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[Pete Richards]

1. The annoying ritual of making noise at the home of newlyweds



Charivari is probably the most annoying wedding-related tradition we've ever heard of. It is a French folk custom in which the community gives a noisy, discordant mock serenade at the home of newlyweds while also pounding on pots and pans . It has been documented since the Middle Ages but likely was traditional before that. It was first recorded in France as a regular wedding activity to celebrate the nuptials at some point after the vows had been taken.

[Pete Richards]

2. The brides who wear rings on their toes instead of fingers



Whereas most jewelry exchanged at weddings involves placing rings on fingers, Hindu brides use the Bichiya, which is the tradition of wearing their wedding rings on their feet. The ring is usually silver and placed on a woman's left foot, specifically on her great toe (which is next to the big toe). The groom slips the ring on the bride's foot during the ceremony, and these rings are only worn by married women.

[Pete Richards]

3. The tradition of not allowing the newlyweds to use the bathroom for 3 days



Well, this one can get painful and ugly. Members of the Tidong community in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia do not allow newlyweds to go to the bathroom for 3 days and 3 nights. If they do, they will have bad luck, apparently. Bad luck may come in the form of a broken union, the death of children, or even infertility. The couple is starved and given little water.

[Pete Richards]

4. The ritual where guests pay to dance with the bride



This Polish tradition involves all of wedding guests, the bride, dancing, money and an apron. At the wedding reception, the bride will dance with her father, while a relative holds out an apron. Guests who place money in the apron win the opportunity to dance with the bride. After a time, the groom will throw in his wallet, thus surpassing all the other contributions. He will then whisk away his new wife on their honeymoon.

[Pete Richards]

5. The ritual of smashing dishes



The origin of this tradition is unknown, but it's thought that the cacophonous sounds caused by the smashing of the cookery represent the inevitable future disturbances that the couple will face throughout their married lives. By breaking the dishes beforehand, the community is preparing the couple for the obstacles ahead and simultaneously wishing them luck.

[Pete Richards]

6. The practice of kidnapping brides



Bride kidnapping, also known as marriage by abduction or marriage by capture, is a practice throughout history and around the world in which a man abducts the woman he wishes to marry. It's said that bride kidnapping still occurs in some cultures like the Romani, also known as Gypsies. If you manage to forcefully kidnap a girl and keep her by your side for 2-3 days, she officially becomes your wife. Pretty crazy, right?

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