There are many unusual wedding traditions around the world, and here are 10 of the most interesting (and probably best forgotten) ones:
Blackening of the Bride and Groom - In Scotland, it's customary for the friends and family of the bride and groom to cover them in molasses, flour, feathers, and other disgusting things before parading them through town.
Crying Wedding - In China's Tujia community, the bride is required to cry for an hour every day for a month leading up to the wedding. After 10 days, her mother joins in, and after another 10 days, her grandmother joins in.
Spitting on the Bride - In Kenya's Maasai tribe, it's customary for the father of the bride to spit on her face and chest as a way of wishing her good luck and fortune.
Breaking of the Plates - In Greece, the bride and groom smash plates on the ground during the reception as a way of warding off evil spirits.
Mass Wedding - In South Korea, it's common for hundreds or even thousands of couples to get married at the same time in a mass wedding ceremony.
Kidnapping of the Bride - In Romania, the groom must "kidnap" his bride before the wedding, often with the help of his friends. The bride's family will then "rescue" her and demand a ransom, usually in the form of alcohol.
Spousal Flagellation - In some African tribes, it's customary for the groom to be whipped or beaten by his future mother-in-law as a way of testing his strength and courage.
Henna Tattooing - In India and some other countries, the bride's hands and feet are decorated with intricate henna tattoos as a way of warding off evil spirits.
Ring Stealing - In Sweden, it's customary for the bride and groom to steal each other's wedding rings during the ceremony. The first one to put the ring back on wins.
Money Dance - In some countries, including the Philippines and Poland, guests at the reception will pin money onto the bride and groom as they dance, as a way of wishing them good luck and prosperity.
Well, it was just a thought....
