Marriage Customs Around the World

The sacrament of matrimony is a solemn observance. In the Christian church, it is an outward sign of faithful worshipers receiving the grace of God in their lives together. This is a socially recognized and approved union between individuals who commit to each other, expecting a lasting, intimate relationship. Marriage is one of society's most important institutions. It ensures social reproduction, as well as being a source of intimacy for those involved. Anthropologists characterize these ceremonies (marriages) as a rite of passage.

Any old tradition can evolve over time. It is inevitable to resist the change that comes along with time. Even so, many marriage customs have been practiced since ancient times and remain a constant in ceremonies across the globe even today.

Objects can represent a variety of symbols in different religions and cultures. In the early American lifestyle, the bride wore a pair of gloves to represent modesty and romance on her wedding day. Beauty and power are represented by cowrie shells in Africa. Hope for a long life is celebrated by myrtle cuttings in Austria, where as relatives decorate yard trees with ribbon and egg shells in the Czech Republic to represent the same. Myrtle cuttings and bouquets in Wales symbolize love. Peace of the wedding day is celebrated by releasing white doves in the Philippines, while in Armenia they represent love and happiness. The groom promises fidelity in Korea by offering ducks and a gray goose to his bride. These particular fowl are chosen because they mate for life and signify that the groom intends to do so as well. The union of two people is celebrated in the Philippines by a white silk cord being placed around them. Ribbon tied across the church door in Italy signifies the wedding bond between bride and groom. A large rosary is tied around the couple's shoulders in Mexico to represent the union and protection of marriage. Friends wash the feet of the bridge and groom in Scotland, preparing them to set off on a new path in life together. Love and happiness in China is signified by anything of a red color. In Thailand, an older couple prepares the bridal bed decorated with bags of rice, sesame seeds, coins and a tomcat. In the Spanish culture, a wreath of orange blossoms represents chastity, purity and everlasting love. Brides in Greece carry a lump of sugar in their gloves to assure a sweet life, while in Yemen, the bride's family prepares small, sweet fritters which promise a sweet life for the newly-weds and all who participate in the ceremony. Pink chalk is the color chosen to represent a rosy future in Vietnam.

Though there are others, tree and foods are common symbols of fertility. In Croatia, apples are used, while in Malaysia it's hard boiled eggs. Two fir trees are set on either side of the door to the couple's house until they are blessed with a child in Norway. Firs are boughs are placed along the path of the couple in Germany. In Switzerland, to signify luck and fertility, a pine tree is planted in the couple's yard. In Sweden, the bride wears her shoes unfastened to signify easy child bearing in the future.

Now we will discuss how many different customs got their origin. The bachelor party appears to have its source in Sparta. The Spartan groom always invited his close friends for supper on the eve of his wedding. The processional originated during the medieval times. It was especially colorful and much larger than those of today. The wedding party can be traced back to Saxon England during the "Marriage by capture" era. Friends of the groom would stay to fight off angry relatives of the bride. They were the best man and ushers. The bride's friends were responsible for making the bridal wreath, decorations, and the dress. Through the early 18^th century in Saxon, a bride showed up at her wedding in nothing but a simple white robe. Thus became the tradition of a white wedding gown. The veil was first introduced in Europe. A bride was bargained for through her father and not revealed to the groom until after the ceremony, when he lifted the swath. The origin of the tradition of the wedding cake is difficult to trace, dating back to the Middle Ages, various cultures used this to symbolize good luck to the new couple. The throwing of rice or old shoes originated among ancient Jews and the Anglo-Saxons. When an old show was thrown, it signified authority had been transferred from the bride's father to her new husband. The honeymoon originated in Northern Europe. A new couple drank wine made of mead and honey for a month after their wedding. A month was then referred to as a "moon", thus creating the phrase "honeymoon". Flowers carried special meaning. Wealthy brides usually wore crowns of live flowers, while poorer brides had to use artificial ones.

Many American wedding customs may have similar versions depending upon where you are in the world. As in the American ritual, there are some things that most brides hold dear on their wedding day; the American tradition is "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." IN other cultures, an embroidered handkerchief is passed along (Belgium), a wreath of rosemary is presented to the bridge (Czech Republic), or a "lucky" horseshoe is given to the couple to hang in their home (Ireland). Traditionally in England, the bride walks through the village to her wedding. Leading her path is a small girl strewing flowers along the road so the bride's life will be happy and laden with flowers. This is similar to the role of the modern day "flower girl" in American weddings. In Finland, the bride wears a golden crown, and after the wedding, all the unmarried women dance in a circle around the blindfolded bride who places the crown on someone's head. American brides throw their bouquet of flowers to the single ladies, and the groom tosses the bride's garter to the single men in the crowd. It is thought that who ever is the recipient of these items will be the next to marry. This is one of the oldest surviving wedding traditions. In America, close friends and family often host a party for both bride and groom, traditionally known as a bachelor's party (groom) and a bachelorette's party or bridal shower (bride) Similar to this, in Holland, families plan parties prior to the wedding. After many American weddings, rice is thrown when the newlyweds walk out of the worship center. This is done as a wish for good fortune and children, for rice was once the symbol of fertility, happiness and long life. In Italy, confetti (sugared almonds) is tossed. In Romania, guests toss sweets and nuts at the new couple to wish them prosperity.

References:
http://www.wedding-ireland.com/customs.htm

http://www.weddingbells.com/unitedstates/yqa/ethnictraditions.html

http://www.jmts.com/wedding/customs.htm

http://www.encarta.msn.com/index/conciseindex/37/0375X000.htm?z=1&pg=2&br=1