The same wedding idea in 17 places, grouped by region. Each entry is a short portrait; follow the link for the full tradition.
The Special Marriage Act, 1954 allows two adults of different religions or castes to marry in a civil registration, with a 30-day public notice. Many couples hold a religious ceremony too, and same-sex marriage is not recognised as of 2026, following the Supreme Court's 2023 decision.
Special Marriage Act, 1954, being writtenThe marriage law of 1974 states that a marriage is valid if conducted according to the religion of the couple, which makes interfaith marriages hard to register in the country, and many couples marry abroad or convert. Same-sex marriage is not recognised, so check current law.
Read: Interfaith marriageThailand passed a marriage equality law that took effect in January 2025, making it the first Southeast Asian country to allow same-sex marriage. Couples may register at district offices, and many hold a Buddhist blessing alongside it.
Read: Same-sex marriage in ThailandIn 2019 Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, following a constitutional court ruling and then a law. Couples register at household registration offices, and the wedding style follows the families' own traditions.
Read: Same-sex marriage in TaiwanSame-sex marriage is not legal nationally as of 2026, although several high courts have said that the lack of it is unconstitutional, and many cities offer partnership certificates. Interfaith and international weddings are common and are registered in the civil office.
Same-sex marriage in Japan, being writtenWeddings in Georgia and Armenia are mostly Orthodox, with civil registration required, and mixed Christian and Muslim marriages occur in border regions such as Azerbaijan. Same-sex marriage is not recognised in these countries, so check current law.
Culture of Georgia, being writtenMarriage is under religious courts, so there is no civil marriage for interfaith couples inside the country, and many go to Cyprus or other countries for a civil ceremony that Israel then registers. Same-sex marriages performed abroad are recognised for registration, but not performed in Israel.
Marriage in Israel, being writtenCyprus has become a wedding destination for interfaith couples from Israel and Lebanon, with civil ceremonies in Larnaca and Paphos. Same-sex couples have a civil union, but not marriage, as of 2026, so check current law.
Read: Marriage in CyprusOnly a civil marriage at the registry office is legal, and a religious ceremony alone has no legal standing. Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
Marriage in Turkey, being writtenTunisia has a civil marriage code, and in 2017 the government revoked a circular that had barred Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men. Same-sex marriage is not recognised, so check current law.
Marriage in Tunisia, being writtenSouth Africa was the first African country to legalise same-sex marriage, in 2006, and the Civil Union Act allows weddings of any couple. Customary marriages are recognised separately under the 1998 Act.
Read: Same-sex marriage in South AfricaSame-sex relationships are criminalised, and the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014 bans such marriages, which makes weddings a high risk for couples. Interethnic and interfaith weddings are common, often with two ceremonies.
Same-sex marriage in Nigeria, being writtenIn 2001 the Netherlands became the first country to open civil marriage to same-sex couples. The wedding is a civil one in the town hall, and many couples add a blessing.
Read: Same-sex marriage in the NetherlandsSame-sex marriage is legal in England, Wales and Scotland since 2014, and Northern Ireland since 2020. Many couples hold an interfaith ceremony with a celebrant of both traditions.
Read: Same-sex marriage in the United KingdomInterracial marriage bans ended with Loving v. Virginia in 1967 and same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in 2015 with Obergefell v. Hodges. Interfaith couples often share a ceremony with two officiants, and some states allow self-solemnised weddings.
Obergefell v. Hodges, being writtenSame-sex couples have been able to marry since a 2013 decision of the national justice council, following a Supreme Court ruling in 2011 on civil unions. Mixed Catholic, Afro-Brazilian and secular ceremonies are common.
Read: Same-sex marriage in BrazilSame-sex marriage became legal in December 2017 after a national postal survey and a change in the Marriage Act. Many couples include First Nations or multicultural customs.
Read: Same-sex marriage in AustraliaWritten 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.