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Love is universal, but wedding traditions vary by culture—and it’s beautiful!
Whether it’s grand entrances on a white horse or cords that represent infinity, culturally significant traditions help make weddings extra special. They bring families and friends together on these happy days.
Keep reading to join us on a trip around the globe as we explore some amazing wedding traditions and highlight a venue perfect for hosting weddings of all kinds!
During a Jewish wedding ceremony, the bride and groom stand underneath a wedding canopy known as the chuppah. The square cloth is made of silk and velvet or velvet, and is usually held up by four men via poles. The name translates to “covering,” and symbolizes the new home to which the groom will take his bride.
Another one of the Jewish wedding traditions you’ll see at ceremonies is “circling.” Known as “hakafot” in Hebrew, it involves the bride circling around the groom under the chuppah seven times. Seven symbolizes completeness and perfection in Jewish scripture.
During Filipino weddings, an infinity-shaped ceremonial cord—known as a yugal—is wrapped around the couple in the pattern of an eight to symbolize eternal fidelity. The mother of the bride is assigned the role of weaving the cord.
The “money dance” is another popular Filipino wedding tradition you may have heard about. This happens during the reception. As the couple dances with each other, wedding guests will line up to pin paper bills on their clothes as a show of good fortune.
This happens at the wedding reception, and sees the bride and groom marching to traditional Scottish music. Eventually, as it goes on, many couples are then joined by the maid of honour and best man, their in-laws, and their guests—in that order!
Scottish traditions often involve wishing the bride good luck in her marriage. It’s not uncommon for a sprig of white heather to be hidden in the bride’s bouquet. A sixpence may also be placed in the bride’s shoes on the big day for good luck, too.
This common traditional practice involves the newlyweds serving tea to their parents, in-laws, and other familial elders as a sign of respect. It also symbolizes the union of the two families, and takes place on the actual wedding date at the bride’s house as well as the groom’s—both of whom will likely be dressed in traditional wedding garments.
Chinese wedding banquets typically either have eight or nine courses. In Mandarin, the sound of “eight” rhymes with the words for “to prosper,” “good luck,” and fertility. Meanwhile, the sound of “nine” rhymes with long life. As you might expect, this can lead to some wonderfully extravagant menus at Chinese weddings!
On a Greek Orthodox wedding day, Stefana crowns signify a couple being “crowned” the king and queen of their home by Christ. The priest will place the crowns—which are joined by a ribbon—on their heads, then they will exchange them three times.
According to Greek wedding traditions, placing a lump of sugar inside the bride’s glove will lead to a sweet life. Additionally, placing a gold coin in her shoes is supposed to bring the couple good fortune.
After the ceremony, one of the Italian wedding traditions you might see involves both the bride and the groom breaking a glass vase together. The number of fragments that it breaks into is supposed to indicate how many years they’ll be married.
In Italian culture, picking a wedding date should be done super carefully. Friday is considered bad luck, while Tuesday might lead to constant fights between the couple. A marriage ceremony that falls on a Sunday is viewed as lucky in a way that it will bring prosperity and fertility.
A Mandap is used as the altar for Jain and Hindu ceremonies. It is a traditional canopy with four pillars, each representing one of the couple’s parents. Typically, floral fixtures and bells are used to decorate this stage upon which the marriage happens.
The Baraat is truly a sight to behold—and to be photographed! It sees the groom, dressed in traditional Indian garb and surrounded by dancing friends and family members, travelling to the wedding venue on horseback, by elephant, or in a chariot or vintage car.
On the morning of the wedding, the groom will show up at the house of the bride’s parents. There, he’ll find the bride’s family and friends “holding her ransom.”
They ask him questions that he must answer correctly, while also paying the ransom in the form of monetary gifts that signify her worth. These may include money, but also Ukrainian vodka, candy, or other things of value.
Here’s one of the Ukrainian wedding traditions that’s incredibly unique. Instead of the wedding band being worn on the left ring finger, it’s worn on the right ring finger! This is true for both the groom’s hands as well as for the bride.
One of the popular Korean wedding traditions is wearing the colours blue and red. The bride will usually wear red, while the groom will don blue attire as an ode to the Confucian philosophy of yin and yang.
Blue, which is a yin colour, is meant to bring healing and relaxation. Red—a yang colour— exemplifies enthusiasm and energy. When these customary wedding colours are combined, they are symbolic of balanced energy.
Jeonanrye, or “presentation of the wild goose,” is an important part of a Korean wedding ceremony. As a symbol of commitment to the bride in ancient times, the groom would give a live goose to his in-laws as a gift. However, rather understandably, a wooden goose has become more common in modern times.
No matter what traditions are important to your celebration, rest assured The Loft on King is a venue that celebrates and caters to all weddings.
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, our venue will serve as the perfect backdrop as you incorporate valuable cultural elements into your ceremony. Featuring exposed brick and wooden roof beam architecture, it’s beautiful on its own—and yet flexible enough for you, your wedding planner, and our expert event team to turn into the fairytale scene you envision.
Contact our team for more booking details.
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