Procession and arrival
The groom's baraat, the bridal escort, the blocked gate and the arrival at the venue.
The procession is the journey. The groom rides to the bride's house, the bride is escorted to the ceremony, or the whole village walks together. It is loud, public and festive, and often includes a mock challenge at the door.
The groom arrives
The Indian baraat brings the groom, often on a decorated mare, with dancers and a band, to the bride's family, who greet him at the milni. In Nigeria and Ghana the groom's family makes a formal entry. In Pakistan the barat arrives from the groom's side. In Mongolia and Kazakhstan the groom travels with his family to the bride's home, and in Greece the groom's party arrives with music and the bride's family offers a toast.
The bride is escorted
In Western weddings the bride travels in a car or carriage to the church and then walks the aisle, often with her father. In Egypt and Lebanon a zaffe leads the couple. In Morocco the bride is carried in the amariya on a platform. In parts of China the bride was historically carried in a red sedan chair and is now brought in a decorated car, and in Japan she may walk in a procession of priests and family to the shrine, under a red umbrella.
The blocked gate
At many weddings the door is blocked until a payment or a task is completed: the groom's friends in China and Korea, in India the sisters of the bride, and in Scotland children who tie a ribbon across the church gate for a coin. The point is play and welcome, and a way for the two sides to test one another.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Background on Procession and arrival (stage of the wedding). Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
🇷🇺 RussiaRussian wedding traditionsРусская свадьба
A multi-day celebration blending Orthodox crowning, ransom games, and lively toasting in Russia.Rite · Engagement and betrothal
🇵🇱 Poland and 1 moreBadchenבּדחן (badkhn)
The Ashkenazi Jewish wedding entertainer and master of ceremonies who guides the couple through ritual stages with song Performance · Engagement and betrothal
🇱🇹 Lithuania and 1 moreLithuanian wedding songsvestuvinės dainos
The polyphonic songs and weeping rituals that mark a Lithuanian bride's transition to her new family.Performance · Engagement and betrothal
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreGroomsman
A male attendant who supports the groom and assists guests at a wedding.Family role · Finding a match
🇷🇴 Romania and 5 moreKlezmerקלעזמער
The instrumental wedding music of Ashkenazi Jews, blending Eastern European and Jewish ritual melodies.Performance · Engagement and betrothal
🇮🇹 Siena, ItalyMarch of the PalioMarcia del Palio
The brass anthem played during the historical parade before Siena's horse race.Performance · Procession and arrival
🇬🇷 Crete, GreeceSoustaΣούστα
A Greek courtship dance performed at weddings to display romance and agility.Performance · Procession and arrival
🇵🇱 Poland and 3 moreŚmigus-Dyngus
The Easter Monday water splashing and willow whipping tradition of Central EuropeRite · The weeks before
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Śmigus-Dyngus: Nationwide Specialty Co., Arlington, Texas -- In Buffalo, N.Y., Stanle, CC BY 3.0, source
- Lithuanian wedding songs: Gailė Paštukaitė, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Sousta: psyberartist, CC BY 2.0, source
- Groomsman: Jenny Mealing, CC BY 2.0, source
- Russian wedding traditions: GeorgeLouis, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Badchen: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Klezmer: Unknown artist identified as "M.D.", Public domain, source