We’d be lying if we said we were wellversed on all of the traditions of various cultures so we found an incredible website – www.worldweddingtraditions.com – and did our research. What we found were some incredible traditions and ideas that could be incorporated in just about any ceremony!

In Argentina, a bridal party, as we know it, has never typically been part of the wedding ceremony. The mother of the groom and father of the bride walk the soon-to-be-married couple down the aisle and stand with them during the ceremony. This keeps the ceremony very family oriented, and it cuts out the potential stress of having to pick out bridesmaid dresses.

The people of Iceland take weddings very seriously. Engagements are often long to ensure the couple is not rushing into marriage. On the day of the ceremony, usually a Sunday, as the groom approaches the church, the church bells toll announcing his arrival. The groom arrives to the church fi rst, so he can wait there for his bride. How romantic would it be for the bride to be in another location and hear the church bells ring announcing the arrival of her soon to be husband?

Japan has many unique wedding ceremony traditions. One includes painting the bride in white from head to toe to show the gods her “maiden status”; she also wears a white kimono and an elaborate head piece. While the couple says their vows the families do not face the bride and groom, instead they turn and face each other. Before the couple is considered to be “united” they must drink nine cups of sake! Japanese tradition also includes karaoke at the reception…we bet the sake makes everyone sound better!

Have you ever made the comment that you “wear the pants” in your relationship? Well a Russian Orthodox ceremony has a fun and unique tradition that ends that discussion for good. The bride and groom have to race, yes race, to a special carpet where they will recite their vows. Whoever reaches the carpet fi rst is declared to be the head of the household. While sounding like great fun and an everlasting memory, with some of the wedding gowns and shoe styles out there, this could also be a dangerous tradition for a bride. In Mexico, it is a tradition for the bride and groom have a white ribbon or a rosary wrapped symbolically around their necks. This takes place during the vows to symbolize the joining together of bride and groom.

Many of the current traditions we deem popular come from Western Europe. The tradition of the groom carrying his new bride over the threshold came from Western Europe and began because it was considered to be bad luck if the bride tripped while crossing the threshold. Having a best man started in Germany. It was tradition for the groom to kidnap his bride, and he needed the help of his strongest friend, his best man. And gentlemen, you have King Maximilian of Rome to thank for needing to buy a diamond engagement ring. In the year 1477, over six hundred years after the fi rst engagement ring, which was typically a gold band; King Maximilian was the fi rst to include a diamond on the engagement ring. Ever since, the tradition has held, and I think us ladies are okay with that.