Wedding ceremonies have been practised since roughly 2350 B.C., with many civilizations and religions adding their customs to the ritual, creating a world of exquisite memories. As of the 21st century, Area Rental reports that an estimated 115,000 weddings take place every day throughout the world.
Inspiration for lovely moments in ceremonies can be found by observing the variety of weddings and their customs, whether they involve wishing newlyweds luck or celebrating unity in unusual ways.
Read also: 5 Nigerian tribes with the longest, most expensive marriage list
Here are five longest wedding ceremonies with elaborate customs in the world:
Zulu weddings (South Africa)
The Zulu wedding is one of the longest wedding rituals, lasting up to eight hours. Families and newlyweds will meet several times, during which they will talk about their future together and pay respect to their ancestors. The bride must change into three unique outfits to demonstrate her beauty to her new husband’s family, as the ceremony is so spectacular that she cannot wear just one wedding garment.
Tradition demands that women and seniors be given the most importance. Marriages are started by women, and the groom is called last during the ritual. As a token of gratitude, dance and singing are also performed at Zulu marriages.
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United Kingdom Weddings
While many English counties may customarily support marriages performed in a church and followed by a reception, some counties may welcome other customs of their own. The average wedding day timeline lasts around 7 to 10 hours. That’s from the ceremony to any late-night activities, according to the Silver Service Singers.
The sand ceremony is a unique tradition associated with Northumbrian weddings. The engaged pair does this by filling a container with two different coloured grains of sand. This is a lovely ritual that was inspired by the stunning coastlines of Northumberland and represents their solidarity and affection for one another.
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Scotland has its own wedding customs, such as the stunning kilts with their distinctive tartan patterns that resemble homes. Specialised dances during the reception and traditions of bonding, including sipping from the quaich (this is a two-handled ‘loving cup’ that newlyweds use for their first toast together as a married couple), which represents faith in the marriage, are also included in certain weddings.
Chinese Weddings
Chinese wedding banquets are held in the evening. You can expect a lot of food and entertainment! Most banquets will last at least two hours and include an eight-course meal (sometimes more) of delicious entrees and desserts. Most traditional Chinese weddings are two days long.
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Weeping Ahead of the Wedding: Tujia brides from China elevate tears of happiness to a whole new level. The bride begins to cry for an hour every day, one month in advance. Her mother and grandmother come into the picture ten days into the waterworks and ten days after that, respectively. Every woman in the family is crying with the bride by the end of the month. The custom holds that the women’s varied, song-like tones of weeping are a sign of joy.
Another Chinese custom is that the bride usually wears a traditional qipao, also known as a cheongsam, which is a form-fitting, embroidered dress, when they walk down the aisle. They usually change into a more elaborate gown with a Western flair for the reception. However, the bridal fashion display is not over yet. Chinese brides frequently change into cocktail dresses as a last-minute adjustment to end the evening. Triple the fun, triple the dresses!
In another playful custom, Chinese bridesmaids tease the groom on the morning of the wedding by subjecting him (and perhaps his groomsmen) to a series of tasks and tests known as “wedding door games,” which are meant to demonstrate his suitability for the bride. Then he has to give the girls money envelopes as payment. That is the purpose of friends!
Shuwa Arab Weddings (West Africa)
The Shuwa Arabs are called “Baggara” by most people. This name, which relates to the Arab tribes in West Africa that rear cattle, originates from the Arabic word “bagar,” which means “cow.” They are dispersed over Sudan, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic, stretching eastward from the Lake Chad region to the Nile River.
Approximately one million Shuwa people live in Nigeria, making up 90% of the nomadic population of Borno. Mostly speaking the Shuwa dialect of Arabic, Shuwa Arabs are of Arab heritage.
Marriage ceremonies in this tribe are usually long and elaborate. It could last for a week or more. The groom is obligated to give the family of the bride 12 gold coins and about 15 to 100 cows. The number of cows increases if she’s pretty and even more if she’s educated.
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The Shuwa Arab nomads typically select their children’s spouses; therefore, marriages between them can be quite intriguing. Before their sons reach adulthood, parents begin to look for a friend for them. This also holds for women. Relationships are arranged, especially between cousins and social equals. The Shuwa people generally believe that the practice keeps wealth (cattle) within the family and that cows are a good way to pay dowry. Since they are mostly Muslims, they get married according to Islamic customs.
Indian weddings
The average duration of an Indian wedding is three days, though some might last up to five. The day or days of the celebrations are usually included in the invitation.
There are particular rites, ceremonies, and activities on every day of the celebrations. What usually happens on each of these three days is broken down here.
Day 1: The Puja of Ganesh
The Ganesh Puja is the ritual that starts on the first day. The family prays to the Hindu god Ganesh, also known as Ganesha, for guidance on the upcoming event during the Ganesh Puja. The deity’s blessings are asked for in the prayer to help keep the celebrations calm and harmonious and to provide a happy start to the couple’s marriage.
Day 2: Sangeet and Mehndi Ceremony
The Mehndi ritual is held on the second day of the wedding festivities. The bride and other women present will have intricate and sophisticated henna designs applied to their hands and feet as part of this ritual. Everyone’s skin should be exquisitely ornamented for the wedding ceremony the following day, thanks to the colouring that should last for several days.
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The Sangeet, a nighttime event on the second day, takes place. The Sangeet is a more laid-back chance for visitors to mingle with one another and will extend invitations to the majority of wedding guests. The sangeet often consists of cuisine, dancing, and live entertainment.
Day 3: Ceremonies and Reception for the Wedding
The wedding ceremony and reception are the two most significant events that will take place on the last day of the celebrations. A cocktail hour is occasionally organised in between these two activities.
The guests’ drumming welcomes the groom as he enters the ceremony on a white horse. The bride and groom will trade floral garlands to wear throughout the ceremony after this procession.
Following that, the bride and groom carry out a custom known as the saptapadi or seven steps. To complete the process, the bride will have a necklace around her neck and some crimson powder applied to her forehead by the groom. These accessories represent her newfound position as a married lady.
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