10 Bizarre Wedding Traditions That Prove Love Is Universal

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

• Origin: Blackening is a traditional pre-wedding ritual practiced primarily in rural Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Northern Isles. The custom involves friends and family dousing the bride and/or groom in a messy mix of substances, including mud, flour, and sometimes more unpleasant materials like rotten food or fish guts.
• Historical Context: The origins of blackening are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have evolved from an earlier cleansing ritual known as “feet-washing.”

• Symbolism: Historically, blackening was believed to ward off evil spirits and prepare the couple for the inevitable challenges of married life.
• Modern Practice: Today, blackening continues in certain Scottish communities, viewed more as a rite of passage than a superstition. It fosters camaraderie among friends and family, turning the ordeal into a lively and humorous event. The couple is often paraded around town, adding an element of mischief and fun to the tradition.

2. The Bride’s Washing Ceremony — Morocco

• Origin: In Moroccan weddings, the bride undergoes a traditional washing ceremony, known as the "Hammam Ritual," before her big day. This ritual is often held in a communal bathhouse, where female relatives and friends gather to prepare her for marriage.
• Historical Context: The hammam (public bath) has long been a place of purification and social bonding in Moroccan culture. For centuries, this cleansing ceremony has been an essential pre-wedding tradition, signifying the bride’s transition into married life.
• Symbolism: The warm water, olive oil, and aromatic herbs used in the ritual symbolize purity, renewal, and protection from bad luck. It is also seen as a final bonding moment between the bride and the women in her family before she joins her husband’s household.
• Modern Practice: While some brides still observe the traditional hammam ritual, others opt for spa treatments or private ceremonies with close family. Regardless of the form it takes, the act remains a cherished pre-wedding tradition in Moroccan culture.

3. Crying Ritual — China (Tujia People)

• Origin: The crying ritual, known as Zuo Tang (meaning “sitting in the hall”), is a longstanding tradition among the Tujia ethnic minority in Southwest China, particularly in Sichuan Province. Practiced for over 400 years, this custom is deeply rooted in the region’s cultural heritage.
  According to legend, the ritual traces back to the Warring States period, when a princess’s profound sorrow at being married off led to the establishment of this tradition. Her intense weeping was seen as a reflection of the bittersweet nature of marriage—both a joyous union and a painful departure from one’s family.
• Duration and Participation: The ritual begins approximately a month before the wedding, with the bride crying alone for about an hour each night. After ten days, her mother joins in, followed by her grandmother ten days later. As the wedding approaches, more female relatives participate, turning the practice into a communal expression of emotion. This collective weeping strengthens family bonds and acknowledges the emotional significance of marriage.
• Symbolism: The crying ritual embodies the dual emotions tied to marriage—joy for the new beginning and sorrow for leaving one’s childhood home. It serves as both an emotional release and a rite of passage, preparing the bride for the transition to her new life while honoring the depth of familial ties.

4. Breaking Dishes — Germany

• Origin and Purpose: The tradition of Polterabend has deep roots in ancient Germanic and Norse customs, where loud noises were believed to drive away evil spirits. This belief aligns with the practice of breaking porcelain, a ritual intended to bring good fortune to the couple. The German saying “Scherben bringen Glück” (shards bring luck) reflects this idea, suggesting that shattered porcelain symbolizes prosperity and happiness in marriage.
• Activities Involved: A Polterabend typically takes place at the bride’s home, where guests gather to break porcelain items such as plates, bowls, and even larger objects like sinks or toilets. The noise generated by the smashing is believed to expel negative energy, ensuring a fresh and lucky start for the newlyweds. The event is a lively and communal affair, often accompanied by laughter, food, and drinks.
• Symbolism: After the breaking of porcelain, the couple is tasked with cleaning up the shards together. This act serves as their first challenge in marriage, symbolizing the importance of teamwork and cooperation. The idea is that, just as they tackle this task together, they will navigate the ups and downs of married life as a united pair.

5. Bread and Salt Blessing — Eastern Europe

• Origin: A deeply symbolic tradition in Poland and other Eastern European countries, this wedding custom involves presenting the newlyweds with bread and salt after the ceremony.
• Historical Context: Dating back centuries, this tradition was a way for families to offer their blessings, ensuring prosperity and endurance in the couple’s marriage.
• Symbolism: The bread symbolizes abundance and the hope that the couple never goes hungry, while the salt represents the inevitable hardships they will endure together.
• Modern Practice: The couple takes a bite of the bread and a pinch of salt, signifying their acceptance of both the sweet and bitter moments in marriage.

6. Beating the Groom’s Feet – South Korea

• Overview of the Ritual: The tradition known as balenbai is a playful and lighthearted wedding custom in which the groom’s friends and family remove his shoes and socks, tie his ankles together, and gently beat the soles of his feet. This is typically done using objects such as a stick, a rod, or even dried fish. As part of the ritual, the groom is expected to endure the ordeal while answering riddles or trivia questions posed by the participants.
• Purpose and Atmosphere: The primary purpose of this ritual is to test the groom’s strength and character in a fun and engaging way. It serves as a bonding experience between the groom and his loved ones, adding an element of humor and camaraderie to the wedding festivities. The groom is expected to take the playful “punishment” in stride, symbolizing his resilience and good-natured spirit as he enters married life.
• Cultural Significance: Although this practice may seem unusual, it aligns with other humorous wedding traditions found across various cultures, where grooms are subjected to lighthearted challenges before marriage. The ritual reinforces the importance of friendship, laughter, and shared experiences, highlighting the role of humor in preparing for a lifetime together.

7. Doll — Puerto Rico

• Overview of the Tradition: In traditional Puerto Rican weddings, a doll dressed in a bridal gown is often placed at the head table during the reception. Designed to resemble the bride—sometimes even matching her wedding dress—this doll is a symbolic centerpiece. It is believed to bring good luck and express appreciation for the guests’ presence at the celebration.
• Gifts for Guests: The doll is typically adorned with charms or decorative trinkets, which are later distributed among the guests. These small keepsakes serve as tokens of gratitude while also carrying symbolic well-wishes for the bride’s future happiness and prosperity.
• Historical Context: Variations of this tradition have existed throughout history. In some cases, the doll was once dressed in black to symbolize the couple’s commitment “until death do us part.” However, the modern interpretation focuses on celebration, joy, and the collective appreciation of friends and family who share in the couple’s special day.

8. Avoiding the Bathroom — Indonesia

• Overview of the Tradition: Among the Tidong community in Borneo, Indonesia, newlyweds observe a unique ritual in which they are forbidden from using the bathroom for three days following their wedding. During this period, family and friends closely monitor the couple, providing them with only minimal food and water to reduce the need for relief. This practice is believed to be a crucial step in securing a successful and lasting marriage.
• Cultural Beliefs: The ritual is deeply rooted in the belief that enduring this challenge together strengthens the couple’s bond and ensures a long, harmonious union. According to tradition, breaking the rule could invite misfortune, including marital discord, infidelity, or even the premature end of the marriage. The couple’s ability to withstand this test is seen as a reflection of their commitment, patience, and resilience—qualities essential for a strong relationship.
• Modern Context: While this tradition may seem extreme or unusual to outsiders, it remains a respected and meaningful practice within the Tidong community. Beyond testing the couple’s endurance, the ritual symbolizes the gravity of marriage and the support system provided by family and friends as the newlyweds transition into their new life together.

9. Kidnapping the Bride — Romania

• Overview of the Tradition: Often referred to as “bride-napping,” this playful and lighthearted custom is a staple of Romanian weddings. At some point during the celebration—typically around midnight—the bride is “abducted” by friends or family members while the groom is momentarily distracted.
• Negotiation for Ransom: Once the bride is taken, the groom must negotiate her return by offering a ransom, which usually involves drinks, humorous challenges, or romantic gestures. This adds an element of fun while also symbolizing the groom’s dedication and willingness to “fight” for his bride.
• Cultural Significance: Though the tradition playfully echoes historical instances of bride abduction by rival clans, it has long since evolved into a symbolic and entertaining event. Rather than implying any real threat, bride-napping is meant to foster a sense of community, keep guests engaged, and enhance the festive atmosphere of the wedding. The lighthearted negotiation process ensures that everyone—especially the couple—shares a memorable and laughter-filled experience.

10. Jumping the Broom — African American and Celtic Tradition

• Origin: This tradition dates back to both African and Celtic cultures. It became particularly significant among enslaved African Americans in the 18th and 19th centuries when legal marriages were prohibited.
• Historical Context: In African tribal ceremonies, brooms symbolized sweeping away past troubles. Enslaved African Americans used it as a symbolic marriage act when they couldn’t legally wed. Meanwhile, in Celtic traditions, jumping the broom was a common handfasting ritual.
• Symbolism: Jumping over the broom represents a fresh start, sweeping away negativity, and entering a new life together with good luck.
• Modern Practice: Today, many African American couples incorporate this tradition into their wedding as a way to honor their ancestors. The broom is often decorated and kept as a cherished keepsake.

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 goes beyond 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.