8 Unique and Wonderful International Wedding Ceremonies and Rituals You’ve Never Seen Before!

I Want to Know About Unique Overseas Wedding Performances ♡

There are many attractive wedding performances overseas!

Now, common wedding ideas in Japan, like bouquet tosses, first meet, and the recently popular dozen roses ceremony, all originated overseas ♡

Unique rituals that you haven't seen in Japan can serve as great references when considering the progression of your own wedding and reception ♩

In this article, we introduce some unusual overseas wedding ceremonies that could be possibly adopted in Japan.

Let's incorporate these interesting overseas wedding performances to create a wonderful wedding ♡

Unusual Overseas Wedding Performance ① Wedding Box

The first one we introduce is the wedding box ceremony. The bride and groom place a wine bottle and letters to each other inside a wooden box and nail the lid shut.

The sealed box is then kept at home, to be opened together years later. Reading letters that express how they felt at that time while drinking wine is just wonderful ♡

More detailed instructions on the wedding box can be found in this article.

➡ Isn't it lovely like a time capsule? Have you heard about the popular overseas wedding performance, the [Wedding Box]?

Unusual Overseas Wedding Performance ② Log Sawing

One of Germany's traditional rituals is log sawing. The bride and groom, wearing aprons, work together to saw a large log. It's an exhilarating first joint task!

The ritual symbolizes the hope that the couple will accumulate rings of years together, just like the annual rings of a tree ♡

It seems that some couples in Japan are also incorporating log sawing into their ceremonies * Guests are likely to be excited to witness this unique sight ♡

Unusual Overseas Wedding Performance ③ Heart Cutting Competition

Next is another peculiar wedding activity from Germany ♡ The bride and groom race to cut a heart shape drawn on a large sheet from the center. The one who finishes cutting first gets to take the lead in the new family.

Once the heart shape is successfully cut out, they pass through the heart together. It often results in the groom lifting the bride in a princess carry ♡

Don't you think this would be a hit if incorporated into the wedding reception? ♩

Unusual Overseas Wedding Performance ④ Unity Candle

The unity candle is a wedding ritual that originated in Europe.

You will need one large thick candle and two thin candles.

First, the mothers from both families light the two thin candles, and then the bride and groom use those flames to light the larger candle.

This performance represents the unity of both families as the flames from each family's candles come together in the hands of the bride and groom, symbolizing the birth of a new family ♡

More detailed instructions on the unity candle can be found in this article.

➡ Have you heard about the unique wedding performance, [Unity Candle Ceremony], which symbolizes the birth of a new family? ♡

Unusual Overseas Wedding Performance ⑤ Bread and Salt Ritual

Next is a unique wedding tradition from Russia *

The groom's family prepares a traditional large round bread, and the bride and groom eat it with plenty of salt. This ritual symbolizes the welcoming of the bride into the new family.

Sprinkling a lot of salt symbolizes the wish for "this to be the last bitterness in life" ♡ Additionally, the one who eats more bread is said to become the head of the household.

It seems like this would be a fun addition to the wedding reception ♡ Let's have guests sprinkle plenty of salt on it. *

Unusual Overseas Wedding Performance ⑥ Handfasting

Handfasting is a traditional ceremony from the Celtic wedding customs in Europe.

Before the ring exchange during the ceremony, the couple holds hands, and a priest ties them together with a ribbon. You can also ask family or friends to assist ♡

The ring exchange and vows are done while the ribbon is still tied, and it is only untied during the veil-up.

It signifies the meaning of "holding hands and making a promise = marriage." It feels quite romantic and lovely.

Unusual Overseas Wedding Performance ⑦ Ring Warming

Ring warming is a popular ritual gaining traction in overseas weddings.

Before the ring exchange, each guest touches the rings to warm them up. It's somewhat similar to the ring relay done in Japanese ceremonies.

Traditionally, the wedding ring is tied with a ribbon or placed in a small bag to prevent it from getting lost. *

Guests are said to infuse their love into the rings while they touch them. The bride and groom exchange the rings, filled with love from all the guests, as their vow as a couple. It's a wonderful ritual that makes the significance of marriage feel stronger.

Unusual Overseas Wedding Performance ⑧ Wine Blending

Finally, we introduce the wine blending ceremony, which could be considered an overseas version of the water mixing ceremony.

You will need red and white wine, along with a decanter.

The wine can be from the couple's birth years or made in memorable places—anything goes. Make sure to taste and select wines that blend well together in advance ♡

The couple drinks a toast with the mixed wine to complete the ceremony. The remaining wine can be taken home or served to guests as well. *

Let's Incorporate Overseas Wedding Performances ♩

We've introduced some of the unusual wedding customs from abroad that are still rare in Japan.

Did any of the performances catch your eye for your ceremony or reception? ♡

Incorporate these unique overseas wedding ceremonies that will surprise your guests into your own wedding ♩