Cultures throughout the world
have their own unique ideas on how to say, "I do."
We're taking you around the globe to show you
how people celebrate their big day.
The dollar dance, also known as the money or apron dance,
is a tradition associated with countries all over,
including Poland, Hungary, Nigeria, Philippines, and Mexico.
These videos feature a Mexican American wedding
and Mexican Filipino wedding.
Money is tossed, handed, or pinned onto the couple while
different guests take turns dancing with the newlyweds.
The money is a great way to help with a little extra
financial support and to let them know you wish them
a life of prosperity.
Jumping the broom refers to a wedding tradition
in which a couple literally jumps over a broom.
There's a misconception that it began during slavery
in the United States, but it originated in Ghana
and is still practiced there.
The broom holds spiritual value and symbolizes
the sweeping away of evils and past wrongs.
Today, some African American couples include it
in their ceremony as a tribute to tradition.
In Greece, the koumbaro is similar to the best man.
On the morning of the wedding, they help the groom prepare
for the ceremony by helping them shave and get ready.
It's a practice that signifies trust between close friends.
In the days before the wedding, one or both of the fiancés
are taken by their friends and family
and covered in various substances
like soot, feathers, food, and more.
The tradition started as a way to ward off danger
from supernatural forces.
After being covered up, they're paraded around town
while their friends make plenty of noise
and make a scene for all to see.
The Chinese tea ceremony is a wedding tradition
that bonds two families together.
While kneeling, the couple serves tea to their parents.
Traditionally, the couple serves the groom's parents
and elders in order of seniority,
followed by the bride's family.
This serves as a formal introduction, to show respect,
and to express gratitude.
In return, the couple usually receives lucky red envelopes
with money or jewelry.
In this pre-wedding ritual, turmeric paste is rubbed
onto the couple's skin by friends and family.
In India, turmeric can signify a lot of things,
including purity, fertility, and good health.
The paste also gives the couple
a nice glow for their big day.
The ceremony is usually accompanied by traditional song
and dance and is supposed to ease nerves.
This German tradition has guests smashing porcelain
before the wedding to wish the couple luck
in their married life.
The couple is responsible for cleaning up the shards
to symbolize teamwork.
The more shards of broken dishes,
the better the luck the couple will have.