Wedding Traditions and Customs – The Ultimate Guide to Traditional & Non-traditional Marriages

While the average costs of weddings vary worldwide, country by country, there are certain simple traditional marriage practices that can cost very little money but still carry a significant amount of symbolic weight.

Incorporating traditional wedding customs into your ceremony can add a meaningful touch to your special day, regardless of your budget. From the exchanging of rings to the unity candle ceremony, these symbolic rituals can be adapted to suit your personal style and values. On the other hand, opting for a non-traditional wedding allows you the freedom to create a unique and personalized experience that reflects your relationship and individuality as a couple. It’s important to consider the pros and cons of both options to determine what best aligns with your vision for the perfect wedding.

Whether you keep with cultural marriage tradition or find your own way of expressing and celebrating your love, these deep cultural roots go way back in human history; to some, honoring them is an important part of the ceremony. But what are some wedding traditions and customs, and where do they come from? In this article, we will address this and more, including the pros and cons of a non-traditional wedding!

Where Wedding Traditions and Customs Come From

Surprising as it may seem, marriage has been around since about 2350 B.C. and was first recorded as the union of one man and one woman in the Far East (via Ince). It is suspected that, in part, this had to do with the development of gender roles, as men were considered the roamers and hunters and women the gatherers and nurturers. Through lifelong dedication, problem-solving and collaboration, they could ensure the survival of their children, their bloodline and the human race. 

Of course, the roots of what a traditional marriage entails rely largely on the culture and the religion of the geographical location of the newlyweds. Polygamy was a popular option among non-Christian faiths and kings who wished to take more than one wife. But by the 9^th Century, the Catholic Church decreed marriage ought to be monogamous. 

As humans continued to develop unique lifestyles, cultures and ways of existing, many forms of “traditional” marriage cropped up — from the polygamist Muslim marriage allowing up to four wives to the 2013 Same-Sex Marriage Act allowing people in the U.S. to marry regardless of gender or orientation.

One constant throughout time, however, has been the deeply metaphorically resonant exchange of rings — a cycle with no beginning and no end and a testament to the depth of their commitment to navigating life together in the best possible way.

Popular Wedding Traditions Across the World

There are an exceptionally large number of ways to celebrate love! One of the most beautiful things about marriages across the globe is the unique traditional expression played out by each culture, religion or country. Here are some examples of popular wedding traditions across the world, according to Insider:

• India: Decorative henna paint called mehndi is skillfully applied to the bride’s hands.
• Cuba: Those who wish to dance with the bride must pin money to her dress to help pay for the honeymoon!
• Germany: The newlyweds work together to saw a log in half, symbolizing their commitment to future collaborative efforts in life.
• Norway: Cake made of ever-decreasing almond-flavored rings covers a bottle of champagne — and the more rings that stick to the top layer when plucked by the bride and groom, the more children they are destined to have!
• Nigeria: Generally taking place on the dance floor, guests throw paper money at the newlyweds as a gesture of good fortune.
• China: Typically, tea ceremonies are performed to include family members on both sides, who all sip the tea and offer the couple gifts — usually right after the wedding.
• Romania: The bride is “taken hostage” by family members and the groom must win her back with displays of love, paying for drinks or other celebratory gestures.
• Philippines: Both newlyweds release a dove into the air to signify peace and smooth sailing for their marriage
• Italy: Wedding guests receive five candy-coated almonds to signify happiness, longevity, fertility, health and wealth!

Check out these other inspirational wedding traditions for your big day:

• Cuban Wedding Traditions
• Dominican Wedding Traditions
• Non-Traditional And Amazing Wedding Ceremony Ideas

1. What is the Money Dance Wedding Celebration?

As it turns out, Nigerians and Cubans aren’t the only ones dedicated to “making it rain” on the happy couple. In fact, many American weddings have adopted the tradition of throwing money at the dancing couple or pinning money to their clothes. Variations of this type of wedding celebration are recognized in places like Greece, Mexico, Portugal, Fiji, Poland, Samoa and others!

For some couples, it can be hard to include the money dance in their celebrations for fear of looking like they are pandering for money — but some family members don’t give them much choice in the matter! 

2. What’s the Deal with the Garter Toss?

While some may see garter removal as a “scandalous” event at a wedding, today it is often celebrated as a way for the groom to toss their bride’s garter into the crowd of groomsmen much as the bride would toss her bouquet at the end of the evening. Typically, this event requires music as the groom removes the bride’s garter and tosses it to their comrades.

3. Why Do We Throw Rice at Weddings?

The astonishing truth is that this tradition predates Christianity, harkening back to ancient Roman and Celtic times. During wedding ceremonies at this time, both cultures were successful at practicing agriculture and threw crops at the newlyweds to symbolize abundance, fertility and blessings. Originally, the Celts threw millet, grains and rice, while Romans preferred to throw wheat, a symbol of fertility.

Typically, the rice toss occurs as the couple leaves the venue — though it can also sometimes occur as the newly joined couple walks back down the aisle towards the exit. It should be noted that because some people fear that throwing rice can be not only messy, but harmful to local wildlife — particularly birds and pigeons — some couples ask guests to throw biodegradable confetti, bubbles, glitter or even dried flowers as they make their departure, while others ask their friends and family to make noise!

4. What Is Broom Jumping and What Does It Mean?

The origins of the broom-jumping ceremony or somewhat convoluted. Some say it reaches back to West Africa, some say it has pagan ties and others argue that it originated in Wales. While each of these cultures offers different ideologies behind the jumping of the broom, the general idea is that it brings faith, longevity and supportive family to the union. It should be noted that the broom jumping ceremony saw a great resurgence during the height of Black enslavement in the United States (via Celtic Jewelry).

5. What Are Common American Bridal Traditions?

Most of us are familiar with the seemingly mandatory white gown, wedding party, first dance and fancy wedding cake. Other significant aspects of American bridal traditions involve a father figure “giving them away” to their new partner, throwing rice or compostable confetti and bringing “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.” It is thought that the color blue signifies divinity and purity and may portend a happy future for the couple.

6. Is It Bad Luck to See the Bride Before the Wedding?

Back in a time when arranged marriages were much more popular, it was considered bad luck to see the bride before the wedding — a superstition that often still carries over today. Today, however, it is less about keeping the bride’s identity a total mystery and more about revealing how stunning they look walking down the aisle toward their loved one. Is it bad luck for the groom to check on the bride before the ceremony? Only you can decide!

7. Where Does the Bouquet Toss Come From?

According to folklore, this tradition originated in England decades ago, when jealous bridesmaids would attempt to rip off portions of the bride’s gown or veil to gather some of her luck at acquiring a husband. To solve this problem (and allow the bride time to bolt in the other direction), the bouquet toss was born — which today is often accompanied by a chosen song

Pagan Wedding Rituals Inspiring Modern Practices

While putting a precise date and birthplace on the origins of Paganism and associated practices can be convoluted and historically complex, aspects of this evolving (and increasingly popular belief system) have inspired modern wedding practices. Some of these include:

• Making loving vows: Two pagan lovers will make promises and pledges to each other — often, these are renewed annually.
• Exchanging rings: Like many other marriage traditions, Pagan weddings involve exchanging rings as symbols of eternal and steadfast love.
• White bridal gowns: Perhaps because of its ability to evoke a sweet simplicity and purity, many Pagans historically wed in white and continue that tradition to this day
• Celebratory toasts: Pagans were known to raise a glass to celebrate their “handfasting,” or their exchange of vows — whether that be mead, wine, champagne or something else entirely.

It should also be noted that some associated broom jumping with Pagan roots, though this tradition has clearly impacted wedding traditions across the globe as well. Paganism is one of the fastest growing religions in modern times — so even if you have not been to a Pagan wedding yet, chances are you might one day!

Pros and Cons of a Non-Traditional Marriage

How you celebrate your marriage is often a deeply personal decision that requires honest dialogue with your partner. It is not unusual to feel outside pressure, particularly for family members with devout religious or cultural followings, to bend to their wishes to pacify them. For other couples, a traditional marriage is the pinnacle of bringing their families together. So what are the benefits and drawbacks of each type of approach?

Benefits of a Non-Traditional Marriage

• Total freedom to plan your ideal event
• Opportunities to save money and budget more toward honeymoon celebrations
• May offer a more intimate setting and smaller guest lists (which is likely cheaper)
• Look for off-season deals, unorthodox and penny-pinching clothing and romantic (and cost-effective) venues like beaches, forests or rivers
• Do you even want a wedding cake? Do you need expensive catering? Is a potluck out of the question if your friends are excellent cooks?

Downsides to a Non-Traditional Marriage

• You may disappoint your more traditional family members and potentially experience judgment
• You may not think you need a wedding planner (and then really wish you had one!)
• Your ceremony may not be perceived as being as meaningful as a traditional wedding or even borderline selfish for catering to you and your hunny’s wishes
• It might offend those who don’t make the smaller guest list

Pros of Traditional Marriage Celebrations

• This satisfies the scrupulous family members who may view your union as religiously sanctified
• It’s an excuse to spend lavishly and dive into opulent celebration
• It is slightly more considerate of the whole family’s experience (even though this is your day, not theirs)
• You are more likely to hire a professional wedding planner who will help your event go smoothly

Cons of Traditional Marriage Celebrations

• Outrageously expensive and all money is spent in pursuit of one memorable evening
• It might feel stifling to more progressive couples
• Might limit venues to family-approved churches, clothing choices and even food preferences
• You may end up catering more to other people than your own wishes
• Typically have a larger guest list — which comes with more expenses and complications

Is Adhering to Marriage Tradition for You?

It’s not too hard to shirk tradition — in fact, it’s easy to look at something and think, “I can do better than that!” However, for some young couples, upholding cultural and religious traditions is an integral aspect of their faith, their relationship and how they work together to overcome life’s obstacles. The question you need to ask yourself is — what type of fun do I want to have at my wedding? And is it really “all about the newlyweds” — or is it worth it to wear Great Grandma’s tailored wedding dress?

Even if you aren’t religious or deeply entrenched in any particular culture, there’s no saying you can’t pick and choose fun symbolic celebrations to participate in. Whether this is toasting the family gathering, leaping over a broomstick or scandalously tossing a garter into the crowd, your wedding is yours to celebrate, so you might as well make it an enjoyable one.