Weddings from around the world

By Laura Warby, 11/12/09 The wedding ceremony 0 comments

Ever wondered what a Gypsy wedding involves? How a Protestant wedding different from a Catholic wedding? Here you will find a quick summary of various different ceremony types from around the world...

Although there are a multitude of different wedding types, ceremonies and traditions, they all have one thing in common, that being the union of two people...

Catholic wedding
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a holy sacrament, which is an everlasting commitment and one that cannot be broken. The ceremony is carried out in the presence of a priest and the community. Once the vows are recited and the couple exchange rings, they leave the church with the wedding guests in order to celebrate the ‘wedding breakfast’, the first meal that the couple share as a married couple.

Protestant weddings
Although slight differences do exist between the different Protestant churches, there is a general consensus that the marriage is not considered as being sacred, unlike the beliefs of the Catholic Church. The ceremony, whilst holding religious aspects, is not as religiously strict as a catholic ceremony and often is treated more as a civil union of the couple.

Orthodox Weddings
The orthodox wedding is similar to a catholic wedding. There are however distinct differences; after exchanging a bouquet of flowers, the wedding ceremony begins, during which the best man presents each of the couple with a ring and crown. The couple then drink red wine from the same glass and leave the church as the wedding guests throw rice and flowers over the couple to represent fertility and happiness.

Hebrew weddings
The Hebrew ceremony is carried out by a Rabbi and is made up of two parts; the betrothal (erusin) and the act of marriage (nissu’in). Firstly, the couple must sign a Ketuba which is a marriage contract stipulating the rights and responsibilities of the groom. Then the couple is led to the chuppah, a canopy of cloth stretched over 4 poles that symbolises the new home that will be built together by the couple. Here the ketuba and other blessings are read out and the groom presents the bride with a ring. At the end of the ceremony, a glass is broken whist the guests shout "Mazel Tov,". The breaking of the glass serves as a symbol of joys and sorrows.

Hindu Weddings
There are 8 different types of Hindu weddings; Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Gandharva, Asura, Rakshasa and Paishacha. Each consists of its own customs and rituals carried out by the family members. The ceremony normally lasts for a number of days and is characterized by an array of colours.

Buddhist Weddings
Although Buddhism teaches that marriage should not be taken lightly, it neither encourages marriage nor discourages it. It is not based on religion but spirituality and teaches how the couple can live a happily married life together. The ceremony requires the couple to sit in ‘wai’ (a position of respect) whilst they are blessed by the priest. The couple then must make an offering of food to both the Buddha and the monks.

Oriental weddings
Oriental weddings are usually unostentatious and are characterised by the colour red, believed to represent love, prosperity and happiness. It is tradition that the families of the couple exchange gifts with one another a number of days before the wedding celebration.

Gypsy Weddings
A Gypsy wedding normally last three days. The first day, in the city council buildings, involves a test of the bride’s virginity (the test of the handkerchief and 3 roses). The second day is for the wedding ceremony, reception and other traditions and the third day starts early in the morning with the ‘Fiesta de la Sardina’. This ‘fiesta’ is a party attended by everyone: friends and family alike. On the fourth day, the newly married couple leave for their honey moon.

Weddings from around the world

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