All cultures place a pretty high value on weddings. They are the traditional union of two people and can have massive implications in social terms. So it’s hardly surprising that a lot of strange traditions have sprung up around weddings. We’re going to take a look at a few of them, and give you some insight into these bizarre wedding rituals.

1. Freezing the top of the cake

This tradition, like many others, has its roots in pragmatism. The idea of freezing the top of the cake was initially so that there would be some for the eventual christening of a child. That way, you don’t have to spend extra money on another cake for the event.

2. Disturbing the newlyweds

This strange tradition has its roots in the medieval era. It focuses on the idea of disrupting the peace of newlyweds on the night of the wedding. It’s a cheeky concept, and one that is sadly rarely practiced these days.

3. Carrying the bride across the threshold

This tradition has its roots in Western Europe. The idea is that if you carry your bride across the threshold, you will ward away any evil spirits. A nice thought, and it’s no surprise that it’s still practiced today.

4. Destroying the dress

While it may seem odd to wreck something that you’ve paid a fortune for, it’s fairly common these days for the bride to end up destroying her dress. When done in the right way it can make for some truly fantastic pictures. This is very much a modern tradition, with no particular roots anywhere.