Wedding Romance: Making Out At The Altar

While weddings are a sacred occasion, they are also a time for celebration. And with celebration comes a whole lot of love, laughter, and, yes, sometimes, making out. It's a day when emotions are running high, and guests are swept up in the romance of it all. But is it ever appropriate to lock lips at someone else's wedding? Well, that depends on a few factors. Firstly, it's important to consider the setting. A quick peck on the dance floor is likely to be met with warm encouragement from onlookers. However, a full-on make-out session during the ceremony might be considered a little disrespectful to the happy couple. Secondly, context is key. If you're a guest at your ex's wedding, a passionate embrace might cause an unnecessary stir. And finally, it's worth remembering that weddings tend to bring out the booze, and with it, a loss of inhibitions. So, while a little PDA is to be expected, try to keep things classy and avoid any moves you wouldn't want to explain to your grandma.

Traditions and customs in weddings vary across cultures, ethnicities, religions, and countries

Traditions and customs in weddings vary significantly across cultures, ethnicities, religions, and countries. While weddings in one part of the world might be loud, vibrant, and filled with music and dance, others might be more subdued and steeped in ritual. Here are some examples of how wedding traditions differ around the world:

Armenia

Armenian weddings are grand affairs focused on family. The family is involved from the onset, often taking part in the proposal, which takes place at the bride's family home. Throughout the rest of the wedding, the family remains central to the celebration.

Black and African-American

Black and African-American weddings are steeped in rich traditions and often include a mix of customs with African roots and those that honour the history of perseverance of their forebears. Two notable traditions are "jumping the broom", where the couple jumps over a broom at the end of the wedding ceremony, and the libation ceremony, which involves a ritualistic pouring of liquid to honour ancestors.

Cambodia

Cambodian and Khmer weddings are rich with cultural influences. Most weddings in Cambodia are Buddhist and last three days. One notable tradition is known as Gaat Sah, where a few strands of hair are cut from the couple's heads to symbolise saying goodbye to their old life and embracing their new marriage.

Catholic

Weddings in the Catholic Church are very structured, liturgical events. Holy Communion and the recitation of The Lord's Prayer are two important elements of a traditional wedding mass.

China

Many cultural wedding traditions practised at Chinese weddings revolve around bringing good luck to the couple and paying honour and respect to elders. The colour red and the double happiness symbol are considered auspicious and are generally used throughout the wedding. Another tradition is the tea ceremony, where the couple serves tea to their parents as a sign of honour and respect.

Colombia

Dancing is a central part of traditional Colombian weddings. La Hora Loca, or "the crazy hour", is a festive time of revelry that typically takes place. Another Colombian wedding tradition is the use of Mantilla veils, which are a typical element of Colombian wedding dress.

Congo

In Congolese weddings, the couple is not allowed to smile throughout the entire wedding day, as grinning is considered evidence that they are not serious about marriage.

Cuba

Following changes during the Castro regime, many traditional Cuban weddings integrate few religious elements. Cuban weddings are known for their delicious food, including rum drinks and dulce de leche desserts.

Eastern Europe

Many Eastern European countries are predominantly Orthodox and generally incorporate traditions inspired by the Orthodox Church. While weddings are usually joyous occasions, Eastern European cultural weddings often focus on the somber side of aging and entering adulthood.

Ethiopia

Ethiopian weddings are incredibly diverse, but there are some rituals that are often associated with Ethiopian wedding culture. One notable tradition is the shimagelay, a blessing of the betrothal that may take place on the morning of the wedding. On the day after the wedding, the bride's family usually hosts the Melse, a smaller celebration with close friends and family.

France

In France, many couples choose to have two wedding ceremonies: a civil ceremony and a religious one. However, only civil weddings are legally recognised. Traditionally, the wedding guests would gather at the fiancée's home and go to the church in a procession, led by the bridegroom and his mother. Nowadays, the guests usually gather at the town hall or church, and the bride and groom enter together.

Germany

German weddings are known for a variety of distinct rituals. One tradition is Polterabend, which takes place the night before the wedding, where people break porcelain as a raucous yet celebratory way of ushering in the big day. Another tradition is Baumstamm sägen, where the couple saws through a log together to showcase their teamwork.

Ghana

Ghanaian wedding traditions often include lots of gift-giving and an upbeat money dance during the wedding reception.

Greece

Greek weddings often follow the rituals set forth by the Greek Orthodox Church. The wedding ceremony includes the crowning of the couple and the sharing of wine from a common cup. After the ceremony, there is usually a great wedding party with plenty of food, drinks, music, and dance.

Hawaii

Traditional Hawaiian weddings often begin with the blowing of the pū, a conch shell horn, to start the wedding. The couple also often exchanges leis and participates in pili ā nai kealoha, a ritual where their hands are tied together by the officiant.

India

In India, the majority of weddings are Hindu, but non-Hindu Indian weddings will often still feature things like mandaps and the inclusion of turmeric. One notable tradition is the mehndi party, a pre-wedding event where the bride and bridal party get henna applied to their skin in intricate designs. Another tradition is for the bride to marry a tree first if she was born during a certain astrological period, after which the tree is cut down to break the supposed curse of early widowhood.

Ireland

Brides in Ireland traditionally wore blue wedding dresses as a symbol of purity. Another tradition is to carry a horseshoe down the aisle, which is displayed as a symbol of good luck. Handfasting is another ritual sometimes included in Irish weddings, where the couple's hands are bound together as a symbol of their union.

Italy

In some parts of Italy, the groom throws a party called a Serenade outside the bride's home, where he serenades her to further seduce her. Green is considered a very important colour in Italian weddings, bringing good luck to the married couple.

Japan

Japanese weddings fall into two categories: traditional Shinto ceremonies and modern Western-style ceremonies. In traditional Japanese weddings, the bride wears white from head to toe, including a hood called a tsunokakushi, which hides her 'horns of jealousy'.

Lebanon

Lebanese weddings begin with the Zaffe, a rowdy celebration at both the bride's and groom's homes that includes music, belly

A wedding ceremony is followed by a reception, first dance, and cake cutting

A wedding ceremony is a special event where two people are united in marriage. The ceremony is often followed by a reception, first dance, and cake cutting.

The Wedding Reception

The wedding reception is a time for the newlyweds to celebrate with their guests and thank them for their attendance. It is usually held immediately after the wedding ceremony and can range from a simple gathering to a grand celebration, depending on the couple's preferences and cultural traditions. During the reception, guests are typically offered food, drinks, and entertainment.

The First Dance

The first dance is a romantic tradition where the newlyweds share their first dance as a married couple. It is a symbolic moment that represents the couple's love and commitment to each other. The first dance usually takes place after the newlyweds are introduced for the first time as a married couple.

Cake Cutting

The cake cutting ceremony is a long-standing tradition that symbolizes the couple's commitment to providing for each other and their guests. The newlyweds cut the first slice of the cake together, and it is often followed by feeding each other a bite, symbolizing their unity and mutual support.

These traditions are just a few of the many special moments that make a wedding ceremony memorable and meaningful. Each culture and couple may have their unique traditions and rituals, but the common thread is the celebration of love and the beginning of a new life together.

A wedding ceremony involves vows, gifts, and a proclamation of marriage

A wedding ceremony is a celebration of the union of two people in marriage. Wedding traditions vary across the world, but there are some common elements. A wedding ceremony involves vows, gifts, and a proclamation of marriage.

Vows

The exchange of marriage vows is a key part of the wedding ceremony. In a traditional wedding, the couple will recite their vows to each other, often with the groom placing a ring on the bride's finger as a symbol of their marriage. In some cultures, such as Hindu weddings, the couple takes seven steps together, symbolizing the basis of their marriage. In Catholic weddings, the vows are set and cannot be personalized.

Gifts

Gifts are also an integral part of wedding ceremonies and can take various forms. In Western cultures, gifts may include rings, flowers, or money. In other cultures, gifts may be more symbolic. For example, in Chinese weddings, the couple may participate in a tea ceremony, where they serve tea to their parents and receive gifts in return. In some cultures, cash gifts are common, with guests aiming to cover the cost of their attendance.

Proclamation of Marriage

The proclamation of marriage is the moment when the couple is officially declared married. This is often done by an authority figure, such as a priest or celebrant, and is followed by the couple's first kiss as a married couple. In Jewish weddings, the groom breaks a glass to symbolize the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and guests shout "Mazel Tov!" to congratulate the newlyweds.

While the specifics of wedding ceremonies vary, the common elements of vows, gifts, and the proclamation of marriage unite couples and their communities in celebration.

Wedding attire varies across cultures, with some adopting the Western custom of a white wedding dress

In other parts of the world, brides wear a variety of colours, including red, orange, and even black. In China, for example, red symbolises good luck, happiness, and joy, so brides often wear red paired with gold jewellery. In India, red symbolises love, commitment, and strength, and is a popular colour choice among brides. However, in some cultures, such as Indian culture, white is a cultural sign of mourning and is therefore avoided.

In addition to colour, the style and fabric of wedding attire also vary across cultures. In China, brides traditionally wear a cheongsam or qipao, a silk dress with a mandarin collar. In Vietnam, brides wear an áo dài, a tunic with long sleeves and side slits, paired with loose pants underneath. In Nigeria, with its diverse tribes and traditions, bridal attire can range from loosely fitting blouses and wrap-around skirts to tops and decorative wrappers. In Peru, while some brides opt for Western-style white gowns, others wear polleras, colourful and multi-layered woollen skirts, with wide hats adorned with cloth tassels and reflective materials.

The average amount spent on a wedding gift differs across countries

The amount of money spent on a wedding gift varies across countries and cultures, and there are many factors that influence the amount spent. Firstly, the relationship with the couple plays a significant role. Close friends and family members are often expected to spend more on a wedding gift than mere acquaintances or distant relatives. For example, according to Zola, friends or relatives should spend between $75 to $100, while close friends and family members may spend $100 to $150 or more. Similarly, the wedding gift amount may also depend on the role played by the guest in the wedding. If a guest has already invested time and money into planning events like the bridal shower or bachelorette party, they might spend less on the wedding gift itself.

Another factor that influences the wedding gift amount is the guest's budget and financial status. Wedding experts generally advise starting cash gifts at $100, but guests can adjust the amount upwards or downwards depending on their budget. For instance, if a guest is attending multiple weddings in a season, they might have to set a specific budget for each wedding, including pre-wedding events, travel, and accommodations. Additionally, the cost of attendance at the wedding can also be a factor. Traditional etiquette suggests that the wedding gift should be enough to cover the cost of the guest's meal at the reception, which could range from $50 to $100 per person.

It is worth noting that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to wedding gift amounts, and cultural norms and expectations may vary across countries. While cash gifts are common in some cultures, others may prefer traditional wedding gifts or contribute to a honeymoon fund. Ultimately, the decision on how much to spend on a wedding gift depends on the guest's relationship with the couple, their budget, and cultural considerations.

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