Wedding Traditions By Culture
If you’ve had the pleasure of attending a cultural or religious wedding ceremony you’ll notice there are many symbolic moments shared between the bride and groom beyond their vows. These traditions are passed down from ancestors to celebrate long, loving and successful marriages. Some of our favorites:
Jumping The Broom (USA)
There are many conversations surrounding the origins of this tradition; however, in modern times it is exercised by African American couples. As the wedding ceremony comes to a close, a broom decorated with flowers or ribbon is placed in front of the bride and groom. The wedding guests then count down, and the newlyweds jump over it together. The jumping of the broom represents their union and pays homage to their ancestors who were not allowed to wed during slavery.
The Lasso (Mexico)
The “lasso” or “lazo” tradition is celebrated during many Mexican and Latinx weddings–typically by those who are a part of the Catholic church. A wedding lasso is usually made of rosary beads, rope, flowers, or ribbon. After vows have been exchanged, the lasso is placed over the couple’s shoulders by the godparents, officiant, or wedding sponsors. This tradition symbolizes the couple being united as one.
Varmala (India)
Similar to the lasso, in Indian culture they celebrate newlywed couples with a Varmala (also known as a Jaimala). It is a garland made with many colorful flowers to represent happiness and excitement. Before the ceremony, the bride-to-be places the Varmala around the groom's neck; in return he places one around the bride as well. This tradition signifies the acceptance of one another as their spouse.
Jing cha (China)
Jing cha is a Chinese term that means “to respectfully offer tea.” On the wedding day, the bride and groom serve tea to their parents, in-laws and other family members before the ceremony. This tradition dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), and once represented faithfulness from a woman to her partner. Today it is seen as a way to formally introduce and welcome one another into the family.
Log Cutting Ceremony (Germany)
An old tradition in German culture is a log cutting ceremony, during which the couple must use a long saw and two hands to saw through the log. It is a representation of the first obstacle they will have to overcome together.
Handfasting (Ireland + Scotland)
In ancient Celtic tradition, couples practiced handfasting. It began as an engagement ritual where two people would bond their wrist together with a ceremonial cord and exchange vows in front of a priest. The cord usually was made of rope, ribbon, or fabric in a wide range of colors that were significant to both partners. After the ceremony concluded, the couple would practice being married for a full year before officially tying the knot. In today’s times handfasting is performed at some wedding ceremonies (especially those who want to pay homage to their Irish or Scottish roots) to represent love and commitment.