For many couples, a wedding marks a sacred moment, the beginning of a new life together. But beyond the emotional exchange of vows and rings, weddings are also rich with tradition. Passed down through generations, these customs reflect the cultural values, beliefs, and symbols that shape how love and commitment are celebrated across the world.
While Indonesia has its own unique wedding rituals, Europe, too, is home to a wide variety of ceremonial traditions, each with its own history, symbolism, and meaning. From Scotland to Greece, these time-honored customs add layers of depth to the act of saying “I do.”
Curious about it? Let’s explore 7 meaningful and romantic wedding traditions from Europe.
1. The Garter Toss
Recently, the garter toss drew public attention after it appeared in Luna Maya and Maxime Bouttier. In the widely shared video, Luna wore a garter around her thigh, which Maxime removed from beneath her dress and tossed into a crowd of male guests.
Though this moment sparked plenty of curiosity, the tradition has long-standing roots in English weddings. Historically, the garter was a small elastic band worn around the thigh to hold up stockings.
According to The Knot, in earlier centuries, guests would often try to grab a piece of the bride’s clothing for good luck, which is leading to the creation of the garter toss as a way to protect the bride’s dress.
2. Der Polterabend
In Germany, a beloved pre-wedding tradition known as Der Polterabend is held the night before the ceremony. As described in Kompasiana, friends and family gather and smash porcelain items like plates or tiles outside the bride or groom’s home.
Why? Because of the old German saying “Scherben bringen Glück”, meaning “shards bring good luck.” The broken pieces are believed to ward off evil spirits and invite blessings for the couple.
After the smashing ends, the bride and groom must clean up the mess together. It’s more than a symbolic act, it’s their first lesson in cooperation and problem-solving as a married team.
3. Handfasting
Handfasting is a beautifully symbolic tradition from ancient Celtic cultures where a couple’s hands are literally tied together with ribbons, cords, or fabric, symbolizing the binding of two souls.
As noted by Brides, handfasting dates back to 7000 BC. Originally, it served as a temporary union, an engagement period where couples would live together for a year before deciding whether to marry permanently.
While the “trial year” is no longer practiced, handfasting remains popular today as a meaningful gesture. Couples clasp hands, exchange vows, and have their hands bound, often with cords woven from sentimental materials or decorated with beads. Some keep the cord as a keepsake to remember their vows and connection.
4. Crowning Ceremony
In Greek Orthodox weddings, the Crowning Ceremony (or Stefana) is one of the most symbolic moments.
According to DMG Ceremonies, the crowns represent the couple as king and queen of their new “kingdom”, which is their home. Traditionally made from olive branches or lemon blossoms as offerings to Aphrodite, modern crowns may be crafted from metal or crystal.
The crowns are swapped three times over the couple’s heads, symbolizing the Holy Trinity and then tied with a ribbon, showing they are now one in spirit and in life.
5. The Money Dance
Popular in Poland, Hungary, and Ukraine, the Money Dance is a joyful and meaningful way for guests to offer financial blessings to the newlyweds.
In this ceremony, the guests take turns dancing with the bride or groom, pinning money onto their clothing.
In some Polish traditions, male guests must “pay” for a dance with the bride until the groom steps in to “win” her back.
Though playful, the dance carries sincere meaning. It reflects community support, family togetherness, and shared hope for a prosperous new life.
6. Log Cutting Ceremony
The Log Cutting Ceremony (or Baumstamm sägen) is a tradition from Southern Germany that symbolizes a couple’s first challenge as a team. After the wedding ceremony, the couple must cut through a log together, representing the idea that life’s obstacles can only be overcome with cooperation, communication, and mutual effort.
According to Heart of NC Weddings, the ritual reminds newlyweds that teamwork is at the heart of marriage and that no challenge is too big when faced together.
7. Jumping the Broom
Though more commonly associated with African-American weddings today, Jumping the Broom has deep roots in Welsh and Romani traditions. As Brides explains, in the past, couples whose unions weren’t recognized by the church would “jump the broom” as an alternative way to legitimize their marriage.
The act of leaping over a broomstick symbolizes sweeping away the past and entering a new chapter of life, united in love and purpose.
In modern weddings, the broom is often customized with flowers and ribbon, and kept as a meaningful keepsake or heirloom.
So, those are several European wedding traditions that beautifully blend symbolism, culture, and heartfelt meaning. Whether you’re planning your own wedding or simply fascinated by cultural traditions, may these timeless rituals inspire you to see love not just as an emotion, but as a living tradition, one worth celebrating, cherishing, and sharing.
And if you’d like to explore more about languages and cultures from around the world, don’t forget to check out more insightful content at pemad.or.id!
Referensi
https://www.brides.com/story/handfasting-wedding-ceremony-101
https://www.dmgceremonies.co.uk/post/unity-rituals-and-symbols-ideas-crowning-ceremony
https://heartofncweddings.com/log-cutting-ceremony/
