German Wedding Traditions

Many couples of German descent would like to honor their heritage by incorporating some German wedding traditions into their wedding ceremony and reception.

Here is a list of some of the top German customs.

THE ENGAGEMENT

After becoming engaged, the couple exchanges gold bands, which they wear on their left hands until the wedding. At the wedding ceremony, there is a ring exchange and the rings are then transferred to the right hand and become the wedding band.

Another German wedding tradition is the creation of a wedding newspaper by friends and family of the bride and groom. The newspaper is filled with pictures and stories of the engaged couple. This newspaper will then be sold at the reception to help pay for the honeymoon.

Guests celebrate the wedding eve at the traditional polterabend, which is similar to a rehearsal dinner. However, the meal is served first and then they have the wedding rehearsal. After the rehearsal, friends present a play or mime, that predicts the couple's future.

Smashing china and glasses ends the evening which symbolizes the couples new start in life. Guests at the polterabend will also clang pots and crack whips to keep the evil spirits away.

THE CEREMONY

Before the church ceremony, the bride and groom are married at a civil ceremony at the Standesamt (Registrar's Office). Only family and close friends attend.

Often, the bride and groom will ride to and from the church in a carriage drawn by black horses.

The bride and groom enter the church and walk down the aisle together.

The bride wears a white gown that has been handed down through the generations. Often, she will wear a folk crown made of costume jewels, flowers, and beads.

The bride keeps on her crown until midnight. After midnight, she will change the crown for a bridal hat.

During the ceremony, the bride and groom both hold candles decorated with ribbons and flowers.

After the wedding ceremony, the bride gives a white ribbon to each driver of a car to tie to his/her car's radio antenna. The procession of cars drives through the town honking their horns. Other drivers on the route honk back to wish the couple good luck in their marriage.

Some newlyweds visit the tombs of their ancestors after the wedding to pay their respects.

THE RECEPTION

Stealing the bride has become something of a reception game in Germany. The "best man" spirits the bride away to a bar, where they drink champagne, and wait for the groom to locate them.

When newlywed try to slip out of the reception unnoticed, the guests rope them in with floral garlands and red ribbon to prevent them from leaving.

As the couple walks to the wedding car, guests lay fir branches along the path to pave their first steps together. This fresh greenery symbolizes hope, luck and fertility.

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