14 Weirdest Wedding Traditions And Rituals In The World

Weddings are an exciting and joyous occasion that celebrates the union of two people in love. However, what might be considered normal in one culture can be bizarre and downright weird in another. From the ritualistic to the quirky, here are the 14 weirdest wedding traditions and rituals from around the world.

Blackening the Bride and Groom (Scotland)

In Scotland, it is customary for friends and family of the bride and groom to throw all sorts of nasty things, such as curdled milk, dead fish, and tar, at the couple before their wedding day. This is done to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

Bride Kidnapping (Kyrgyzstan)

In Kyrgyzstan, it is not uncommon for the groom to kidnap his bride-to-be with the help of his friends. The bride is then taken to the groom's family home, where she is expected to stay until the wedding day.

Crying Ritual (China)

In some parts of China, the bride is required to cry for an hour a day in the month leading up to her wedding day. The mother of the bride will join her in the crying ritual ten days before the wedding, and then the grandmother will join in ten days later.

Feet Washing (South Korea)

In South Korea, the groom's family washes the bride's feet with water and dried red dates to signify the bride's acceptance into the groom's family.

La Soupe (France)

In France, the leftovers from the wedding feast are collected and placed in a toilet-like bowl. The newlyweds are then forced to eat from the bowl, which is supposed to give them strength and fertility.

Money Dance (Poland)

In Poland, the bride and groom dance with their guests, who pin money to the couple's clothing. This is done to help the newlyweds start their new life together.

Polterabend (Germany)

In Germany, the night before the wedding, friends and family of the bride and groom gather to break dishes and porcelain. The couple then has to clean up the mess together, symbolizing their ability to work together in marriage.

Tidong Bathing Ritual (Indonesia)

In Indonesia, the Tidong people have a unique pre-wedding ritual where the bride and groom are bathed in water and held captive in their homes for three days. During this time, the couple is not allowed to use the bathroom or leave the house.

The Blackening of the Bride (Ireland)

In Ireland, the bride is covered in various substances, including eggs, flour, and feathers, and paraded around town in a wheelbarrow or on a donkey. This is done to ward off evil spirits and ensure a happy marriage.

Tomatosphere (Spain)

In Spain, the groomsmen will place a tomato in the groom's shoe and leave it there all day. The groom is then expected to dance with the tomato in his shoe during the wedding reception.

Tree Planting (Mexico)

In Mexico, the bride and groom plant a tree together as a symbol of their new life together.

Unity Bowl (Hawaii)

In Hawaii, the bride and groom pour sand into a unity bowl during the wedding ceremony to symbolize the joining of their two families.

Wedding Ducks (Korea)

In Korea, the bride and groom are given a pair of wooden ducks to symbolize their relationship. The ducks are usually displayed in the couple's home after the wedding.

Wedding Night Toilet Tradition (France)

In France, it is customary for the groom to take the bride to the restroom before they retire to their wedding bed. This tradition is supposed to bring good luck and fertility.

Weddings should be celebrated before and after. which of these strange wedding rituals and traditions did you find the most shocking and or confusing?