10 extraordinary wedding rituals worldwide

USA: Bouquet Toss 2.0
All the unmarried women at the wedding gather behind the bride, who throws the bouquet, and whoever catches it will be the next to marry. This tradition has become extremely popular in our region as well, but it originated in the USA. There, the ritual goes a step further: a future bride also needs a groom. So, the newlywed husband removes the garter from his wife's leg and throws it into the crowd of single men. The one who catches it must then share a dance with the bouquet catcher. 

Brazil: Names in the Hem
Brazilian brides often write the names of their single friends in the hem of their dress. This ritual is believed to bring good luck and help the single friends find marriage as well. This custom is also common in Greece, where the names are written on the soles of the bride's shoes. 

Mexico: Hitting a Piñata
At the center of this tradition is a piñata, a papier-mâché figure filled with sweets or money. It is hung in the air, for example, from a tree. The bride and groom are given a stick. Blindfolded, they take turns hitting the piñata until it breaks open and the treats fall out. 

Denmark: Kissing Frenzy
The Danes love kissing, at least one of their extraordinary wedding rituals suggests so: at the wedding reception, friends and relatives are allowed to kiss the bride or groom, but only when one of them is not in the same room. This means that if the bride temporarily leaves the room to freshen up, all the women present are allowed to kiss the groom until his partner returns. 

England: Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue
Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue should definitely be worn by the bride on her wedding day. Many wedding parties now know this. This ritual originally comes from Great Britain. The old item could be an inherited necklace, while the new item typically refers to the dress. Borrowed items might include jewelry, a purse, or a hair accessory, with a blue garter to top it off. The blue component represents fidelity, the borrowed item symbolizes friendship, the old item represents the bride's past life, and the new item signifies her future.

France: Garter Auction
Speaking of garters, this accessory plays the main role in a wedding tradition in France. There, the garter is auctioned off to the highest bidder. It goes like this: the bride dances surrounded by her loved ones while they place their bids. With each bid received, the bride lifts her dress a little higher until the garter eventually peeks out. The wedding couple then enjoys the money collected from the auction.

Japan: Sake Ceremony
Sake, also known as rice wine, is the focus of one of Japan's oldest wedding traditions. The bride and groom, as well as their parents, each drink three sips of sake from three different cups of varying sizes, replacing the traditional wedding vows. The drinking has a special significance: the first three sips seal the union of both families. The second three sips represent the human weaknesses of hatred, lust, and ignorance. The last three sips free the couple from past mistakes. In Japan, three is considered a lucky number. Therefore, the total of nine sips can be interpreted as triple luck. 

Russia: The Stolen Shoe
Another extraordinary wedding ritual comes from Russia. Before the wedding dance, two people, often parents, siblings, or friends, disguise themselves as gypsies and steal the bride's shoe. Of course, the day should not end without dancing, so a quick solution is needed: the guests can buy the shoe back from the gypsies and return it to the bride. As a reward, they receive vodka. The witnesses, however, are punished for not stopping the thieves. Their punishment can involve dancing limbo, stripping, or drinking a lot of schnapps. Once the shoe is back on the bride's foot, the dancing can commence. 

Turkey: Henna Night
Colorful, pompous, and lively—that's what Turkish weddings are like. The festivities begin even before the wedding day: the night before, female relatives and friends gather at the bride's house for the Henna Night, also known as Kina Gecesi. The bride is adorned with red henna. This ritual is meant to ensure a happy, fertile, and prosperous marriage. The evening includes lots of singing, dancing, and delicious food.

Hawaii: Conch Blowing
In Europe, weddings are often associated with church bells, but in Hawaii, they are associated with the hollow, deep sounds of a special seashell. The so-called "PU" can be heard for miles and is blown by a few wedding guests to celebrate the occasion. 

Whether you rely on customs from your region or family or draw inspiration from one of the most beautiful wedding rituals from around the world for your dream day is up to you. We would like to introduce another possibility: our Mevisto gemstones. Using only 10 grams of hair, we create a piece of jewelry that carries the essence of your loved one, which you can now always keep close to you.

A joint gemstone is also possible—made from the hair of both future spouses. And if there are already children, their hair—and thus their character—can also be integrated into the gemstone. We collaborate with regional goldsmiths, so we can fulfill any wish in terms of execution and cut. A sparkling token of love or a very special family piece of jewelry for those who value individuality.