Charivari
A noisy mock serenade with pots, pans and bells aimed at newlyweds, once used to shame unpopular marriages.
Also: chivaree, skimmington, rough music
Charivari is the French name for a custom, found across Europe and North America, in which neighbours gather outside a couple's house on or after the wedding night to bang pots and pans, ring bells and shout. Historically it was often directed at marriages the community disapproved of, such as a widow remarrying quickly or a great gap in age. In many places it became a friendly prank in which the couple is expected to come out and offer drinks or money. It is known in English as rough music and in North America as shivaree.
Region: Europe