As an Iranian (Persian) wedding photographer raised in the diverse San Francisco Bay Area community, I'm very attracted to ethnic wedding traditions and customs. Here are some basic information I would like to share with you regarding wedding customs and traditions of a few other cultures around the world.

Persian (Iranian) Wedding Customs and Traditions
There are two stages to a Persian marriage. Most often both take place on the same day, but occasionally there could be some time between the two. The first is called "Aghd", the legal process of getting married, when both the bride and bridegroom and their guardians sign a marriage contract. The second stage is "Jashn-e Aroosi", the wedding reception - the actual feasts and the celebrations, which traditionally lasted from 3 to 7 days.
 
The ceremony takes place in a specially decorated room with flowers and a beautiful and elaborately decorated spread on the floor called "Sofreh-ye Aghd". Traditionally Sofreh-ye Aghd is set on the floor facing east, the direction of sunrise (light). Consequently when bride and bridegroom are seated at the head of Sofreh-ye Aghd they will be facing "The Light".
 
By custom Aghd would normally take place at bride's parents/guardians home. The arrival of the guests, who are to be witnesses to the marriage of the couple, initiates the wedding ceremony. Traditionally the couples' guardians and other elder close family members are present in the room to greet the guests and guide them to their seats. After all the guests are seated the bridegroom is the first to take his seat in the room at the head of Sofreh-ye Aghd. The bride comes afterwards and joins the bridegroom at the head of Sofreh-ye Aghd. The bridegroom always sits on the right hand side of the bride. In Zoroastrian culture the right side designates a place of respect. [Read More...]

Chinese Wedding Customs
The invitations sent to the guest are wrapped in red gift-wrap, as the traditional colors of happiness and wealth are red and gold. Any gifts of money to the newlyweds are presented in red envelopes for the same reason. Gold jewelry - filled purses are also presented to the bride by women relatives and close friends to portray her new status. During the ceremony both bride and groom pay homage and respect to their parents and elders for the guidance and wisdom they have bestowed upon them. After the ceremony, firecrackers are lit to chase any evil spirits and demons away from the couple. During the reception the bride will be presented in typically at least three different wedding outfits.

Filipino Wedding Customs
At a Filipino wedding, both the bride and groom have money pinned to them as people dance with them at the reception. Sometimes the families compete to see who will collect more. The couple, to symbolize their undying love for each other, will release a pair of doves, that were caged in an elaborate bell made of flowers.

German Wedding Customs
A wedding in Germany could be a three day celebration!!! On the Thursday, the couple gets together with close family and friends to go to the city center to have a civil ceremony. Afterwards they all go out to dinner. On Friday, the real fun begins as the couple is visited for the Polterabend, or wedding-eve party, by friends and neighbors. The celebration entails the smashing of plates and other breakables as a sign of good luck (may nothing ever be broken in your home again). On Saturday, the newlyweds religious ceremony takes place, followed by the reception of traditional fare. Before the couple can sneak out of the party, friends place garlands of flowers, greenery and ribbons at the exits, the groom must "ransom" the couple out with promises of money or a party.

Indian Wedding Customs
The Indian bride, after a ceremonial cleansing, is painted with henna patterns on her hands and feet. After the ceremony, the brothers of the groom toss flower petals to ward off evil from the Newlyweds.

The ceremony for a Hindu ceremony is to walk around a fire blessed by a Pundit, seven times. Fire represents the purity of the union. In a Sikh ceremony, the couple walk around the Sikh Holy book four times. Regardless of the religion, there are some things which have some variations, but are overall the same. While the actual ceremony is a serious affair, after the ceremony, traditionally, the groom comes on a horse arriving with his entourage making a lot of noise with an Indian drum (the dhol). There, the bride's sisters exchange good natured banter with the men on the groom's side and refuse to let the groom past to leave with his wife. This is to signify that the bride is precious to them too. Then there is the doli where it finally hits the family that their daughter is leaving the house for good, and is now the daughter of another house. This is a sad but beautiful ceremony. Some of these ceremonies vary according to religion and the region of India.

Japanese Wedding Customs
Red, a joyous, lucky color, is important at the reception of a Japanese wedding. There are many toasts and speeches made by their elders and other honored guests about the couple. The reception menu could include Kai fish, the traditional fish of happiness, red rice, kelp, and sake wine (rice wine).

Jewish Wedding Customs
A Bride begins her transition from single to married life by taking a ritualistic bath.
 
The wedding ceremony usually takes place under a huppah, or wedding canopy. This tradition began in the Middle Ages when a couple would wed outdoors so that the marriage could be blessed with as many children as there are stars in the heavens.
 
A traditional marriage agreement, the ketubah, is beautiful and ornate, and is signed by the couple to be displayed prominently in their home.
 
The end of the ceremony is signaled by the groom breaking a napkin-wrapped wineglass underfoot, in remembrance of the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and other Tragedies that have befallen the Jewish Faith. After the ceremony, shouts of "good luck" or "Mazel Tov!" can be heard from the joyous celebrants.
 
The hora, is a traditional dance of celebration, and is performed at the reception.