Bridesmaids: A Global Wedding Tradition?

Bridesmaids are a common feature of modern weddings in Western culture, but they are by no means obligatory, and many brides choose to forgo them. In Western weddings, bridesmaids are usually adult female attendants, often close friends, sisters, or cousins of the bride. However, in some European countries, such as Britain and Norway, bridesmaids are typically young girls or teenagers, with only one adult maid of honor to assist the bride.

The role of the bridesmaid varies depending on the bride and the type of wedding. In bigger weddings, there are usually more bridesmaids, and the tasks are divided among them. Some of the typical duties of a bridesmaid include booking appointments, writing invitations, helping the bride choose her dress, and preparing (and sometimes paying for) the bachelorette party.

While the tradition of bridesmaids originated in Western culture, other countries and cultures have adopted the practice and incorporated it into their wedding customs. For example, in Japan, a bride celebrating a traditional Shinto ceremony will be attended by several bridesmaids, who challenge the groom with a series of tests on the morning of the wedding day. In Nigeria, the bride is also accompanied by a group of girls during the traditional wedding ceremony.

In some countries, like Britain and Norway, bridesmaids are usually young girls or teenagers

In Norway, it has been customary for bridesmaids to be small girls rather than grown women. They may carry flowers during the wedding procession and pose with the married couple in bridal photos. In modern English-speaking countries, this role is separate from that of the bridesmaid, and the small child performing it is known as a flower girl.

In some cultures, like China, the bride's family hires a good luck woman to take care of the bride as she travels to her groom's house

In addition to the good luck woman, Chinese brides also have bridesmaids. In ancient China, bridesmaids were dressed like the bride to lower the risk of her being identified and kidnapped by rival clans. Today, the role of the bridesmaid is more symbolic.

In modern Chinese weddings, the bride usually wears a red dress, which is considered a symbol of good luck and happiness. The groom, on the other hand, wears a traditional long, figure-fitting Qi Pao. The bride's hair is usually tied up and secured with a decorative stick called a 'Tsai'.

Chinese wedding traditions are rooted in history and are followed to bring good luck and happiness to the newlyweds.

In Germany, wedding guests traditionally throw porcelain dishes on the ground to ward off evil spirits

In Germany, the wedding guests traditionally throw porcelain dishes on the ground to ward off evil spirits. This custom is called Polterabend, which involves the couple's friends and family gathering on the night before the wedding to break porcelain dishes, thereby bringing good luck to the couple's marriage. The belief that breaking dishes wards off evil spirits is rooted in a centuries-old superstition. According to one legend, breaking dishes can scare away evil spirits lurking around the happy couple. Another story claims that the shards of broken porcelain carry good wishes from the guests, offering protection to the newlyweds throughout their married life.

Polterabend is not just about breaking dishes; it is also a time for celebration and festivities. Guests often bring gifts, and there is plenty of food and drink. Metal objects such as tin cans and bottle tops may also be brought along, but glass is usually avoided as it symbolises happiness, and mirrors are not broken to prevent seven years of bad luck. After all the dishes are broken, the couple must clean up the shards together, symbolising their unity and the challenges they will face in their married life.

The origin of Polterabend is not precisely known, but it is believed to have come from Germanic tribes who threw shards to drive off evil spirits, or from the shattering of clay sacrificial altars as part of heathen rituals. Polterabend is commonly celebrated in Germany, western Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, and some rural areas in Brazil.

In addition to Polterabend, German weddings have many other unique and beautiful traditions. For instance, the father of the bride traditionally pays for the entire wedding, although nowadays, the costs are often shared between both families and the couple. German brides typically wear white dresses and veils, while grooms opt for formal suits in neutral colours. The first dance is usually a romantic waltz, and the wedding menu includes delicious dishes such as Hochzeitssuppe (wedding soup) and Hochzeitsnudeln (wedding noodles). German weddings truly showcase the importance of strong relationships and are a sight to behold!

In Armenia, the mother of the groom gives the newlyweds lavash flatbread and honey, which they eat to symbolise happiness

The role of the bridesmaid is a common feature of modern weddings, but they are not obligatory, and many brides choose to forgo this tradition. Bridesmaids are usually female attendants, often close friends, sisters, or cousins of the bride. In some European countries, like Britain and Norway, bridesmaids are usually young girls or teenagers, with just one adult maid of honour to help the bride with tasks during the wedding preparations. The maid of honour is the chief bridesmaid, to whom the bride will delegate the most important tasks. The other bridesmaids will be assigned various duties, such as booking appointments, writing invitations, helping the bride choose her dress, and preparing the bachelorette party.

The origin of the bridesmaid tradition is not entirely clear, but many believe it stems from Roman law, which stipulated that a marriage required ten witnesses to confuse any evil spirits and protect the couple. In Anglo-Saxon times, bridesmaids would accompany the bride on her journey from her village to that of her future spouse, protecting her from being kidnapped by suitors or those wishing to steal her dowry. Biblical references suggest that bridesmaids were originally handmaidens or servants to the bride and thus not her social peers or friends.

In the US, bridesmaids usually purchase their own dresses, whereas in Britain, the bride buys them

In the US, bridesmaids usually purchase their own dresses. This is because bridesmaids' dresses are often left to the choice of the individual, and no one wants to pay out for a dress that doesn't suit them. However, this was not always the case. Traditionally, the bride's family would pay for the dresses, but this has changed as bridesmaids have taken on more financial responsibility for pre-wedding events.

In Britain, the bride usually buys the dresses for her bridesmaids. This is because, in Britain, bridesmaids are usually young girls or teenagers, with just one adult maid of honor. In this case, it makes more sense for the bride or her family to cover the cost of the dresses.

In both countries, the bride designates important tasks to her maid of honor, who acts as the chief bridesmaid. In the US, the bridal party, including the maid of honor, precedes the bride, while in the UK, the bridal party follows the bride. In the US, bridesmaids usually stand with the bride throughout the ceremony, whereas in the UK, they sit.

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