By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Weddings are a celebration of love, long life and - in some cultures - some very unusual approaches to liquor. From splashing Scotch to smashing bottles, these wild and weird wedding traditions add a little extra buzz (literally) to the festivities.
Russia - Vodka vibes:
The first toast at a Russian wedding traditionally honours the newlyweds, often with vodka shots but increasingly with wine. After the toast, guests start chanting ‘Gorko, Gorko, Gorko!’ - meaning ‘bitter’ - and the couple must share a long kiss to ‘sweeten’ the bitterness of the drink.
Historically, the tradition had a slightly different twist. The bride would offer each guest a vodka shot, receiving payment in return before they’d shout ‘Gorko!’ to verify that it was indeed vodka and not water. In return, the guest earned a kiss from the bride. Though simplified today, this lively ritual remains central to Russian weddings.
Scotland - Scotch and soot:
For Scottish couples today, the ancient, messy ritual of ‘Blackening’ has found new life as a lively pre-wedding celebration, often accompanying boozy bachelor or bachelorette parties. In this tradition, friends and family cover the soon-to-be-weds in a sticky blend of soot, flour, feathers and (sometimes) a generous splash of alcohol - usually whisky, occasionally beer - for good luck. Amid laughter and cheers, buckets of these potent brews are poured over the couple before they’re paraded around town, all in a spirited twist on warding off any bad luck that might follow them into married life.
Germany – A smashing good time:
According to German (to a lesser extent Polish, Austrian and Swiss) tradition, a pre-wedding custom called ‘Polterabend’ is often invoked to bring good fortune to the future married couple. In this ritual, guests break dishes, glasses and sometimes even toilets to encourage luck to shower on the lovebirds. The catch? In a symbolic gesture of teamwork, the newlyweds have to clean it up together. Friends often take this opportunity to toss back a few beers or shots of schnapps and as the night progresses, the ‘smashing’ becomes a little more enthusiastic. A messy start, one that is said to keep bad spirits at bay.
Nigeria - Say ‘I Do’ to palm wine:
In Nigeria, palm wine is a traditional drink at many events, especially weddings. As part of the ceremony, the bride’s father pours palm wine into a glass, which the bride then offers to her groom. After he drinks, he returns the glass to her for a sip, signifying their union and marking the moment they’re officially wed.
Japan - Sake-sharing: A ritual of respect:
Japanese weddings include the san-san-kudo ritual, a sacred sake-sharing ceremony that bonds families together. The couple sips from three stacked sake cups, taking three sips from each one, totalling nine sips. This is because in Japanese culture, three is a lucky number and three sets of three are believed to bring more harmony and fortune. For the guests, this is followed by a general sake toast, often with aged sake to symbolise the beauty of ageing and enduring relationships. It’s a refined custom and with the precision of every sip, it’s one of the most elegant ways to incorporate alcohol.
Latin America - The Crazy Hour:
Spanish for ‘the crazy hour’, the tradition of ‘La Hora Loca’ was born in Venezuela. It has since spread to wedding celebrations across Latin America. Described as ‘a party within the party’, La Hora Loca follows the formal dances and toasts, where guests are served more drinks, usually stronger cocktails, and the real party begins. With masks, glow sticks and wild dancing - fuelled by tequila, rum and other strong spirits - this tradition definitely shows why the Latinos are famed for living La Vida Loca!
Ukraine - An unusual approach to the ‘Shoey’:
For every Aussie who has ever taken credit for the practice of using their sneaker as a drinking vessel, Ukraine has entered the chat! This is because the former Soviet nation has long practised the modern-day version of the ‘Shoey’. Specifically on wedding days, where it is believed that unless brides keep their feet firmly planted on the ground, they risk having their shoes stolen. In which case, once the shoe is stolen, many guests will toss it around the room and even drink vodka or wine from it!
Greece – Opa!
In Greek Orthodox ceremonies, a beautiful ritual known as the Common Cup represents unity and shared life. During this part of the wedding, the couple drinks wine from the same cup, each taking three sips. The wine itself symbolises the fullness of life, with its sweet and bitter moments, while the act of sharing signifies how the couple will support and sustain one another through all of life’s highs and lows. It’s a simple but profound gesture, reminding everyone that marriage is about both sharing joy and shouldering burdens together. After all, what’s more symbolic of unity than sipping from the same glass?
China - Seeing red:
Finally, in certain Chinese weddings, a red string symbolising luck is tied around a goblet, which is then filled with wine, sometimes sweetened with honey. When you hear ‘Ganbei!’ (meaning ‘bottoms up’), it signals that you and the other guests should drink until your glass is empty in honour of the celebration.
