Wedding traditions beginning with R
32 traditions under R.
🇷🇺 Russia and 5 moreRadonitsaРа́доница (Russian), Прóводи (Ukrainian), Ра́даўніца (Belarusian)
The Orthodox memorial day that lifts fasting restrictions and officially opens the wedding season.Feast custom · The weeks before
🇦🇲 ArmeniaRecognition of same-sex unions in Armenia
The legal status of same-sex marriage and foreign union recognition in Armenia.Modern
🇧🇴 Santa Cruz de la Sierra, BoliviaRecognition of same-sex unions in Bolivia
The legal recognition of civil unions and marriages for same-sex couples in Bolivia.Modern · Engagement and betrothal
🇭🇷 Zagreb, CroatiaRecognition of same-sex unions in CroatiaŽivotno partnerstvo
The legal framework that grants same-sex couples rights through life partnerships and foster care recognition.Modern
🇨🇾 Nicosia, CyprusRecognition of same-sex unions in Cyprusπολιτική συμβίωση (Greek), sivil birliktelik (Turkish)
The legal framework for registered partnerships and the ongoing debate over marriage equality in Cyprus.Modern · Engagement and betrothal
🇫🇯 Suva, FijiRecognition of same-sex unions in Fiji
The legal status and social context of same-sex marriage and civil unions in Fiji.Modern
🇭🇺 Budapest, HungaryRecognition of same-sex unions in Hungarybejegyzett élettársi kapcsolat
The legal framework for same-sex relationships in Hungary, ranging from informal cohabitation to registered partnershipsModern · Engagement and betrothal
🇮🇹 Rome, ItalyRecognition of same-sex unions in ItalyRiconoscimento delle unioni tra persone dello stesso sesso in Italia
The legal framework that grants same-sex couples rights and protections in Italy.Modern
🇰🇪 KenyaRecognition of same-sex unions in Kenya
The legal ban on gay marriage alongside traditional female-to-female unions that persist in some communities.Vow · Engagement and betrothal
🇱🇹 Vilnius, LithuaniaRecognition of same-sex unions in Lithuania
Legal recognition of same-sex civil partnerships and marriages through court rulings and legislative efforts.Modern
🇫🇲 MicronesiaRecognition of same-sex unions in Micronesia
The legal status of same-sex marriage and civil partnerships in the Federated States of Micronesia.Vow
🇲🇨 Monaco, MonacoRecognition of same-sex unions in Monacocontrat de vie commune; union civile
Legal frameworks for same-sex couples in Monaco, from cohabitation agreements to ongoing civil union debates.Modern · Engagement and betrothal
🇲🇪 Podgorica, MontenegroRecognition of same-sex unions in MontenegroŽivotno partnerstvo
Legal recognition for same-sex couples in Montenegro through life partnerships.Modern
🇳🇦 NamibiaRecognition of same-sex unions in Namibia
The legal status of same-sex marriage and foreign union recognition in NamibiaVow
🇵🇱 Warsaw, PolandRecognition of same-sex unions in Poland
The legal process for acknowledging foreign same-sex marriages and civil unions within Polish law.Modern
🇰🇷 Seoul, South KoreaRecognition of same-sex unions in South Korea
The ongoing legal and political struggle to recognize same-sex marriages and civil unions in South Korea.Modern
🇸🇷 SurinameRecognition of same-sex unions in Suriname
The legal status of same-sex marriage and civil partnerships in Suriname.Modern
🇺🇬 UgandaRecognition of same-sex unions in Uganda
The legal status of same-sex marriage and civil unions under Ugandan law.Modern
🇻🇺 Port Vila, VanuatuRecognition of same-sex unions in Vanuatu
The legal status and history of marriage equality for same-sex couples in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu.Modern
🇻🇳 Hanoi, VietnamRecognition of same-sex unions in Vietnam
The legal status and public debate surrounding same-sex weddings in VietnamModern
🇿🇼 ZimbabweRecognition of same-sex unions in Zimbabwe
The legal and social landscape for same-sex marriage in ZimbabweModern
🇨🇳 China and 6 moreRed envelope红包 (hóngbāo)
A gift of money in a red paper sleeve exchanged at weddings and holidays to bring good luck.Gift custom · The wedding feast
🇨🇳 China and 1 moreRed Thread of Fate姻緣紅線
An invisible cord that links destined lovers across time and distance.Blessing
🇨🇿 Prague, CzechiaRegistered partnership in the Czech Republicregistrované partnerství
The legal framework for same-sex couples in Czechia that grants marriage-like rights without the title of marriage.Modern · 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 Kingdom and 1 moreRèiteach
A Scottish Gaelic betrothal ceremony where families negotiate marriage terms and celebrate with whisky.Betrothal · Engagement and betrothal
🇯🇵 Onomichi, JapanRibbon Chapelリボンチャペル
A glass-walled wedding venue in Onomichi with twin staircases that symbolize the bond of marriage.Setting · The ceremony
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreRing fingerdigitus annularis
The fourth digit of the hand where wedding and engagement rings are traditionally worn.Attire · The ceremony
🇰🇭 Cambodia and 4 moreRomvongរាំវង់ (Khmer)
A circular folk dance across Southeast Asia where couples hold hands and step in time with drums.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇪🇸 SpainRoyal Pragmatic on MarriageReal Pragmática
A Spanish law requiring parental permission for marriage to enforce social class boundaries.Vow · Engagement and betrothal
🇺🇦 Ukraine and 2 moreRushnykрушник (Ukrainian), ручнік (Belarusian), ручник/рушник (Russian)
The embroidered linen cloth that marks life stages and guides the couple through the wedding ceremony in East Slavic culAdornment · The weeks before
🇷🇺 RussiaRussian wedding traditionsРусская свадьба
A multi-day celebration blending Orthodox crowning, ransom games, and lively toasting in Russia.Rite · Engagement and betrothal
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Poland: Silar, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Rushnyk: Pavlo Boyko, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ribbon Chapel: メルビル, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Italy: G.dallorto, Attribution, source
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Hungary: Christo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Recognition of same-sex unions in South Korea: Nerd271, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Vietnam: USAID Vietnam, Public domain, source
- Ring finger: RAPMOODDE, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Croatia: Danny Fowler, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Romvong: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Public domain, source
- Radonitsa: Perohanych, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Russian wedding traditions: GeorgeLouis, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Red envelope: Oldie~commonswiki, Public domain, source
- Registered partnership in the Czech Republic: Martin Strachoň, CC BY-SA 3.0, source