| "body"> | | | | A holdover from the days of communism is a |
| If you'd like to add a slice of your heritage to your | | | | procession of cars that arrives at the ceremony. Since |
| wedding ceremony, you're not alone. Millions of couples | | | | large cars were a sign of wealth, effort is made to |
| are embracing their ancestry and choosing to | | | | rent one for the bride and groom. In addition, guests to |
| incorporate some of the best traditions from around | | | | the wedding will each drive to the wedding alone to |
| the world in their ceremonies here at home. Here are | | | | increase the size of the procession. The groom |
| some of the most interesting wedding traditions you | | | | traditionally takes the bride to the church, but before he |
| might find if you attended a wedding in Germany, | | | | is allowed to do so, he must pass a series of |
| Russia or Ireland. If you or your family are from one of | | | | challenges put up by her family and friends, including |
| these countries, why not try adding some phrases | | | | trivia questions, physical obstacles, and even an actual |
| from your ancestor's native tongue in your wedding | | | | climb up to the bride's window. |
| vows for a truly memorable touch! | | | | Marriage ceremonies are held in the licensing office, |
| Germany | | | | and must be witnessed. Although church weddings are |
| To fund her future wedding, when a baby girl is born in | | | | held, they have no legal significance, so they are often |
| Germany, several trees are planted and tended | | | | held after the legal ceremony. At the reception, it is |
| throughout her childhood. When she is to be married, | | | | customary to drink to excess, with a series of toasts |
| the trees are sold to pay for her wedding and to act | | | | offered to the bride and groom. Prior to leaving the |
| as a dowry. To help defray costs of a honeymoon, | | | | reception hall, the bride is stolen away by the friends of |
| friends and family of the wedding couple will make a | | | | the groom. He must then locate her and pay her |
| newspaper or newsletter featuring pictures and | | | | ransom. This can happen several times, so the groom |
| articles about the couple's youth. This newsletter is sold | | | | must be ever watchful of his new wife. |
| at the wedding. | | | | Ireland |
| A German wedding can last up to three days. There is | | | | Instead of wedding bands, more and more Irish couples |
| first a civil ceremony, then the following day is a | | | | are choosing to wear the Claddagh ring. This design |
| traditional ceremony. Finally on the third day is a | | | | has a heart being held on either side with a hand, and |
| religious ceremony. Guests bring old dishes to the | | | | a crown on top. Wearing the ring on the left hand with |
| second night's party to break, and the couple sweeps | | | | the heart facing you indicates marriage, wearing it with |
| them up. This symbolizes that their home will never be | | | | the heart facing away means you are single. The ring |
| broken. | | | | may be used as an engagement ring or a wedding |
| As the wedding couple leaves the church, they throw | | | | band, and is often passed from mother to daughter. |
| coins to the children who have attended. A customary | | | | As the bride and groom leave the church, they throw |
| tradition is for the best man to steal the bride and take | | | | a handful of coins into the crowd of waiting guests. |
| her to a local pub, where they drink champagne and | | | | The bride will carry a horseshoe with her for luck |
| hide. | | | | throughout her marriage. This is usually sewn into the |
| The groom must find them, and pay for all they drank. | | | | dress, although it might be a plastic cake decoration |
| Also, before leaving the reception hall, guests block the | | | | today. Truly traditional Irish weddings are held only from |
| door and demand payment from the groom (usually in | | | | April through October, but never in the month of May |
| the form of a promise of a party) before they allow | | | | due to superstition. This half of the year is considered |
| the wedding couple to leave for their honeymoon. | | | | the "light" half. Mead, which is a honey wine, is served |
| Russia | | | | at Irish receptions, and is believed to be the source of |
| What are referred to in western society as wedding | | | | the word honeymoon. It is thought to increase virility |
| rings are in Russia called engagement rings. These | | | | and fertility, and is therefore in great abundance at |
| plain gold bands are worn on the ring finger of the right | | | | weddings. As the bride and groom leave the reception |
| hand. When a person is widowed or divorced, they will | | | | hall, there are often bagpipes stationed just outside to |
| move the ring to the left hand. The groom pays for | | | | play them to their waiting car, which whisks them |
| the ring, although the couple chooses them together. | | | | away to their honeymoon spot. |