The same wedding idea in 17 places, grouped by region. Each entry is a short portrait; follow the link for the full tradition.
In a Hindu wedding the bride's parents perform kanyadaan, placing her hand in the groom's, and the groom's mother welcomes the couple at the door with a lamp and rice. The groom's brother and the bride's brother have small ritual duties, such as the bride's brother pouring puffed rice into her hands.
Read: KanyadanaAt the nikah the bride is asked for her consent through her wali and two witnesses. The rukhsati, her ceremonial departure from her parents' home, is an emotional moment with prayers, and the groom's family receives her.
Rukhsati, being writtenNinongs and ninangs, sponsors who are often wealthy or respected friends of the parents, act as witnesses and give the couple gifts. The principal sponsors sign the register and hold the veil and cord used in the ceremony.
Marriage and wedding customs in the Philippines, being writtenThe couple serve tea to the parents and elders, who give red envelopes and jewellery in return. The ceremony shows respect for the family and the welcome of the bride into her husband's household.
Chinese tea ceremony, being writtenAt a Shinto wedding the go-betweens, the nakodo, once arranged and introduced the match, and the families toast each other with sake in the sansan-kudo. The family of each side sit facing each other at the ceremony.
Nakōdo, being writtenThe tamada, a toastmaster, runs the feast, and the groom's family brings a gift of wine to the bride's, with the best man, called the mkhlis, close to the groom. The wedding is held in a church with a godparent often serving as the sponsor.
Read: TamadaBoth sets of parents walk each of the couple to the chuppah, and two witnesses sign the ketubah. At the seven blessings the family and friends are honoured with a verse each.
Read: ChuppahThe groom's family formally visits the bride's home to ask for her hand, and the zaffe parade brings the groom to her. The couple's mothers play a leading part in the planning and the engagement.
Zaffe, being writtenThe groom's family makes the formal request for the bride's hand, the khotba, and the families agree the shabka (gold gift) and the contract. The couple is led through the street in the zaffa with the families dancing.
Culture of Egypt, being writtenAkan weddings start with the knocking on the door, when the groom's delegation, led by a family spokesperson, asks the bride's family for her hand. The two sides negotiate through spokespeople, who trade proverbs, and the bride is asked whether she accepts.
Knocking ceremony, being writtenThe koumbaros, the best man and sponsor, crosses the crowns, called stefana, three times over the couple's heads and often later baptises their children. The role is held for life and passed to the next generation.
Koumbaros, being writtenWitnesses sign the register, and the parents on both sides hold a prominent place at the table. The groom's mother and the bride's mother often wear matching colours, and the bride's father leads her in.
Italian wedding, being writtenThe father traditionally walks the bride down the aisle, the best man holds the rings and gives a speech, and the bridesmaids and ushers help guests. The groom's speech thanks the bride's parents.
Best man, being writtenThe wedding party of bridesmaids, groomsmen, a maid of honour and a best man stands at the front, and the parents are seated first. Many couples choose a parent to walk with them or walk alone.
Wedding party, being writtenPadrinos and madrinas sponsor parts of the wedding, such as the rings, the lazo, the arras and the cake, and become lifelong godparents to the marriage. The parents give a blessing to the couple at the start.
Padrino, being writtenPadrinos and madrinas sponsor the cake, the music or the rings, and the couple are often given advice by the whole family at the reception. In the highlands the godparents of the wedding are also given a role at later baptisms.
Compadrazgo, being writtenA wedding joins two extended families, with the exchange of fine mats (ie toga) from the bride's side and food and money from the groom's. The talking chiefs, matai, speak for each family in formal oratory.
Fa'a Samoa, 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.
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