Multicultural Wedding Traditions From Around the World

Here in the United States, we're accustomed to a few wedding traditions such as white dresses, wedding cakes, and champagne toasts. But what are some of the traditions in other parts of the world? We've done some digging and found six surprising ways of celebrating a wedding all across the world.

Many Americans have seen the henna tattoos on an Indian bride, or are familiar with the idea that sometimes brides wear red. But another, less familiar example of a typical Indian wedding tradition is the Var Mala Ceremony. During the wedding, the bride and groom put flower garlands around each other's necks. This symbolizes that the bride has accepted the groom as her husband (phew).

In an Orthodox Jewish ceremony, the partners stand under a Chuppa, which is a canopy traditionally constructed by the groomsmen. The purpose of this structure? The Chuppa is meant to shroud the couple from evil spirits. Additionally, at the end of the ceremony, the groom stomps on glass to symbolize the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

 While we've been known to covet open bars and champagne toasts here in the US, in Japan, a marriage isn't official until the bride and groom drink sake together. That's our kind of wedding tradition! After their first sip, they're officially husband and wife. Cheers!

In this country just north of England, they have a thrilling pre-wedding tradition. Just before the wedding day, brides are often kidnapped (yes, you read that right) by members of their family. Fortunately, the groom and his family follow the arranged bride-napping, and whoever rescues the bride is thought to be next in line to get married.

The struggle of who wears the pants is apparently universal. But in Russia, they have two ways of making it clear who rules the roost. During the wedding ceremony, brides and groom race to the carpet on which they'll recite their vows. The first one there is thought to be the head of the household. Another way Russians test the waters is to have couples share a loaf of bread called Karavay, and whoever takes the biggest bite? You guessed it! They're thought to be the partner in charge.