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EveryShaadi

All wedding traditions

674 traditions so far, best known first. 108 more are on the list to be written. Filter by region, kind and stage of the wedding.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

🇬🇷 GreeceTsamikoΤσάμικος A traditional Greek folk dance performed at weddings and festivals, known for its slow tempo and acrobatic leaps.Performance · The wedding feast

🇬🇷 Athens, GreeceLoutrophorosλουτροφόρος An ancient Greek vessel that carried water for a bride's bath or marked an unmarried death.Attire · The weeks before

🇨🇭 Switzerland and 5 moreChicken DanceDer Ententanz A novelty polka song and accompanying hand movements performed at weddings and festivals.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts

🇪🇸 Seville, SpainSevillanas A traditional Andalusian folk dance performed by couples at weddings and local festivals in Spain.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts 🇬🇧 United KingdomGift registry A public wish list managed by retailers to coordinate wedding gifts and prevent duplicates.Feast custom · The weeks before

🇮🇹 Rome, ItalyWeddings in ancient Rome The religious ceremonies and attire that marked a union in the city of Rome before the rise of Christianity.Rite · The weeks before 🇬🇷 Greece and 1 moreKalamatianosΚαλαματιανός A popular Greek folk dance performed in a chain at weddings and social gatheringsPerformance · Reception, dance and gifts

🇪🇸 Spain and 4 moreMantilla A lace or silk veil worn over the head and shoulders by women in Spain and Latin AmericaAttire · The weeks before

🇲🇰 Galičnik, North MacedoniaGaličnik Wedding FestivalГаличка свадба (Galička svadba) A recreated traditional wedding in a North Macedonian village that turns a local rite into an annual festival.Feast custom · The ceremony

🇦🇹 Vienna, Austria and 2 moreViennese waltzWiener Walzer The fast rotary ballroom dance that originated in Austria and defines the traditional waltz.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts 🇺🇦 UkraineSong about the RushnykПісня про рушник (Pisnia pro rushnyk) A Ukrainian song that celebrates the embroidered cloth used in weddings and family life.Performance · The ceremony 🇮🇹 ItalyFescennine VersesFescennina carmina Bawdy wedding songs from Ancient Rome that evolved into satire and comic drama.Performance · 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

🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreGimmal ring A betrothal ring with separate hoops that join to form the wedding band.Adornment · Engagement and betrothal

🇫🇷 FrancePièce montée A sculptural French dessert centerpiece made of nougat, sugar, and pastry for wedding banquets.Feast custom · Reception, dance and gifts

🇺🇦 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 🇬🇷 Crete, GreecePentozaliΠεντοζάλης The vigorous Cretan war dance of high jumps and improvisation that marks the wedding procession.Performance · Procession and arrival

🇩🇪 Hamburg, Germany and 3 moreWimpelווימפל A linen sash made from a baby boy's circumcision cloth that binds the Torah scroll.Adornment · The weeks before

🇭🇺 Hungary and 5 moreCsárdás A Hungarian folk dance that begins slowly and ends with a fast spin.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts 🇵🇱 PolandSto lat A Polish song sung to wish a person long life and good health at weddings and other gatherings.Performance · The wedding feast

🇬🇧 United KingdomQuaichcuach A shallow two-handled cup used in Scottish weddings to share a drink and symbolise union.Feast custom · The ceremony

🇵🇱 Poland and 1 morePolonaisePolonez A stately Polish partner dance in triple metre that opens weddings and formal celebrations.Performance · Procession and arrival

🇷🇺 RussiaEastern Orthodox marriage The Byzantine Rite ceremony where a priest crowns the couple to seal their union in Christ.Rite · Engagement and betrothal

🇩🇰 Copenhagen, Denmark and 2 moreKransekakekransekage A towering almond ring cake central to Scandinavian wedding and holiday traditions.Feast custom · Reception, dance and gifts

🇦🇹 Austria and 4 moreDirndl The bodice, skirt and apron dress worn by brides in the German-speaking Alps.Attire · The ceremony

🇮🇪 Ireland and 1 moreHandfastingceangal na lámh (Irish); pòsadh-bliadhna (Scottish Gaelic) A pledge ceremony where a couple joins hands to make a binding marriage contract or engagement.Rite · 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

🇩🇪 Germany and 2 moreBridal ChorusTreulich geführt The Wagner opera march played for the bride's entrance at Western weddings.Performance · Procession and arrival 🇫🇷 FranceCivil solidarity pactPacte civil de solidarité (PACS) A French civil union contract that offers legal rights to couples without the full status of marriage.Vow · Engagement and betrothal

🇫🇷 Paris, FranceGlobe de mariée A glass bell jar used in France to hold the bride's bouquet and preserve family memories.Adornment · The weeks before

🇮🇸 IcelandSame-sex marriage in Icelandsamkynja hjónaband The legal union of two people regardless of gender, established in Iceland in 2010.Modern · The ceremony

🇵🇱 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

🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreCountry dance A social partner dance from England where couples follow a caller through repeated figures in long lines or squares.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts

🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 3 moreBedding ceremony The public ritual of placing the newlyweds in their marital bed to witness and seal the marriage.Rite · The ceremony 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 3 moreCivil ceremony A secular marriage rite performed by a government official at a licensed venue.Vow · The ceremony 🇸🇪 Stockholm, SwedenSame-sex marriage in SwedenSambolydning i Sverige The legal recognition of same-sex unions in Sweden since 2009.Modern · Engagement and betrothal

🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreWedding breakfast The post-ceremony feast served to the couple and their guests in British English usage.Feast custom · The ceremony

🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreGroomsman A male attendant who supports the groom and assists guests at a wedding.Family role · Finding a match

🇩🇪 Berlin, GermanySame-sex marriage in GermanyEhe für alle The legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Germany since 2017.Modern 🇸🇰 SlovakiaMamko Moja A Slovak Roma wedding song about a bride's longing for marriagePerformance · The weeks before

🇧🇬 Bulgaria and 5 moreBulgarian wedding musicсватбарска музика Fast-paced instrumental music played at Bulgarian weddings that blends folk, Romani, and Turkish styles.Performance · The ceremony

🇩🇪 Germany and 4 moreDower A share of the husband's property set aside to secure a woman's life if he dies first.Gift custom · Engagement and betrothal 🇬🇷 GreeceLipothymiarikosΛιποθυμιάρικος (Horos tis Nifis) A Greek wedding dance where men mimic a fainting bride in the early morning hours.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts

🇮🇹 ItalyFede ring A clasped-hands ring that symbolizes betrothal and faithfulness in marriage traditions.Adornment · Engagement and betrothal

🇷🇺 RussiaLoving cup A large shared drinking vessel with two handles used in Christian rites and weddingsFeast custom · The wedding feast 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreQuaker wedding A silent ceremony where Friends witness each other's vows without clergy or rigid rituals.Rite · The weeks before

🇬🇧 Edinburgh, United KingdomLuckenbooth brooch A Scottish heart-shaped silver token of love and protection worn at weddings.Adornment · Engagement and betrothal

🇮🇪 Galway, Ireland and 2 moreCladdagh ringFáinne an Chladaigh A traditional Irish ring featuring clasped hands, a heart, and a crown to symbolise friendship, love, and loyalty.Adornment · Engagement and betrothal

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Gimmal ring: Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Same-sex marriage in Germany: This image is a work by Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons user C.Suthorn, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Quaich: Robin-wood, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Claddagh ring: Royalcladdagh, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Bedding ceremony: Isaac Cruikshank, Public domain, source
Loutrophoros: Picture taken by Marcus Cyron, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Sevillanas: Anual, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Lithuanian wedding songs: Gailė Paštukaitė, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Globe de mariée: Alain Amet, CC BY 4.0, source
Recognition of same-sex unions in Italy: G.dallorto, Attribution, source
Dower: Pvasiliadis, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Fede ring: Anonymous ( Europe ) Unknown author, Public domain, source
Luckenbooth brooch: Walker14806, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Loving cup: Rhodian at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Same-sex marriage in Iceland: Stanko Gruden/STA/Predsednik Republike Slovenije, CC0, source
Bridal Chorus: Pierre Petit, Public domain, source
Bulgarian wedding music: Allen Ruttenberg, CC BY 2.0, source
Wedding breakfast: Arpingstone, Public domain, source
Country dance: Engraving by William Hogarth, CC BY 4.0, source
Kransekake: Kjetil Ree, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Chicken Dance: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Eastern Orthodox marriage: VitVit, CC BY 3.0, source
Polonaise: Korneli Szlegel, Public domain, source
Badchen: Unknown author, Public domain, source
Groomsman: Jenny Mealing, CC BY 2.0, source
Pièce montée: Byron Company, Public domain, source
Handfasting: Sander van der Wel, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Weddings in ancient Rome: Meister der Aldobrandinischen Hochzeit, Public domain, source
Rushnyk: Pavlo Boyko, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Wimpel: Wikipedia Loves Art participant " The_Grotto ", CC BY-SA 2.5, source
Mantilla: Museu Valencià d'Etnologia, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Galičnik Wedding Festival: IvanaKrstik, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Csárdás: Unknown author, Public domain, source
Viennese waltz: Sigismund von Dobschütz, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Dirndl: High Contrast, CC BY 3.0 de, source

The weekly EveryShaadi

Every week: one wedding tradition from somewhere new, the wedding days coming up around the world, and one idea explained.