling that are meant to bring good luck to the newlyweds.
Korea
The stand-out Korean wedding tradition is known as Pyebaek.
The Pyebaek is held after the official ceremony, and this is when the bride pays respects to her parents-in-law for the first time.
Both the bride and her groom bow really low before the parents, and later exchange jujube and chestnuts which symbolise children and good luck.
Greece
Before the beginning of a Greek wedding, the koumbaros, or best man, gives the groom a shave. The bride writes the names of her single friends on the soles of her shoes ― and it is believed that the names that rub off are the names of those that will be marrying pretty soon!
Mexico
Mexican wedding ceremonies are similar to Spanish ones, but the parties tend to be more elaborate affairs.
Mexicans often go for a fiesta in large venues that can contain lots of guests often in hundreds.
There’s usually a sprawling desert table upon which you will find several snacks and traditional Mexican candies.
These affairs often take a whole night. There’s even a second meal served just before dawn!
Tunisia
Although modern couples are starting to opt for simple wedding parties, there is a traditional seven-day celebration which many couples observes.
After the first six days and the activities, the 7th day marks the day the groom meets the bride at her parents’ home, and just before they go out to the venue of the wedding, they share a cup of milk which symbolizes purity and a happy life.
Japan
Japanese literally have one of the richest wedding traditions you can find anywhere.
Guests at Japanese weddings are expected to come with cash gifts for the newlyweds.
The given amount depends on the guest’s relationship to the couple.
Generally friends and close associates often give $300, and family members may give up to $1000.
The notes are meant to be neat and without creases and after the guests drop the envelopes, they get wedding gifts in return from the couple.
Italy
Italians believe that a marriage ceremony should not hold on a Tuesday or on a Friday, for mystical reasons.
If you can choose a wedding date that does not break this rule, then, of course, festivities can begin.
One of the traditions in Italy includes the groom removing the bride’s garter from her leg and tossing it to a group of bachelors.
For wedding favours, guests are to always receive an odd number of sugared almonds.
The odd numbers are significant in that they are believed to be indivisible, as a marriage should be.
Nigeria
Of course, this article will be incomplete without reference to the abundant wedding cultures we have in our country.
The focus here will be on the Ibibio traditional wedding, which, frankly, is always a feast.
Custom dictates that all Ibibio traditional foods be prepared and presented on a large table where guests treat themselves to it as in a buffet.
There is bound to be abundant edika-Ikong, afang, ayan ekpang, atama soup, etc.
The groom is also made to go through series of physical exercises to determine if he is strong enough to ‘handle’ the bride! [Trust Ibibio people to watch out for the well-being of their daughter.]
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