Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue: we all know about these four traditional items that should be remembered for every British wedding. From not seeing the bride in her wedding dress before the big day to throwing the bride’s bouquet for the bridesmaids, UK weddings are bursting with traditions and superstitions that we all like to practise to ensure a long and happy marriage for the married couple-to-be. But we aren’t the only country or culture who like to take part in these beloved wedding rituals – the wedding team at Delamere Manor have pulled together a round-up of some inspiring wedding customs from around the globe to give you an idea of the many traditions that go far beyond the wedding horseshoe for good luck…

Mexico

A Mexican wedding is filled with many traditions, but our favourite has to be the wedding lazo. During the wedding vows at the wedding ceremony, a “lazo”, or lasso, is draped around the couple’s shoulders in the shape of a figure eight. Made of rosary beads and flowers, this beautiful tradition represents everlasting love, with “el lazo” representing the union of the couple, while the shape resembles the infinity symbol. 

Armenia

If you’d like to keep evil spirits away from your marriage, then you may wish to practise this quirky tradition from Armenia. When the newly married couple enters the wedding reception, they like to balance Lavash flatbread on their shoulders to ward off evil. As well as breaking a plate for good luck and eating spoonsful of honey to symbolise happiness, this tradition will surely lead you into a sweet and happy marriage. 

France

Eating chocolate and drinking champagne – sound good? Unfortunately, if you’re having a traditional French wedding, you usually consume these treats once you’re married from a toilet bowl (no- that’s not a typo!). The aim is to give the newlyweds strength before their first wedding night together. 

Czech Republic

If you like peas or lentils, then you may wish to take up this wedding tradition from the Czech Republic! As the newlyweds exit the wedding ceremony, the couple are usually showered with peas or lentils instead of rice as confetti. This ritual is meant to enhance fertility.

Netherlands

A beautiful tradition from the Netherlands includes a wishing tree instead of the traditional guest book. The Dutch like to encourage guests to write little notes of good wishes which they will hang from a tree branch or a small potted tree. If the couple opt for a small potted tree, the couple will traditionally take the tree home to be planted in their garden.

Peru

If you’d like to avoid throwing the bouquet, then you may be interested in this Peruvian tradition! In Peruvian weddings, the wedding cake is usually assembled with ribbons attached to charms, including a fake wedding ring. During the reception, all the single women in attendance are encouraged to take part in a “cake pull”. Each guest pulls a ribbon and the single woman who pulls out the fake wedding ring is believed to be the next to be married. 

India

This beautiful Indian custom involves the bride and her bridal party receiving henna designs on both their hands and feet before the wedding day. Bridal parties are known to sit for hours at a time to have their skin intricately painted with mehndi, as a relaxing ritual before the big day. These stunning designs will last about two weeks over the wedding period. 

Wales

Welsh brides like to treat their bridal party on their wedding days to cuttings of myrtle. Traditionally included in the wedding bouquets, myrtle symbolises love and the theory goes, that if the bridesmaids plant the cuttings and they bloom, they will be next to tie the knot!

Australia

If you’re interested in a wedding abroad in Australia, you may wish to take part in this unity tradition! At Aussie weddings, family and friends of the couple like to bring along small rocks which are placed in a single bowl. This “unity bowl” then goes to live with the newlyweds as a reminder of the support and love from their loved ones. 

Guatemala

This one involves a lot of fun for the groom’s parents! After the wedding ceremony in Guatemala, the wedding party head back to the groom’s house for the wedding reception, where the couple are invited to stand underneath a white ceramic bell filled with rice, flour and other grains that represent abundance and prosperity. It’s the groom’s mum’s job to smash the bell to shower best wishes on the couple. 

 

Delamere Manor is Cheshire’s most sought after wedding venue. To find out more, including availability for 2021 & 2022 weddings, get in touch with the Wedding Team at Delamere Manor on 01606 261361 or email us at enquiries@1120601262.test.prositehosting.co.uk