These Are Good Luck at a Wedding?

I saw a photo of the "glass tent" imported from Belgium for the reception to celebrate Pippa Middleton's marriage to some wealthy dude no one ever heard of except his social circle.  I found this glass tent more interesting, frankly.  In reality it's an over-sized greenhouse and is reported to have cost $130,000 and was shipped in from Belgium. 

To see more of the glassworker's art, visit Alibaba.com.  One variety has to be shipped from Shanghai so do plan ahead.  Or adopt much cheaper ways to celebrate.  There are a variety of  ways, based on the country that you live in.  So poke around in the stewpot and extract a morsel that might amuse and occupy your wedding guests.  You certainly don't have to actually be in that country.

Teasing Theft - in India, the bride's oldest unmarried sister steals the groom's shoes.  His family has to pay the ransom to get them back.  If it was my sister I would be suspicious that perhaps shoes weren't all she wanted from my husband.

In Kenya, the bride's father gives her a farewell "good luck!" by spitting on her head and chest.  This strikes me as passive aggressive to a fine degree.   

African-Americans jump over a broom and the one of the pair who leaps higher is believed to be the decision-maker in the following days and years.  Basketball courts do a good business before the wedding.  Or so 'tis said.

In Venezuela and Britain, the happy couple attempts to sneak away from the festivities and this is referred to as an "Irish Goodbye" which is gratuitous insult.  Insults have no place at a happy occasion.

As for German customs there was dissension in the ranks - one side holds that the wedding guests bring china and bash it on the floor at the reception so that the newly-married couple has to work together to clean it up.  Conversely, this is said to be a fun part of a pre-wedding bash.

In Ireland, a bell is rung after each half of the couple makes their vows so as to ward off evil spirits.

In Greece the best man shaves the groom for the ceremony and his ushers/friends help get him dressed in what is believed (there) to be a sign of trust.  But whose trust was not explained.  .  I find this interesting (and certainly odd) on several levels.  According to historical tomes, ancient Greeks weren't all that choosy about with whom they mated.   Any port in a storm, if you will.