Love is universal, but every culture celebrates it in its own way. Around the world, weddings are full of unique traditions—some sweet, some surprising—that reflect history, family values, and community spirit. From meaningful rituals to fun customs, these traditions show that love has no boundaries.

1. Blackening the Bride – Scotland

Scotland has one of the messiest pre-wedding rituals: blackening the bride (and sometimes the groom). Friends and family ambush the couple and cover them in all kinds of unpleasant substances—flour, mud, rotten food, and even fish guts.

Why Does It Happen?

This chaotic tradition is believed to ward off evil spirits and prepare the couple for the challenges of marriage. Historically, it was a cleansing ritual meant to toughen them up for the hardships of life together.

Video: 10 Bizarre Marriage Rituals You Won’t Believe Actually Exist

Does It Still Happen?

Yes, but mostly in rural areas. It has evolved into more of a fun rite of passage rather than a superstition. Often, the blackened couple is paraded through town, making for an embarrassing but memorable experience.

2. The Bride’s Washing Ceremony – Morocco

In Moroccan culture, the bride undergoes a traditional cleansing ritual before her wedding day. This takes place in a hammam (public bathhouse), where female relatives and friends gather to prepare her for marriage.

What’s the Meaning Behind It?

The washing ceremony symbolizes purity and renewal. Olive oil, herbs, and warm water are used in the ritual to bless the bride and bring her good luck. It also marks her transition into married life.

Is It Still Practiced?

Yes! While some brides opt for a modern spa experience, many still follow the traditional hammam ritual, embracing its cultural significance.

3. Crying Ritual – China (Tujia People)

Among the Tujia people in China, weddings involve a unique and emotional custom—the bride must cry for a month before her wedding.

Why Do Brides Cry?

The tradition, called Zuo Tang (sitting in the hall), symbolizes both joy and sorrow. It is believed to express gratitude to the bride’s family and acknowledge the emotional weight of leaving home.

How Does It Work?

• The bride starts crying alone for about an hour each night.
• After ten days, her mother joins.
• Ten days later, her grandmother joins in.
• Eventually, female relatives and friends take part, turning the ritual into a shared experience.

It’s not just sad wailing—the women sometimes sing weeping songs that narrate the bride’s feelings.

4. Breaking Dishes – Germany

German weddings start with a loud and messy tradition called Polterabend, where guests smash porcelain plates, bowls, and even sinks.

What’s the Purpose?

Breaking dishes is believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck to the couple. The saying “Scherben bringen Glück” (shards bring luck) reflects this belief.

What Happens Next?

After the porcelain is smashed, the couple must clean it up together. This symbolizes teamwork—an essential quality for a successful marriage.

5. Bread and Salt Blessing – Eastern Europe

In Poland and other Eastern European countries, newlyweds are greeted with a traditional offering of bread and salt.

What Does It Symbolize?

• Bread represents abundance and a wish that the couple will never go hungry.
• Salt symbolizes life’s hardships and the need to endure them together.

How Is It Done?

The couple takes a bite of the bread and a pinch of salt, signifying their acceptance of both the joys and struggles of marriage.

6. Beating the Groom’s Feet – South Korea

Korean grooms don’t get off easy before their big day. In a tradition known as balenbai, the groom’s friends and family tie his feet together and gently beat the soles with a stick or even dried fish.

Why Is This Done?

It’s meant to test the groom’s strength and character. He must endure the playful beating while answering riddles or trivia questions.

Is It Serious?

Not at all! It’s a lighthearted tradition that adds humor and bonding to the pre-wedding celebrations.

7. Doll on the Head Table – Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rican weddings, a doll dressed like the bride is placed at the head table during the reception.

What’s the Purpose?

The doll symbolizes good luck and serves as a decorative centerpiece. It’s often adorned with charms or small trinkets, which are later distributed to guests as keepsakes.

Does This Tradition Still Exist?

Yes, though it has evolved over time. Some modern couples incorporate personalized figurines or alternative wedding favors.

8. Avoiding the Bathroom – Indonesia (Tidong Tribe)

In the Tidong community of Borneo, newlyweds are forbidden from using the bathroom for three days after their wedding.

Why Such a Strange Rule?

It’s believed that holding it in strengthens their bond and ensures a successful marriage. Breaking the rule is said to bring bad luck, including infidelity or divorce.

How Do They Manage?

Family members closely monitor the couple, providing only small amounts of food and water to minimize bathroom needs. While it may sound extreme, the couple sees it as an endurance test for their new life together.

9. Kidnapping the Bride – Romania

In Romania, it’s common for brides to be “kidnapped” during the wedding celebration.

How Does It Work?

At some point during the reception, friends or family members take the bride away while the groom is distracted. To get her back, the groom must negotiate a ransom—often drinks, a dance, or a romantic gesture.

Why Do They Do It?

It’s all in good fun! The tradition adds excitement to the wedding and symbolizes the groom’s dedication to “winning” his bride.

10. Jumping the Broom – African American & Celtic Tradition

Jumping the broom has roots in both African and Celtic traditions.

What’s the History?

• In Africa, brooms were used to sweep away evil spirits before a new beginning.
• Enslaved African Americans adopted the ritual in the 18th and 19th centuries when legal marriage wasn’t allowed.
• In Celtic culture, jumping the broom was part of handfasting ceremonies.

What Does It Represent?

Jumping over the broom signifies sweeping away the past and stepping into a new life together. Many African American couples still include this tradition as a way to honor their heritage.

Final Thoughts – Love Knows No Boundaries

No matter how different these wedding traditions may be, they all celebrate the same things—love, unity, and a lifelong journey together. Whether it’s jumping over a broom, breaking dishes, or playing wedding pranks, these customs remind us that love transcends cultures and traditions.

In the end, what truly matters is the joy of two people coming together in a way that is special to them.