Strange and Funny Wedding Traditions in the UK: From Ancient Times Till Now

Weddings are full of traditions, many of which date back centuries. In the United Kingdom, some customs have deep historical roots, while others have transformed into amusing and bizarre practices over time. Imagine casino games. Before now, all players had the classical 3-reel fruit machine slot, but all is different now. The UK online slots category entails various upgrades and features like cascading reels, avalanches, video slots, Megaways, buy bonus features, etc. All of these don't subtract from the original slot concept but are held to diversify it.

Similarly, from medieval superstitions to modern quirks, British traditions remain a blend of romance, humour, and mystery. Not much has changed regarding its complexities. Rather, these modern inclusions add to its beauty. 

Ancient & Medieval Wedding Traditions 

In the early medieval era, some marriages were less above move and more about practical arrangements or even kidnapping. This practice was known as ‘marriage by capture’ and it entails a groom and his friends literally stealing the bride from her village. This tradition was more dominant in Scotland, where a man might abduct a woman he wanted to marry. If he could escape her family long enough and consummate the marriage, it would often be considered legal.

Throwing Shoes at the Bride and Groom

Before the modern tradition of throwing confetti or rice, guests would throw old shoes at newlyweds as they left the ceremony. This was meant to bring good luck, but it sounds more like it. Way to give the couple a few bruises on their special day.

Handfasting 

In Scotland, this was a common way for couples to make a temporary marriage commitment. Their hands were tied with a ribbon or cord to symbolize their bond. If, after a year and a day, they still want to stay together, the marriage is confirmed. If not, they could walk away with no legal fees required. 

The Lucky Chamber Pot

In some parts of the UK, especially Scotland and Wales, a strange wedding tradition entails the couple being served a dish from a chamber pot (a nighttime toilet). The pot would be filled with a combination of four, alcohol, and sometimes symbolic objects like coins or rings. The idea was that eating from it would bring fertility and good luck.  

Blackening the Bride and Groom

Scottish weddings still regain one of their messiest wedding traditions ever. This entails the friends of the bride and groom capturing them before the wedding to cover them in sticky substances like flour, feathers, or even fish guts before parading them through the streets. The goal is to ward off evil spirits and test the couple’s resilience before marriage.

Ringing Wedding Bells 

In many British churches, ringing wedding bells is a tradition believed to ward off evil spirits as well. This originates from the superstition that spirits dislike loud noises. This is why some churches still announce the event as “wedding bells.”

20th Century

The shoe-hiding game entails the bride’s family stealing one of her shows before the wedding. The groom is asked to pay a ransom to get it back. This ransome can be in the form of any gift, as dictated by the family.

The wedding cake prank is another one. In older times, pieces of cake were thrown at the bride for fertility luck. By this year, it evolved into a funnier but still messy tradition of the groom playfully smearing cake in the bride's face.

Carrying the bride over the threshold is another tradition with medieval origins. Initially, this was done to prevent the bride from tripping, which was a bad omen. However, some places interpret it as the possibility of evil spirits entering a bridge body through her feet. So, carrying her overprotects her from bad luck.

Modern Versions 

Weddings used to be a formal affair in the UK. However, modern couples now embrace themed weddings with costumes. So, rather than sitting beside a traditionally dressed relative, you're stuck with a wizard or snow-white.

Singing or Booing During Speeches 

British wedding speeches are legendary, usually filled with humour, heartfelt messages, and embarrassing tales. However, there is an unspoken rule that if speeches go on too long, guests will start tapping glasses or singing “get on with it” to speed things up.

Something Blue Prank

The tradition of wearing something blue for luck has taken on a humorous twist in some UK weddings. Friends of the bride sometimes sneak blue dye into her shoes or add a hidden blue sticker with a joke on it.

Hiding in the Wedding Car

Guests try to kidnap the bride or groom before they leave for their honeymoon. So, newlyweds have to sneak out of their wedding reception or hide in the back seat of their wedding car to avoid pranks from enthusiastic family and friends.

A Communal Celebration of Activities

The UK has a long history of strange and funny wedding traditions. While some have faded over time, others continue to evolve in creative and amusing ways. These wedding traditions remind us that marriage is not just about love. It is also about laughter, community, and the occasional embarrassing moment. So, if you are ever invited to a British wedding, be prepared for surprises, and don't be shy about joining the fun.