Wedding Traditions

A wedding is a special celebration when two people get married. Weddings happen in every culture, but they can look very different. Some weddings last just a few hours. Others can go on for several days! Each culture has its own beautiful wedding traditions.

Wedding Customs Around the World

In India, brides often wear red and decorate their hands with beautiful henna designs. In Japan, couples may wear traditional kimonos during a Shinto ceremony. In Mexico, weddings often include breaking a pinata and dancing. In Nigeria, some weddings involve colorful traditional clothing called aso oke.

Wedding Symbols

Many wedding traditions have special meanings. In many Western countries, brides wear white to symbolize new beginnings. In China, the color red is used at weddings because it represents good luck. In some African traditions, couples jump over a broom to start their new life together. Wedding rings are worn in many cultures as a symbol of love.

Fun Facts

• In Sweden, brides sometimes carry coins in their shoes for good luck.
• Indian weddings can last up to five days with many ceremonies and feasts.
• In South Korea, the groom sometimes carries the bride's mother on his back at the wedding.

Did You Know?

The tradition of a wedding cake goes back to ancient Rome. Romans would break a wheat cake over the bride's head for good luck!