European Union Forums

[Benn]

In many countries the couple uses to share the first piece of cake together. Romans believed that by eating the wedding cake together a special bond was created between the couple

[Mila]

In many countries the couple uses to share the first piece of cake together. Romans believed that by eating the wedding cake together a special bond was created between the couple

We eat a specially baked big round bread - karavai in Russia. The bride and the groom have to taste it and the superstition is that who bites off a bigger piece will be the head of the family.

Also, sometimes the guests throw rice and candy at the newly wed, as they walk by. They did this at my sister's wedding, so the rest of the day she was trying to get it out of her hair.

[Terry]

nice traditions Mila, but I honestly believe that the one who is biting the biggest part is permanently the groom, right?
As you said candies and rice, in some countries coins are thrown on the couple's way.

[Mila]

nice traditions Mila, but I honestly believe that the one who is biting the biggest part is permanently the groom, right?

As I try to remember all the weddings I've been to... Hm, I guess you are right.

[Steven]

Americans say:

Something old
Something new
Something borrowed
Something blue

Do other countries follow the same tradition?

[Faw_Peter]

Americans say:

Something old
Something new
Something borrowed
Something blue

Do other countries follow the same tradition?

I surely know that many "Americanized" families in Europe follow this tradition as well... consequences of cultural globalization. Still, it's I like the way it sounds.

[Benn]

In Germany, every groom will put some seeds into his pocket, as Germans believe it will bring welfare.

[Benn]

In Bulgaria, after the bride and the groom leave the celebration, they are stewed with figs

[M.Helen]

If we talk about traditions, then I should say that it has become a tradition that in Eastern Europe people spend thousands and thousands of dollars for the wedding. Even if the couple has little money, it will borrow from the bank and will make an expensive wedding.

[Big_Becka]

This happens in the west too - people will take out loans and remortgage their house (if they have one). It is now common for couples to start their married lives in deep debt. I think it is the main reason so many people don't want to get married.

It doesn't help that bands, caterers and florists charge a lot extra for weddings - there is a whole industry around weddings. I know a couple who saved a lot of money by not telling people that the "party" they were having was really their wedding!

[Terry]

starting a new life in debts is not a good sign at all. The point is that people don't understand that it is not the party itself which we call wedding. A wedding can include only the closest people - parents, brothers, sisters, while the people we simply know can wait.

[Terry]

In Greece, the figure 8 is considered to be very lucky. That's why the century's luckiest marriage date was considered August 8 2008 (08.08.08) Registry offices were overcrowded with wedding couples on that date.

[Peach]

Did you know that It is an Argentinean wedding tradition for the couple to exchange their wedding rings at the engagement, and not during the marriage vows. We overtook this tradition.

[Riser]

In Italy,people believe that diamonds are created by the flames of love. That's why the engagement ring must have a diamond. Poor Italian grooms...

[Laurentine]

According to Danish traditions, for avoiding bad luck, the newly+married cut the cake together as a married couple and all of the reception guests must eat a piece.

[Nathan]

specific for Ukraine - a traditional bread called Korovai is served at Ukrainian wedding receptions, Instead of the standard wedding cake, . This holy bread is decorated with symbols which symbolize the everlasting union of the couple that gets married.

[tricker]

Before a Korean bride may get married, she must participate in the traditional introducing ceremony, where the groom's family accepts her. Long time ago, the man willing to get married had to travel to his future wife's residence on a white pony.

[Peach]

Sweden: Before a girl leaves for the church to get married, her parents give her two coins: mother gives her a gold coin to go in her right shoe, and her father hands her a silver coin to be placed in her left shoe. This is how parents make sure that she won't change her mind.

[Benn]

In Panama it is traditional for the groom to offer his new wife 13 gold coins during the wedding ceremony and for the priest to bless the coins. The coins are a symbol of faithfulness the groom’s duty to support his new bride.

[tricker]

A Hawaiian wedding is not complete without the Hawaiian Wedding Song, and it is traditional for the bride’s and groom’s Hawaiian names to be pronounced upon their gold wedding bands.

[Steven]

A Hawaiian wedding is not complete without the Hawaiian Wedding Song, and it is traditional for the bride’s and groom’s Hawaiian names to be pronounced upon their gold wedding bands.

If you mentioned Hawaii then I will add that flower garlands (also known as leis) are traditionally placed around the bride's and groom's necks. It is a sign of love and respect, being formed of the island's most fragrant flowers.

[Lorry]

in Africa: When a man decided to get marry he must pay his wifes family in sheep or cattle for the loss of their daughters labor in support of the family. A wife may cost a man as many as 30 to 40 head of cattle.Also there young girls are trained to be good wives from an early age. They may even learn secret codes and secret languages that allow them to talk with other married women without their husbands understanding what is being said.

[Laurentine]

BULGARIA
The bride tosses a dish filled with wheat, coins and raw eggs over her head… if the dish breaks then it will bring her good luck.
SCOTLAND
The bridegroom has to carry a large basket filled with stones on his back from one end of the village to another till the bride comes out and kisses him.

[Martin]

Wedding tradition in China:
The bride and groom are conducted to the family altar, where they paid homage to Heaven and Earth, the family ancestors and the Kitchen God, Tsao-Chün. Tea, generally with two lotus seeds or two red dates in the cup, was offered to the groom’s parents.
Then the bride and groom bowed to each other. This completed the marriage ceremony, except in some regions, where both also drank wine from the same goblet, ate sugar molded in the form of a rooster, and partook of the wedding dinner together.

[Martin]

In Italy, guests pay big money for little bits of the groom's cut up tie. The money that comes from the pieces of his tie is then put toward the honeymoon expenses. Other methods of paying for the honeymoon include paid dances with the bride in Poland and Cuba and tossing coins in several other countries.