International Wedding Food Traditions

Bermuda

Wedding cakes in Bermuda are often topped with a sapling that the couple later plants in their garden. The tree grows alongside their relationship, becoming stronger with every passing year.

Source: Sacha Blackburne Photography

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China

Chinese wedding banquets consist of eight courses, each signifying good fortune for the couple. Peking duck often makes an appearance, not only because of its red color (which symbolizes happiness), but also because ducks mate for life. It is often served alongside a chicken dish to represent the balance between the couple in their new relationship. The whole bird (including head and feet) is served with the dish to signify completeness.

Source: Shutterstock

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Denmark and Norway

In Denmark and Norway, brides and grooms celebrate with a kransekake, a cone-shaped cake made of almonds, sugar, and egg whites. The structure is actually assembled from many concentric rings stacked and held together with icing.

Source: Tom Tomkinson

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England

Fruitcake, which is often avoided during the holiday season, remains an important wedding tradition in England. Not all fruitcakes are frumpy: the elegant wedding cake served at the royal wedding reception was — you guessed it — a fruitcake!

Source: Flickr user Brett Jordan

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France

French couples often forgo a traditional cake in favor of a croquembouche (or croque-en-bouche): cream puffs assembled into a teetering tower, held together with sugar. It was once believed that if a bride and groom could kiss over the top of a towering croquembouche without knocking it over, they would enjoy a prosperous life together.

Source: Manchik Photography

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Italy

In Italy, wedding guests each receive five sugared almonds, which represent different wishes for the bride and groom: health, happiness, wealth, fertility, and longevity. The almonds also serve to remind the couple that life has both a bitter side and a sweet one!

Source: Flickr user chrisjtse

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Mexico

Delicious Mexican wedding cookies are served at wedding banquets in Mexico. The butter and sugar in these treats symbolize the richness of love and togetherness. The cookies are also rolled in powdered sugar, which represents purity.

Source: Flickr user B*2

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South Korea

In South Korea, the bride and groom's families toss chestnuts and dried dates to the couple, which the bride attempts to catch in the skirt of her gown. It is believed that the fruits and nuts gathered in her gown represent the number of children that the couple will bear.

Source: Flickr user Drab Makyo

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