In ancient Rome, brides wore bright yellow veils to symbolize fire and warmth. In traditional Maasai weddings in Kenya, the father blesses the bride by spitting on her head and chest. Queen Victoria started the white wedding dress trend in 1840; before that, brides just wore their best dress.

In South Korea, the groom's friends sometimes beat his feet with fish before the wedding—it’s supposed to make him stronger. The word “bride” comes from the Old English “bryd,” meaning “to cook” or “make ready.” In Russia, grooms sometimes have to “pay a ransom” to the bride’s family with jokes, songs, or money before they can see her.

Some Filipino couples release doves after their ceremony to symbolize peace and a harmonious marriage. In Congo, it’s considered rude for the bride and groom to smile during the wedding—they must take it very seriously. In Hindu weddings, the couple walks around a sacred fire seven times to seal their vows.

A Swedish bride carries coins in her shoes—one from each parent—to ensure she'll never go without. In German weddings, guests bring porcelain to smash before the big day; the couple cleans it up together as a teamwork exercise. The bouquet toss comes from an old tradition where guests tried to rip pieces of the bride’s dress for good luck.

In some Nigerian weddings, the groom must search the crowd and pick out the bride while she's disguised among women. The veil has origins in ancient times as a way to protect the bride from evil spirits. Western weddings often have a ring bearer, but in some cultures, the bride and groom exchange garlands instead of rings.

In Japan, traditional Shinto weddings include sake-sharing rituals between the bride and groom to bond their souls. A Moroccan bride might sit on a decorated throne during her wedding ceremony and change outfits several times. In Irish folklore, tying bells to the bride’s dress was believed to keep bad spirits away.

In ancient Sparta, brides shaved their heads and wore men’s clothing to start married life. Brides in India often have intricate henna patterns painted on their hands and feet—some hide the groom’s name within. Scottish grooms may be subjected to a messy “blackening,” where friends cover them with soot, flour, and feathers.

In Jewish weddings, the groom traditionally breaks a glass with his foot to remember the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. During Vietnamese weddings, the bride and groom serve tea to their elders to show respect. Some Norwegians wear crowns during the wedding, and the tinkling sound wards off evil spirits.

In the Philippines, couples release butterflies during the ceremony to symbolize new beginnings. A Polish tradition involves parents welcoming the bride and groom with bread, salt, and vodka at the reception. In Hungary, guests put money in the bride’s shoes to dance with her—it's a playful way to support the couple.

In France, newlyweds used to drink wine from a toilet bowl (thankfully, a clean one) to bond as husband and wife. In Zulu weddings, the bride often wears traditional red and white beads and carries a small shield. Greek brides might tuck a sugar cube into their glove to "sweeten" their new life.

The phrase "tying the knot" comes from ancient handfasting rituals, where couples' hands were literally tied together. Brides in Finland were once carried door to door to collect wedding gifts—like a bridal parade. In Italian tradition, the bride and groom might smash a glass or vase—however many pieces it breaks into means years of happiness.

In Mexico, guests form a “la víbora de la mar” (sea snake) dance around the couple, sometimes knocking them around playfully. The Mayan civilization believed marriage bonded not just individuals but families and communities. In some U.S. southern weddings, burying a bottle of bourbon at the venue is supposed to bring good weather.

A Welsh love spoon, hand-carved by the groom, was a token of serious intention to propose. In Bali, the bride and groom have their teeth filed in a ceremony meant to ward off evil and reduce worldly desires. During Sudanese weddings, entire communities might help build the couple's first home.

In Bhutan, love songs are exchanged as part of courtship before the wedding takes place. In parts of the Middle East, a zaffa—a musical wedding procession—announces the arrival of the bride and groom. In Brazil, brides often wear colorful shoes under their dresses as a quirky fashion statement.

In Malaysia, henna night includes blessings from family, and the bride and groom wear matching traditional outfits. Hungarian weddings include a "bride kidnapping" where guests pretend to take her until the groom “rescues” her. In South Africa, families light a unity fire from the flames of both households to represent blending traditions.

In the 1800s, American brides sometimes wore black wedding dresses, especially in rural areas. In Denmark, guests might cut the groom’s tie and the bride’s veil into little pieces to share good luck. Egyptian brides may be pinched by guests to pass along happiness and fertility.

In Tonga, weddings often include entire villages, with guests offering handcrafted mats and tapa cloths. Ukrainian brides wear flower crowns called "vinok" as a symbol of purity and youth. The phrase “honeymoon” comes from drinking mead (honey wine) for a month after the wedding.

Brides in Laos might be sprinkled with flower petals and water to bless the union. In Bulgaria, the bride and groom might stomp on bread to decide who will be "the boss" at home. In Iceland, weddings often take place outdoors—even in the cold—for the dramatic scenery.

In Australia, sand ceremonies are popular—bride and groom pour colored sand together to show unity. Mongolian couples might kill a chicken together to read its liver and choose a wedding date. In the Netherlands, a wedding "wish tree" replaces a guest book—guests write notes and hang them from the branches.

In the U.S., more couples are choosing to write their own vows for a personal touch. Some modern weddings skip flowers and go for eco-friendly paper bouquets. The bride and groom’s first dance remains one of the most anticipated highlights of the celebration.