European Wedding Tradition

Different traditions are followed in Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Some of the age old unique Western European wedding traditions are the concept of engagement ring. Usually a diamond engagement ring marks the wedding ceremony and is considered to be a girl's best friend. In Italy however the concept of gold engagement ring became quite famous and popular. The concept of first wedding cake was also initiated in Italy and traditionally the cake or bread was broken over the girl's head to secure fertility.

In traditional European weddings the concept of choosing a Best Man begun in Germany. It was believed that in olden times the groom was sometimes required to kidnap her bride and for that he would require a strong man who would help him to kidnap her bride and confront any relative who wanted to take her back. Even today the Best Man is chosen by the groom who would accompany him for his wedding venue.

In England however the nursery rhyme concept about something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue plays a vital role in traditional weddings. The old item of grandmother like a scarf or a old piece of jewelry was presented to the bride as a symbol of continuity. Something new signifies hope for the future and so the couple is gifted with a piece of new clothing or the wedding band. Something borrowed items are usually taken from a happily married couple from the girl's side as a symbol of ever lasting life. Finally something blue signifies purity and both the bride and the groom are required to wear a blue band around the bottom of their wedding attire.

The white wedding gown is mandatory for European wedding; it is a symbol of joy and prosperity. In traditional Western European wedding it is a custom to type shoes at the back of the bride's and groom's car as a symbol of good fortune. It is also mandatory for every groom to wear a flower from his bride's boutique for the wedding ceremony. The couples exchange rings, takes the oath in the church and pledge to each other. Finally after the wedding the groom carries her newly wed bride across the threshold of their house. It is considered to be a bad omen if the girl is allowed to cross it over individually.

In Eastern European countries the wedding traditions are quite unique and interesting. Every tradition followed symbolizes fertility, prosperity and happiness. In Czechoslovakia for instance the bride's friend usually plants a tree in her yard just the day before wedding and decorate with ribbons and brightly painted egg shells.

The belief is that the bride would live successfully and happily as long as the tree. Traditionally just after wedding an infant is placed on top of the bed of the couple as a symbol of fertility. In Eastern European wedding traditions the newly weds break plates and more pieces the plates broke into it is believed more successful their wedding would be.

In Hungary the new bride is made to wear an elaborate wedding hairdresser made out of woven strands of wheat at the day of the wedding as a symbol of fertility. Traditionally the new bride is offered an egg which she smashes to the ground to insecure the health of their future children. The new bride also presents her husband with a gift of seven scarves symbolizing a happy marriage.

In traditional Poland wedding the parents offer the newly wed couples with rye bread sprinkled with salt and a glass of wine. Rye bread symbolizing abundant food, salt as the difficulties of life which they should overcome and wine as a symbol of happiness and prosperity.

In Bulgaria it is believed that the couples should enter the church with their right foot first. The groom's mother feed the couples with honey cakes to secure everlasting happiness.

In Croatia the guests circle the young couple in the church three times to signify the Holy Trinity and throws apples in the air as a symbol of fertility for the young couple.

Apart from these traditional customs songs, dance, music, marks the celebration of weddings.

Travour.com describes and provides information on the wedding traditions of European and around the world.

Here are some Wedding Traditions performed around the world