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Wedding traditions from around the world

If you fancy breaking from the norm, why not try incorporating some of these wedding traditions from around the world into your big day

Morocco: The brides starts her wedding day by having a ceremonial purification milk bath before having her hands and feet intricately painted with henna.

Japan: Brides change their outfit several times during the day. (The perfect excuse to hit the shops.)

Italy: Guests cut up the groom's tie, then sell the pieces to help fund their honeymoon.

Latvia: Brides are 'kidnapped', and the groom has to pay a ransom (a song or a round of drinks) to get her back.

Finland: The groom's mother balances a china plate on top of her head when the newly-weds begin their first dance. The number of pieces it breaks into when it falls predicts how many children the couple will have.

Germany: Couples hang objects on a 'bride's tree'. A teapot, for instance, represents hospitality.

Britain: It's considered lucky for a chimney sweep to come to the wedding and kiss the bride. The tradition stems from when King George III reigned. The King's horses ran out of control and a chimney sweep stepped in to save him. The King proclaimed, by Royal Decree, all sweeps were good luck bearers and should be treated with respect.

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