The same wedding idea in 16 places, grouped by region. Each entry is a short portrait; follow the link for the full tradition.
After a Hindu wedding the bride is welcomed at the groom's home in the griha pravesh, kicking a pot of rice and stepping through red footprints, and soon after she returns to her parents for the pag phera. The couple then take part in family visits and rituals.
Griha pravesh, being writtenThe walima, a feast hosted by the groom's family the day after the wedding, is a sunnah celebration and gives thanks. The bride's family hosts the couple soon after, in the custom called chauthi or the return.
Walima, being writtenJavanese families hold the ngunduh mantu, in which the groom's family welcomes the bride at their home after the wedding, and the Balinese couple visit the temple. Honeymoon trips are often to Bali or the mountains.
Javanese wedding, being writtenOn the third day after the wedding the bride returns home with her husband in the huimen, bringing gifts and having a meal with her family. In some areas the bed is set with dates, peanuts, longans and lotus seeds, a pun on having children early.
Huimen, being writtenThe pyebaek is a ceremony in which the bride bows to the groom's parents and is thrown dates and chestnuts for a wish of many children. The couple then visit the bride's parents, and many go on a honeymoon, often to Jeju Island.
Read: PyebaekThe betashar is a ceremony in which the new bride is introduced to her husband's relatives, with a song that tells her of their names and a veil raised by the singer. She bows to each of them in turn and receives gifts.
Betashar, being writtenThe pa-gosha, the opening of the feet, is held a few days after the wedding, when the bride's parents bring gifts and a meal to the couple's new home. Sweets and flowers are shared.
Persian wedding, being writtenThe sabaha, a visit the morning after the wedding, brings family and friends to the couple's home with breakfast and sweets. A honeymoon in Sharm el-Sheikh or Alexandria is popular.
Culture of Egypt, being writtenIn some communities the bride rests for seven days, receiving visitors and gifts, while the husband's relatives bring food. A celebration called the sbou3 marks the first week.
Moroccan wedding, being writtenIn many Yoruba and Igbo families the couple visit the bride's parents soon after the wedding and the elders give advice and gifts. A thanksgiving service at church is common the next Sunday.
Nigerian wedding, being writtenOn the day after the wedding, in some villages, the family hosts a visit called the antigamos or the second day of the wedding, and the couple open their gifts. A honeymoon often follows after the summer.
Greek wedding, being writtenThe honeymoon began as a British custom of the 19th century, and the first anniversary is the paper anniversary, with a gift of paper or a trip. Many couples keep the top of their cake for the christening or the first anniversary.
Honeymoon, being writtenAfter the wedding, many couples have a send-off, a honeymoon and a day-after brunch for guests, and the top tier of the cake is saved for the first anniversary. Thank-you notes follow within a few weeks.
Honeymoon, being writtenThe recalentado, a day-after party at which the leftovers of the wedding are eaten with the closest family, is a beloved custom, and the couple often join. A honeymoon trip often follows within the month.
Wedding, being writtenThe wedding cake is made weeks ahead, and the couple often share a slice with absent friends, sending boxes of black cake. A honeymoon at a resort or a quiet house in the hills is typical.
Black cake, being writtenSome Maori families hold a hakari, a feast after the ceremony at the marae, and in some families a visit to the husband's home follows. Many couples travel to the Pacific or around the country for the honeymoon.
Marae, being writtenWritten by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Every week: one wedding tradition from somewhere new, the wedding days coming up around the world, and one idea explained.