1.The Medieval Practice of Bedding Ceremonies
Weddings in medieval Europe weren’t just private affairs between two people—they were deeply communal events, sometimes uncomfortably so. One of the most startling traditions of the time was the bedding ceremony, a public ritual that marked the consummation of marriage. In many noble and royal unions, this wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it was a legal and social necessity. The newlyweds were escorted to their marital bed by family, friends, and even clergy, all of whom were there to witness—or at least ensure—the sanctity of the union.
The ceremony typically began with a priest blessing the bed, after which the bride and groom were undressed by their attendants. In some cases, especially in Scandinavia, the couple was carried to bed naked while guests cheered and made bawdy jokes. The belief was that public acknowledgment of the marriage’s consummation helped solidify its legitimacy, particularly in cases where political alliances or royal successions were at stake. In extreme instances, witnesses remained in the room, though a simple display of the couple lying together was frequently sufficient.
By the late 17th century, bedding ceremonies faded from practice as legal contracts replaced physical consummation as proof of marriage. While shocking by modern standards, these rituals reflected a time when marriage was as much a social contract as a personal commitment.
2.Brides Who Had to Cry for a Month Before Their Wedding
In the Tujia ethnic culture of southwest China, weddings begin not with laughter but with tears—lots of them. Known as “Zuo Tang” or “sitting in the hall,” this ritual requires the bride to weep for an hour every day, starting one month before her wedding. But she doesn’t cry alone. After ten days, her mother joins in. Another ten days later, the grandmother follows, and eventually, all the female relatives participate in what becomes a layered, orchestrated weeping ceremony.
Though it may seem like a display of sorrow, these tears are far from mournful. Instead, they symbolize joy, gratitude, and respect—a heartfelt farewell to the bride’s family before she enters a new life. The ritual also serves as a performance of filial piety, demonstrating the bride’s deep appreciation for her upbringing. In some villages, these tears even take on a musical quality, transforming into a kind of “weeping opera”, where the women cry in rhythmic, poetic patterns.
Historically, a bride who didn’t cry was considered ungrateful or ill-prepared for marriage, making this emotional display a crucial part of her transition. While modern weddings have largely abandoned this tradition, in some remote areas, the echoes of the weeping brides still linger—a poignant reminder of the cultural weight marriage once carried.
3.The Tradition of Stealing the Bride—A Wedding Kidnapping Custom
Bride kidnapping—an unsettling yet historically entrenched custom—has been practiced in various cultures for centuries. While it might sound like a relic from a bygone era, versions of this ritual have persisted in places like Georgia, Kazakhstan, and even among some Roma communities. In essence, this tradition involves the groom abducting his bride-to-be, sometimes with her consent, sometimes without. Historically, this practice emerged as an alternative to arranged marriages, especially when a groom could not afford a bride price or when families opposed the union.
In some cases, such as in Roma culture, the kidnapping is largely symbolic. The groom “steals” the bride before the wedding, after which formal negotiations take place with her family to seal the marriage. In Romania, a playful variation occurs during wedding festivities, where friends and family “kidnap” the bride, demanding a ransom—often in the form of champagne or a romantic gesture from the groom—to return her. However, in other regions, the practice has had darker implications. In parts of Central Asia, particularly in Kazakhstan, bride kidnapping has historically been used as a coercive tactic, forcing women into marriage. While laws have been enacted to criminalize non-consensual bride abductions, the practice continues in some rural areas, frequently under the guise of tradition.
The persistence of bride kidnapping across cultures reveals complex social dynamics surrounding marriage, gender roles, and family honor. While some versions exist as lighthearted rituals, others highlight the need for legal and cultural reforms to protect women’s rights and ensure marriage remains a consensual institution.
4.Smashing Dishes for Good Luck at Weddings
The tradition of smashing dishes at weddings is most famously associated with Greek culture, where it represents joy, abundance, and the warding off of evil spirits. This custom, regularly accompanied by the exclamation “Opa!” and lively music, was particularly popular in the mid-20th century, though its roots likely stretch back much further. The belief was that loud noises could scare away malevolent forces, ensuring the newlyweds’ happiness and prosperity. Furthermore, breaking plates symbolized wealth—if one could afford to shatter dishes, it suggested financial security and a carefree future.
While Greece is best known for this practice, similar traditions exist elsewhere. In Germany, the “Polterabend” ritual involves guests smashing porcelain (but never glass) before a wedding. Friends and family gather at the bride’s home to break dishes, and the couple must clean up the mess together, reinforcing the idea that teamwork is essential for a successful marriage. Over time, concerns about safety and waste led to the decline of plate-smashing at weddings, with some modern celebrations replacing it with symbolic alternatives like breaking plaster plates or tossing flowers. Despite these changes, the tradition remains a vivid symbol of celebration and togetherness in many cultures.
5.Feet-Washing Rituals as a Sign of Respect and Purity
Feet-washing ceremonies have long symbolized humility, respect, and purification in various cultures, particularly within religious and marital traditions. Perhaps the most well-known origins of this practice stem from Christianity, where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in an act of service and devotion, as recorded in the Gospel of John (John 13:1-17). This biblical precedent has influenced Christian wedding ceremonies, where couples incorporate foot-washing as a gesture of mutual love and commitment. By washing each other’s feet, the bride and groom demonstrate their willingness to serve one another throughout their marriage, reinforcing the values of humility and partnership.
Beyond Christian traditions, feet-washing rituals have been practiced in different cultural contexts. In some African-American wedding ceremonies, the act serves as a powerful symbol of mutual respect and care, emphasizing the couple’s dedication to nurturing their relationship. Similarly, certain European customs involved family members washing the feet of the bride or groom as a symbolic cleansing of past relationships, ensuring a fresh start in marriage. In Middle Eastern traditions, elaborate feet-washing ceremonies sometimes included fragrant oils and herbs, signifying blessings and purification.
Today, many couples choose to revive or adapt this ancient practice, appreciating its deep symbolic meaning. Whether performed as a religious observance or a personal gesture, the ritual continues to represent the foundation of a strong and respectful marital bond.
6.Throwing Fruit at Newlyweds to Ensure Fertility
Throughout history, wedding customs have repeatedly centered on fertility, ensuring that newlyweds would be blessed with prosperity and children. One of the more peculiar traditions involved throwing fruit at the couple—a practice rooted in ancient agricultural societies that saw fruit as a powerful symbol of abundance and reproduction. In ancient Greece, for instance, it was common to shower newlyweds with dates, figs, and nuts, particularly pomegranates, which were believed to hold strong procreative energy due to their numerous seeds. The Greeks considered this act a way to transfer nature’s fertility to the newly married pair, reinforcing the hope for a fruitful union.
The Romans had a similar tradition, though they favored walnuts. During Roman wedding processions, guests would throw walnuts at the groom, symbolizing his departure from bachelorhood and his entrance into married life. The sound of walnuts hitting the ground was thought to bring good fortune, while the scattering of the nuts represented an abundant and fertile future. Over time, this custom evolved, with sugared almonds—known as confetti in Italy—replacing actual nuts, maintaining the symbolic connection to fertility and sweetness in marriage.
These traditions highlight how agricultural societies intertwined their understanding of nature’s cycles with human relationships. While modern weddings have largely abandoned the practice of pelting couples with fruit, the underlying symbolism remains. Today, rice, flower petals, or even biodegradable confetti are thrown instead, still carrying the ancient wish for prosperity, happiness, and, in many cultures, a large and healthy family.
