INTERNATIONAL WEDDING TRADITIONS
The day and night before a traditional Hindu wedding, the women of the bride's family and in-laws gather to decorate her hands and feet with intricate designs using a henna mixture. They tease the bride about what married life has in store for her. In some traditions, the bride is not expected to do any housework until the henna stains have faded- a process that can take several weeks if applied properly. In Pakistan, the initials of the bride and groom are hidden in the mehndi on the bride's palms; it is said that if the groom cannot find the initials, the wife will rule the marriage.
Many of our own traditions come from or are inspired by other cultures. Some of these cultures are influencing ours to this day: A henna party is a fun way to spend an evening with "the girls" chatting and spoiling the bride- a great theme for a bridal shower!
Wedding traditions are so varied from culture to culture that it would be impossible to list them all here, so instead we gleaned some of the more interesting ones and compiled some great links to wedding traditions from around the world.
African Wedding Guide
africanwedding.com
Celtic Wedding Traditions
An Irish Wedding
Contemporary Asians Weddings: "Something New, Something Old, Something Red, and something GOLD!"
Filipino/Philippine
An Eastern European
Wedding: Balkan, Carpatho-Rusyn, Czech, Hungarian, Jewish, Lemko, Polish, Roma (Gypsy), Russian, Serbian, Slovak & Slovenian Wedding Traditions
EASTERN ONTARIO WEDDING TRADITIONS
Thus far we've collected two traditions, although I'm certain there are more unique to the area I've forgotten to include. I'd be thankful if someone could clue me in as to more customs.
THE MIDNIGHT BUFFET: We suspect that this is popular in rural communities where feeding and milking and other farming schedules are important to take into consideration. The wedding ceremony is held during the day or evening, then the reception starts around nine or ten in the evening. Dancing and drinking occurs, speeches are made, the bridal bouquet thrown and the bride's garter removed, then dinner is served at (or around) midnight.
WISHING WELL: Quite often this is a decorated mailbox, although actual replicas of wells or wedding coaches or bird cages are also used. This is where monetary donations for the couple is deposited.
RELIGIOUS WEDDING TRADITIONS
Handfasting: Pagan Weddings
Planning a Handfasting
Weddings of Ancient Israel
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