People of different cultures and religions have different wedding ceremonies, but the underlining of every ceremony is the same – it marks the merger of two souls for eternity. Find out more about wedding ceremonies of three different cultures.

Egyptian wedding

Egyptian girls most often marry between 12 and 15 years of age. When a man is looking for a wife, his mother or other close older female relative helps him in his quest. Most often, they seek for a bride through a mediator whose task is to match young people that suit each other.

The marriage is made with the approval of both parties` parents. After the family consents, negotiations and wedding preparations start. It is a custom on wedding day for the groom to approach the bride`s father, accompanied by his friends, and to buy her off for a previously arranged price.

During the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom sit on the floor opposite one another with their right-hand thumbs facing each other. Their hands are covered with a handkerchief and a prayer is read out. After the groom declares that he accepts the bride and that he will take care of her, her needs and to protect her, they are officially married.

Several days after the wedding ceremony, the bride enters the groom`s home, while relatives and friends come to their home and congratulate them. Still, this sort of a traditional wedding is not a common thing in Egypt anymore.

If you are interested in how Egyptians have fun at a wedding, take a look at this VIDEO.

Hindu wedding

A traditional Hindu wedding usually lasts several days. The wedding ceremony is divided in three parts – a ceremony before the wedding, the wedding ceremony and a post wedding ceremony. Wedding is one of the most important events in a Hindu`s life because it does not represent creation of a bond between two people, but between two families.

Weddings are usually held on the estate of the bride`s family, in the open and decorated in detail space. During the main ceremony, the bride and groom exchange vows before God, promising each other to share love and be loyal to each other during their life together. They are both dressed in traditional clothes. The bride wears a sari and a lot of jewellery, while the groom wears a sherwani and a pagri or a turban on his head. The place where the ceremony takes place, mandap, is wonderfully decorated because all festivity participants gather there.

You can see a Hindu wedding by clicking on this VIDEO.

Chinese wedding

A traditional Chinese wedding starts with the proposal, which both families must agree on, seeing how they determine the date of the engagement. Families meet on that day to exchange gifts and set a wedding date. Still, a date cannot be set without previous consultation with a clairvoyant as it is considered bad luck.

Several days before the wedding, the groom`s family and friends prepare their twin bed. Everyone produces special linen and various symbols. Red is used because it represents happiness and joy, while fruit is placed on the bed as a symbol of fertility.

During this period, the bride is isolated in her parent`s home. Her close relatives and friends gather at her home to grieve her departure from the family. On wedding day, the bride must go through a special ritual and have her hair ornamented. This is usually done by one of her close female relatives.

The bride is dressed in a red dress, red shoes and a red veil. The groom is also dressed in red. He must come to the bride`s home on wedding day and bargain for her. When he finally “purchases” her, she leaves her home wearing a red umbrella to chase away evil spirits with.

The wedding itself does not last long. The bride and groom bow three times or kneel – to Heaven, Earth and their ancestors and parents. After they bow to each other, the wedding ceremony is over.

You can see traditional Chinese dancing by clicking HERE.