The world is full of fun and unique wedding traditions. Some of them are very well known within specific cultures or in certain regions of the world – yet those of us without a direct connection to these cultures or regions might never have heard of them. Exploring these traditions though can expand your idea of the different ways in which people celebrate marriage, and may even give you some fun ideas, or at least some vague inspiration, as you plan your own ceremony and reception. These five are particularly interesting and festive wedding rituals.
Sawing The Log (Germany)
Billed as demonstrating how cooperation is needed in marriage, “sawing the log” is one of a few unique German wedding traditions and a very fun one. It’s exactly what it sounds like: The bride and groom take either side of a two-person saw and simply have at a log that’s been set up for them, typically right after the wedding ceremony. As you might imagine it can be fun for the crowd and there are inevitably some amusing moments (say, when the saw gets stuck, someone’s grip slips, or one or both people start to get tired). All in all, it’s a nice, simple tradition and a good way to kick off the post-ceremony celebrations.
Breaking The Bell (Guatemala)
This tradition doesn’t quite involve everybody as nicely as the sawing of the log in German weddings, but it’s just the sort of quirky, surprising touch a lot of people would enjoy incorporating into a wedding. The idea, in Guatemala at least, is that the party heads back to the groom’s parents’ home after the wedding, and a ceramic bell filled with flour and rice is situated above the entrance. It is then the responsibility of the groom’s mother to smash the bell, which is supposed to symbolize good luck.
The Second Line Parade (New Orleans)
The festivities of New Orleans have become incredibly well known around the world. Mardi Gras celebrations are imitated in other U.S. cities at this point, and the city has been shown off in movies. The music and dance scene of New Orleans has even been made into a game called “The Big Easy,” which is part of an interest slot business that has been bumped up a level with immersive displays and fast-paced gameplay. No film or casino game can quite give you the feeling you actually get joining a parade in New Orleans though, and that’s just what this tradition does. It’s basically just the wedding party joining in with an established street parade in a city known for this exact kind of festivity.
Silly Sock Dance (Quebec)
The Silly Sock Dance in Canada is almost a twist on the traditional idea of the bride tossing a bouquet for it to be caught by the guest who is then tabbed as the next to get married. Except in this case the whole tradition revolves around bachelors. Basically, unmarried men at the wedding are supposed to dress in bright, silly socks, and then show those socks off during a dance at a given point during the reception. Various things can happen thereafter, but typically money is thrown at the feet of the bachelors, and then donated to the bride and groom. Though in some cases one of the bachelors is identified as a sort of “winner” and a “next up” as if he caught the bouquet.
Cut The Groom’s Tie (Spain)
Some people reading this may see the name of this tradition and think back to one of the sweeter moments on the American version of the comedy The Office, in which a groom cuts his own tie in half to match his bride’s torn veil. But this is an actual tradition in Spain, involving the friends of the groom cutting up his tie and selling pieces to guests to raise money for the newlyweds. It’s supposedly becoming less common in Spain these days, but it’s still a fun idea to keep in mind if you’re just looking for an odd or surprising wedding gimmick.
