For my final project in this class we were to pick a social event and research it further in any way that we chose. I decided to look into how wedding traditions and customs are different in various countries around the world. Countries featured: India, Ireland, Democratic Republic of Congo & Mexico

1. How are Weddings Different
Around the World?
AN IN DEPTH LOOK INTO TRADITIONS, FOOD, FASHION AND CEREMONY
PRACTICES IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD

2. INDIA
 Traditions
 Mehndi: Just before the wedding, brides have their
skin intricately painted which lasts for two weeks in
lieu of pieces of jewelry.
 Joota Chupai “ Hiding the Shoes”: Before the
ceremony the groom takes off his shoes. It is his
families job to protect them while the brides family
tries to steal them.
 Barat: Procession that takes place from the home
of the groom to the wedding venue. Attended by
many friends and family members.

3. INDIA
 Food and Beverage
 Different depending on the region
 South Indian weddings are all completely vegetarian.
There are no utensils and the plates are made from
banana leafs
 Traditional items include Butter Chicken, Lamb
Curry, Kheer (rice pudding with fruit and nuts)

4. INDIA
 Fashion
 Brides tend to wear red
 Vibrant colors are encouraged for guests
 Silk sari’s are traditional
 Silk lehngas may also be worn
 Dress that features a short blouse and A-line or mermaid
skirt

5. INDIA
 Ceremony
 One of the most
important rites of
passage
 Traditionally performed
as a Hindu ceremony
 Kannyadaan: giving
away the bride
 Saptapadi: 7 vows with 7
steps

6. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
OF CONGO
 Traditions
 Arranged marriages are traditional
 Less likely today in larger cities
 The next day following the wedding, a special
ritual is performed to prove the virginity of the
bride
 Entire wedding day (ceremony-reception) the
couple is not allowed to smile
 Food and Beverage
 Traditional diets consist of rice, potatoes,
plantains and yams
 Mwamba: meat or fish cooked in a palm nut
paste sauce. Usually served with rice

7. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
OF CONGO
 Fashion
 Bold, bright and stunning prints
 May wear a western influenced wedding dress
 Ceremony
 Exchanging vows in front of a government
official rather than religious official or non-
denominational officiant

8. IRELAND
 Traditions
 Bride must keep feet firmly on the floor when
dancing
 Bagpipes and Kilts
 Claddagh Ring:
 Used as the wedding ring

9. IRELAND
 Food and Beverage
 Irish soda bread
 Corned beef & cabbage
 Traditional Irish wedding cake: fruitcake with
nuts, laced with liquor
 Mead: fermented honey wine
 Guinness Beer, Bailey’s Irish Cream &
Jameson Irish Whiskey
 Fashion
 Irish lace
 Hats are worn by Mother of the Bride &
Mother of the Groom
 Groom may wear kilts

10. IRELAND
 Ceremony
 Harp playing before ceremony begins
 Hand fasting: bride and groom have their
hands tied together to symbolize the joining
of their lives

11. MEXICO
 Traditions:
 Traditionally men and women are seated
apart during the reception
 Piñata: Party game for children at reception
 Money Dance: men may pay for a dance
with the bride
 Mariachi band for music
 Sponsors act as mentors to the couple both
during engagement and after they are
married

12. MEXICO
 Food & Beverage
 Rice, beans, tortillas, mole sauce
 Wedding cake: traditionally made from nuts, dried fruit
soaked in rum
 The whole town pitches in to prepare foods
 Fashion
 Brides dress is sewn by her family…Grooms family pays!
 A bolero jacket may be worn to cover shoulders
 Mantilla veil
 Groom typically wear linen pants and a loose fitting shirt,
Guayabera
 Flower girl and ring bearer match bride and groom

13. MEXICO
 Ceremony
 Many involve a catholic
mass
 Red rose beads may be
tossed as a symbol of
luck in the marriage
 Arras: groom gifts the
bride 13 gold coins for
the officiant to bless
during the ceremony
 Lazo: couple is wrapped
to symbolize their bond
 Ring exchange

14. WORKS CITED
 Blanchard, J. L. (n.d.). What to Expect at an Indian Wedding. Retrieved
November 7, 2016
 Bressler, B. K. (n.d.). Irish Wedding Traditions. Retrieved November 14, 2016,
 Congolese. (1999). Retrieved November 13, 2016,
 Heltzer, J. (2014, March 26). Traditional weddings-Republic of congo.
Retrieved November 19, 2016
 Indian Wedding Food. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2016
 Indian Wedding Traditions. (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2016
 Jones, A. M. (n.d.). Mexican Wedding Traditions. Retrieved November 19,
2016

15. WORKS CITED
 Marriage Ceremony. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2016
 Mattia, N. (2016, June 2). 45 Fascinating Wedding Traditions from Around
the World. Retrieved September 30, 2016
 Republic of Congo. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2016
 S. (2013, October 30). The Big Fat Glossary of Indian Mithai & Sweets.
Retrieved November 11, 2016
 The Knot. (n.d.). Wedding Customs and Traditions From Around the Globe.
Retrieved November 19, 2016
 Wedding Traditions. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2016
 Klein, K. O. (n.d.). Irish Wedding Traditions. Retrieved November 14, 2016.