The Meaning Behind Tapping Glasses At Weddings

Tapping a glass at a wedding is a signal for the couple to kiss. The tradition is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages, when it was believed that alcoholic drinks contained spirits or demons, and the clinking of glasses was thought to drive them out. Another theory suggests that the custom began as a way for hosts to prove to their guests that their wine was not poisoned.

The tradition's origin

The tradition of tapping a glass at a wedding originates from the Middle Ages. Back then, people believed that any alcoholic drink contained actual 'spirits', such as the ''demon' in 'demon rum', which would inhabit the drinker's body and cause them to act strangely. It was thought that bells and other sounds could drive these spirits away, so guests would tap their glasses to drive away any spirits from the alcohol, making it safe to drink. This belief has evolved into a symbol of trust, honesty, and a toast to good health.

Another explanation for the tradition is that during medieval times, wine was often suspected of being poisoned. To show that a drink was safe, a host would pour some of a guest's wine into their own glass and drink it first. If the guests trusted the host, they would tap their glasses in response to being offered a sample.

Today, the tradition of tapping glasses at weddings is often associated with prompting the newlyweds to share a kiss. However, it can also signal that someone is about to make a toast. While some couples still embrace this tradition, others are opting for more personalised alternatives to signal kissing.

Alternatives to glass-clinking

Tapping a glass at a wedding is a signal for the couple to kiss. This tradition is said to have originated in the Middle Ages when people believed that alcoholic drinks contained spirits or demons. The clinking of glasses was thought to drive out these spirits and make the drink safe for consumption.

While this tradition is still practised, many couples are opting for more personalised alternatives. Here are some creative alternatives to glass-clinking:

• Singing a song with "love" in it: Guests who want the couple to kiss must stand and sing a song with the word "love" in it. This can be made more challenging by requiring only a snippet of the song to be sung, with the couple kissing once they hear the word "love".
• Lip Sync for a Kiss: Inspired by RuPaul's Drag Race, guests must lip-sync for the couple to kiss. This can be made more interactive by having guests lip-sync to a song chosen by the DJ or band.
• Demonstrate the Kiss: Guests demonstrate the type of kiss they want the couple to replicate. This can lead to creative and humorous kisses, providing entertainment for everyone.
• Trivia or Quiz Games: Guests must answer trivia questions about the couple or play a general knowledge quiz. If they answer correctly, the couple kisses. This can be made more challenging by requiring guests to answer a certain number of questions correctly before a kiss is granted.
• Donation Basket or Kiss for Charity: Instead of clinking glasses, guests make a donation to a good cause or charity chosen by the couple. The bigger the donation, the longer or more passionate the kiss. This alternative adds a thoughtful element to the celebration while also reducing interruptions during dinner.
• Ring a Bell: Bells are provided to guests, and ringing a bell indicates a request for the couple to kiss. This alternative is especially suitable if you are using bell favours or have a bell theme at your wedding.
• Kiss by Example: Guests come to the dance floor with a partner and kiss in a way they want the couple to imitate. This can lead to creative and fun kisses, providing entertainment for everyone. However, this option may be better suited for more extroverted couples and guests.
• Sports Physical Challenge: For sports-themed weddings, a simple sports challenge such as putt-putt golf or a mini basketball hoop can be set up. If a guest completes the challenge, the couple kisses. This option adds an element of fun and friendly competition to the celebration.

How to politely decline

Tapping a glass at a wedding is a signal for the couple to kiss. This tradition is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages when people believed alcoholic drinks contained 'spirits' or 'demons' that would inhabit the drinker's body and cause them to act out of character. The clinking of glasses was thought to drive these spirits out, making the drink safe to consume.

Today, this tradition is often considered annoying, rude, or tacky, and many couples choose to opt-out or offer alternative ways for guests to signal for a kiss. If you are a guest at a wedding and would like to politely decline to tap your glass, here are some suggestions:

• Ignore the tradition and don't participate in glass-tapping or any alternative activities.
• Suggest or provide quieter alternatives, such as ringing bells.
• Participate in alternative activities that don't involve glass-tapping, such as sharing a story about the couple or trivia games.
• Propose a donation basket where guests can contribute to a good cause instead of tapping glasses.
• If you are close to the couple, communicate your discomfort with the tradition directly and suggest alternative ways to show your support and celebration.
• Offer to contribute to pre-wedding festivities like the bachelorette party or bridal shower if you are unable to attend the wedding.

The role of the DJ

The DJ plays a crucial role in facilitating the activities that are meant to replace glass tapping. The DJ can be the Master of Ceremonies (MC) and make announcements to the guests about the activities that the couple has chosen to replace glass tapping. For example, the DJ can explain the rules of the games and keep the guests entertained throughout the night.

The DJ can also be in charge of the music that accompanies the activities. For instance, if the couple has chosen a game where guests have to sing a song with the word "love" in it, the DJ can play the song in the background. The DJ can also be in charge of picking the songs for guests to lip-sync to, if that is the activity the couple has chosen.

Additionally, the DJ can be in charge of calling out couples from the guest list to kiss, if the couple has chosen an activity where the attention is taken away from them and put on other couples.

The DJ can also be in charge of providing the equipment needed for certain activities, such as a microphone for guests to share stories about the couple or a cork board and cards for guests to draw activities from.

Overall, the DJ plays an important role in ensuring the activities run smoothly and that the guests are entertained throughout the night.

Games and activities

Tapping a glass at a wedding is a signal for the couple to kiss. This tradition is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages, when it was believed that alcoholic drinks contained spirits or demons. The clinking of glasses was thought to drive out these spirits, making the drink safe to consume.

Stories

Guests must tell a story or a joke to prompt a kiss from the couple. This can be a story about the couple, or about themselves. The couple can decide whether they want to kiss after each story, or only if the story makes them laugh.

Honeymoon Cash

Guests put money in a jar on the head table. Each dollar amount corresponds to a different type of kiss. For example, $1 could be a peck on the cheek, $5 a peck on the lips, and so on.

Donations

Similar to Honeymoon Cash, but with a charitable twist. All proceeds go to the charity of the couple's choice.

Pass the Kiss

For the first few taps, the couple kisses. After that, they call out other couples who must kiss instead. This can be directed at guests, or members of the wedding party.

Bells

Instead of tapping glasses, guests ring bells to prompt a kiss. This is thought to be luckier than the traditional glass-tapping.

Kiss by Example

Guests come to the head table and demonstrate how they want the couple to kiss. The couple then tries to replicate the kiss.

Bag Toss

Guests throw a bag at a special board, divided into quadrants. Each quadrant represents a different couple who must kiss if the bag lands in their section.

Oversized Dice

Guests roll a dice, and if they get a 4 or above, the couple kisses. If they roll a lower number, the roller must kiss another guest.

Song Guessing

A guest requests a mystery song from the DJ. If they can guess the song correctly after hearing a snippet, the couple kisses. If not, the guest must kiss someone else.

Trivia

A guest answers a question about the couple. If they get it right, the couple kisses. If they get it wrong, they kiss someone else.

Pop the Balloon

Guests throw darts at a board of balloons. Each balloon contains different instructions, such as 'kiss your date', 'all guests kiss', or 'dance the macarena'.

Wheel Spin

Similar to Pop the Balloon, but without the darts. Guests spin a wheel and carry out the corresponding instruction.

Hershey Kiss

Guests pick a Hershey Kiss from a bowl without using their hands. One colour prompts a kiss from the couple, while the other colour means the picker must kiss someone else.

Lip Syncing

The DJ or band chooses a song for a guest to lip sync. If the audience likes the performance, the couple kisses.

The Donation Basket

Guests make a donation to a good cause, and the bigger the donation, the bigger the kiss!

Frequently asked questions