Wedding traditions of North America
Something old, something new, jumping the broom, the Navajo wedding basket and the Mexican lazo. 47 traditions on EveryShaadi so far.
Countries
Cities and towns
On the calendar
June, the Western wedding monthSeptember and October wedding peak2/22 and other repeated datesLag BaOmer, weddings resumeTu B'Av as a wedding dateThe dry season wedding months in Latin AmericaLentHoly Week and the TriduumFriday the 13thThe Counting of the OmerThe Three Weeks and the Nine DaysTisha B'Av
🇺🇸 United StatesWedding cake topper
A small figurine placed on top of a wedding cake to represent the couple.Adornment · Reception, dance and gifts
🇺🇸 Austin, United States and 5 moreBachelorette party
A pre-wedding gathering for the bride-to-be and her female friends, known as a hen party in many Commonwealth nations.Performance · The weeks before
🇲🇽 Oaxaca, MexicoOaxacan wedding
A multi-day Catholic celebration in Oaxaca featuring mole, mezcal, and communal dancing.Feast custom · Engagement and betrothal
🇺🇸 Pittsburgh, United States and 1 moreCookie table
A display of assorted homemade cookies served alongside the wedding cake at a reception.Feast custom · Reception, dance and gifts
🇺🇸 Las Vegas, United States and 5 moreBachelor party
A final celebration for the groom before his wedding, with names and customs varying by region.Feast custom · The weeks before
🇺🇸 United StatesStack cake
A layered Appalachian dessert made of crisp molasses cakes and dried apple filling.Feast custom · Reception, dance and gifts
🇨🇦 CanadaStag and doe
A Canadian fundraiser where guests pay to help the couple cover wedding costs.Feast custom · Engagement and betrothal
🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreWedding vow renewal ceremony
A service where a married couple repeats their marriage promises to reaffirm their commitment.Vow · After the wedding
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreBridal shower
A pre-wedding gift-giving party hosted for the bride by her friends and family.Betrothal · Engagement and betrothal
🇺🇸 United StatesRehearsal dinner
A pre-wedding meal held after the final practice to thank the wedding partyFeast custom · The weeks before
🇺🇸 United StatesGroom's cake
A second dessert served at the wedding reception or rehearsal dinner to reflect the groom's tastes.Feast custom · Reception, dance and gifts
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Wedding cake topper: Andy Mabbett, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Bachelorette party: Michael Vincent Photography for Bride's Night Out, Inc., CC BY 3.0, source
- Oaxacan wedding: Adam Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Cookie table: Chris Winters, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bachelor party: Derek Springer, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Stack cake: thebittenword.com, CC BY 2.0, source
- Bridal shower: The McClouds, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Groom's cake: Derek Key, CC BY 2.0, source