The same wedding idea in 17 places, grouped by region. Each entry is a short portrait; follow the link for the full tradition.
The sangeet, a night of songs and choreographed dances by both families, has grown from a women's evening of dholak singing in Punjab and Gujarat. It is held a day or two before the wedding and has become a show in its own right.
Sangeet, being writtenThe mayun and mehndi nights are for singing, dancing and putting henna on the bride, with the groom's family often bringing henna to the bride's home. Women sing folk songs, and the ceremony may be held separately from men.
Read: MehndiJavanese brides take a midodareni night, a quiet evening at home when the bride is seen as being visited by angels, with a ritual bath called siraman beforehand. Family and friends gather and elders give advice.
Javanese wedding, being writtenThe groom's friends in the past performed the ham-pasa, carrying the box of gifts to the bride's home. Today friends hold a casual night out, and the modern habit of a bachelor party is spreading in cities.
Ham, being writtenBefore the wedding, the bride holds a farewell evening, the kyz uzatu, with songs of parting, the saukele headdress and a feast at her parents' home. Friends and relatives of her own side sing and give gifts.
Kyz uzatu, being writtenThe henna night, kina gecesi, is a women's evening the day before the wedding, with songs and tears as the bride says goodbye to her family. The bride's palm is painted, a coin is put in her hand and the groom's relatives dance.
Henna night, being writtenThe bride's friends gather for the henna night, and the groom's family sends a gift of sweets and a bag of henna, with a band singing to the bride. The zaffa, the lively parade, follows on the wedding night.
Zaffe, being writtenThe hammam bath for the bride and her women friends comes first, followed by the henna night with a negafa, the woman who dresses the bride, and songs and music. The bride may change several times through the wedding.
Moroccan wedding, being writtenA kitchen tea is held for the bride a few weeks before, with a gift of kitchen goods and games that test the bride's knowledge. A bachelor party, often with a braai, follows for the groom.
Read: Bridal showerThe Polterabend, the night before, is a party where guests smash porcelain for luck (but not glass or mirrors), and the couple sweep it up together. The bachelor party is a separate event often held with funny costumes, selling kisses or small items on the street.
Read: PolterabendThe stag do and hen do are often weekends away, with matching shirts, games and plenty of drinking, a custom that spread from the 20th century. Many couples now prefer a quieter weekend or a joint party.
Read: Bachelor partyFriends host a vrijgezellenfeest, the party for the unmarried, with a day of challenges and games. The bride may wear a costume and carry a basket of items to sell.
Read: Bachelor partyThe bridal shower, where friends give household gifts, was born in the early 20th century as a way for the bride's community to equip her, and is now often a brunch. Bachelor and bachelorette parties follow, often weekend trips, and the rehearsal dinner is hosted the night before.
Read: Bridal showerIn Manitoba and Ontario the Jack and Jill, or stag and doe, is a fundraising party for the couple's wedding or home, with raffles and a bar. Tickets are sold to the whole community.
Read: Stag and doeThe despedida de soltera is a party of friends and family for the bride, often with games and gifts, and the groom has his own farewell. It might include a mariachi band and a Mexican dinner.
Read: Bachelorette partyThe cha de panela, the pot tea, is a shower where women give kitchen goods to the bride, and the groom's friends hold a separate churrasco. In recent years couples hold a joint cha bar.
Read: Bridal showerThe hen's party and the buck's party are the usual names, with weekends in Sydney or Byron Bay for the bachelor, and a kitchen tea or a high tea for the bride. The parties often include a shared lunch.
Read: Bachelor partyWritten 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.