Unconventional customs prevail at a German wedding: saws, spades, and scissors take center stage.
In a departure from the formal speeches common in many English-speaking weddings, German nuptials are known for their unique and often playful games that bring laughter, excitement, and genuine connection to the celebration.
One such tradition is the "Brautentführung," or bride kidnapping. During this game, friends of the groom discreetly "kidnap" the bride during the reception and take her to a nearby pub or bar. The groom must then track her down using clues and win her back by paying the bill or completing a humorous challenge. This game, popular in Bavaria and Austria, adds an element of excitement and communal fun to the celebration.
Another traditional game is "Polterabend," a pre-wedding custom that involves smashing porcelain to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. The noisy and playful gathering builds anticipation for the wedding day.
The "Log sawing" game, "Baumstamm sägen," is another beloved tradition. The bride and groom work together to saw through a log, symbolizing their cooperation and teamwork in marriage. This activity is participatory and entertaining for both guests and the couple. Interestingly, this game can potentially lead to the bride and groom's first argument, adding a touch of realism to the festivities.
German weddings also feature games that can be physically challenging, such as "Pencil-in-the-bottle" (Bleistift-in-die-Flasche), where the bride and groom squat, sway, and wiggle to drop a pencil into a glass bottle. Another game, "Cutting a wedding heart out of a blanket" (Hochzeitsherz ausschneiden), involves the bride and groom racing to cut a heart out of a blanket or bedsheet with nail scissors.
These games serve a purpose similar to speeches at weddings in the English-speaking world, providing an opportunity for friends and family to tease the bride and groom and for the couple to show they don't take themselves too seriously. However, it's worth noting that some games may involve personal revelations that could potentially surprise or traumatize guests.
In contrast to English weddings, German weddings do not typically include speeches from the best man, groom, or father of the bride. Instead, the games are a main feature at German weddings, providing entertainment for guests and engaging the bride and groom.
While these games may be less elegant than speeches, they still serve a similar purpose in creating memorable moments filled with laughter and genuine connection. The games at German weddings have a long tradition and can vary between events, reflecting the joyous spirit of these celebrations.
Other unique traditions at German weddings include underwear burning in Münster, wreath-weaving in East Frisia, hay-strewing in Goethe's Faust, and bride kidnapping in Bavaria. These traditions, along with the playful games, make German weddings a truly unique and memorable experience.
The bride and groom's playful interactions during the "Brautentführung" game create a lively atmosphere, bringing excitement to their home-and-garden-style celebration. In the tradition of "Polterabend," friends and family come together for a noisy gathering, breathing life into the home-and-garden setting as they smash porcelain in anticipation of the wedding day.
