Wedding Traditions by CyperusGreetings.com

Arranged marriages occur in Nepal and its also common practice for teenagers to be married at a young age. The local priest acts as the matchmaker he arranges boys and girls of similar family backgrounds to be paired of together. Arranged marriages are normally organized by the parents of the children. The young adults can disapprove of an arrangement. In some situations the matched couple doesn’t actually meet each other until the wedding day.

Originally Sri Lankan weddings were based on local customs but since British rule, weddings have taken on a more western influence. The legal registration of marriage has become very important and it normally takes place before the traditional wedding ceremony. The registration normally takes place at the bride’s house. Traditionally the bride would wear a traditional costume but these days the bride and groom wear more western style clothing. The rings are exchanged and they sign the marriage documents in front of the registrar.

Afghan wedding celebrations are traditionally large events occurring in the evening and lasting until the early hours of the morning with much dancing and eating occurring. When the bride enters the room she is flanked by an entourage of ladies who are dressed just as regally as the bride. The event is similar to that of a queen entering the room as everyone stands and admires the bride. For good luck and happiness the Koran is passed over their heads and henna is painted on their palms.

A Burmese marriage traditionally doesn’t require a ceremony. The marriage is simply recognized when the man’s sarong is hung from a rail of the couple’s house or if they eat from the same plate. Dowries are not exchanged and arranged marriages are uncommon practice in Burma.

The wedding celebration in Laos begins with the engagement ceremony which is held on a day deemed auspicious by an elder of the village. The elder sets the date by combining the time and day of birth of the bride and groom and the Lao Buddhist calendar. For the young man to become engaged he must present the bride’s house with a khan ha, this represents that his family are good people, and that he wants to become part of their family.

At Cambodian weddings it’s traditional for the guests to be quite animated during the ceremony, with the elders of the community explaining the significance of various customs to the younger generation. Guests also move freely around the room, with some of them leaving the ceremony to stretch their legs.

At Bohemian weddings it’s traditional for the bride and groom to give specific wedding presents. The groom gives his bride a rosary, a fur hat, a prayer book and a customary wedding ring. The bride gives her groom a shirt which has been sewn with gold thread and colorful silks along with the wedding band. During the ceremony to keep the marriage free of evil spirits the best man covers the groom with the bride’s cloak.

It’s tradition in Samoa for the bride’s gown to be made out of tapa cloth, which is obtained from mulberry bark. The bride also wears fresh flowers and a mother-of-pearl crown.

It’s Fijian wedding tradition for the man to ask the girl’s father for her hand in marriage. He also brings her father a gift, usually a whale tooth which symbolizes status and wealth. If the girl’s father approves of the marriage the young man then cooks a lavish feast and sends it to the bride’s family. Just before the wedding it’s a Fijian tradition for bride to be tattooed, which is a sign of beauty on the islands.

Typically, curried goat and white rice is served to guests of a West Indian wedding reception. Traditionally, a white table cloth is used to hide the rum-flavored wedding cake away from guests. Guests pay a fee to take a lucky peek of the cake, with the money collected going towards the newlywed’s new life together.