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Pre-ceremony customs

Across many cultures, ritualistic acts are used to mark the import of the occasion but also to prepare and cleanse those involved. Several customs can be observed around the world that have origins in scaring away evil spirits or removing any traces of evil prior to the ceremony.

For example, in Nigeria it is considered good luck for the bride if her feet are washed before the wedding to wash away any evil. (The groom is probably grateful too!) The Chinese use lots of loud firecrackers at weddings to scare off evil spirits.

In England and in Hindu tradition, it is bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony. However, in other cultures there are customs that mark the collection of the bride by the groom to take her to the ceremony. In France, an old tradition is to have children tie white ribbons across the street that the couple have to cut together to be able to proceed to the church.

Spare a thought for the Russian groom who has to work even harder, making sure that he goes to his bride's apartment with plenty of time to spare before the ceremony. This is because the groom is challenged by members of the bride's family at each flight of steps with questions and tasks that he has to be successful in to be able to proceed. If he is unable to pass a challenge, he can either pay money to pass or entertain his way through with singing or dancing.