From tree marriages in India to tooth-filing ceremonies in Bali, explore some of the most fascinating wedding customs practised around the world.
Weddings are a universal celebration, but the way they are conducted varies significantly across cultures. While some traditions focus on love and unity, others involve elaborate rituals that may seem unusual to outsiders. From force-feeding brides to ensure they gain weight to couples walking on a human rug, these customs showcase the rich and diverse ways different cultures celebrate marriage.
Let’s take a look at some of the most fascinating and unusual wedding traditions from around the world.
Fattening Up the Bride – Mauritania
While most brides aim to look slim for their wedding day, in Mauritania, the opposite is true. In a practice known as Ludlow, young girls are force-fed a high-calorie diet, sometimes reaching 16,000 calories a day—equivalent to what four male bodybuilders consume! This tradition stems from the belief that a fuller figure represents beauty and wealth, showing that the groom is capable of providing for his wife.
Tooth-Filing Ceremony – Bali
In Bali, Indonesia, marriage isn’t just about love—it’s about purifying the soul. Before tying the knot, brides and grooms undergo a tooth-filing ceremony where their pointed teeth are filed down. This ritual is believed to rid them of six negative traits: lust, greed, wrath, pride, jealousy, and intoxication. The smoother teeth symbolise a balance between good and evil, ensuring harmony in marriage.
Wedding Date Predictions with Chicken Liver – Inner Mongolia
In China’s Inner Mongolia, picking a wedding date isn’t as simple as choosing a convenient time. Instead, couples rely on a chicken liver! They cut open a baby chicken and examine its liver—if it appears healthy, they proceed with setting the date. If not, they repeat the process until they find a “lucky” liver.
Whale Tooth Proposal – Fiji
Proposing in Fiji isn’t just about getting down on one knee. A groom must first win over his future in-laws by presenting them with a whale tooth, a symbol of wealth, status, and good fortune. With anti-whaling laws now in place, whale teeth are increasingly rare, making this tradition even more challenging and expensive.
A Month of Crying – China
In Southwest China, the Tujia people believe that tears bring joy. A bride starts crying one month before her wedding, and as the days pass, her mother, grandmother, and female relatives join in. This tradition, dating back centuries, is a way to express deep emotions and celebrate the union with heartfelt tears.
Marrying a Tree – India
In India, some women are required to marry a tree before they can marry a human. Women born under a specific astrological alignment, called Manglik, are believed to bring bad luck to their husbands. To “break the curse,” they first wed a tree, which is later cut down—symbolically transferring the curse away from their future husband.
The Bride’s Blackening – Scotland
Scottish brides are in for a messy pre-wedding experience. Friends and family throw molasses, feathers, ash, and flour all over the bride in a tradition called “blackening.” Originally meant to ward off evil spirits, it has now evolved into a fun, rowdy celebration.
Breaking Dishes for Good Luck – Germany
In Germany, smashing plates isn’t a sign of bad luck—it’s actually a wedding tradition! Before the big day, guests break porcelain and ceramic dishes, and the newlyweds must clean up the mess together. This symbolic first task as a married couple is believed to prepare them for handling future challenges as a team.
Stealing the Groom’s Shoes – India
Indian weddings are known for their grandeur, but they also come with playful traditions. Before walking to the altar, the groom must remove his shoes, and that’s when the real fun begins! The bride’s family tries to steal them, while the groom’s family works hard to protect them. This results in a lively and chaotic battle among hundreds of guests.
A Serious Wedding – Congo
In the Congo, weddings are a serious affair—literally. The bride and groom are forbidden to smile throughout the entire ceremony. Keeping a straight face is meant to reflect their deep commitment to the marriage and show that they take their vows seriously.
Walking on Family Members – French Polynesia
In French Polynesia’s Marquesas Islands, family members lie face down on the ground after the wedding ceremony, forming a “human rug.” The newlyweds then walk over them, symbolising their acceptance into the family and their journey into married life.
Spitting for Good Luck – Kenya
In Kenya, the Maasai people have a unique way of blessing a bride—her father spits on her head and breasts before she leaves for her husband’s home. While this may seem disrespectful to outsiders, in Maasai culture, spitting is a gesture of good luck and protection.
