Totally Bananas: Fun & Quirky Wedding Trivia ๐ช
Think you've seen it all when it comes to wedding weirdness? Think again! ๐คฏ From couples getting married in zero gravity to laws requiring grooms to kill blackbirds before they can wed, the world of matrimony is full of absolutely bonkers traditions, record-breaking stunts, and head-scratching legal requirements that'll make your "normal" wedding look pretty tame.
Get ready for some seriously strange wedding facts that'll have your guests laughing, gasping, and questioning everything they thought they knew about saying "I do!" ๐คต๐ฐ
๐๏ธ Ancient Cake Chaos
What did ancient Romans do with wedding cake?
Answer: B) Broke it over the bride's head for luck
Ancient Roman wedding cakes were basically wheat or barley weapons! The groom would smash the cake over his bride's head to symbolize her submission, the end of her purity, and to bring good luck and fertility. Guests would then scramble to collect the crumbs for their own good fortune. Talk about a messy ceremony! Modern cake cutting is definitely an improvement over head-smashing. ๐ (Reference)
What horrifying ingredients were in a 1685 'Bride's Pye' recipe?
Answer: B) Oysters, lamb testicles, and rooster combs
The 1685 recipe for Bride's Pye was an absolute nightmare of ingredients: oysters, lamb testicles, throat, rooster combs, and pine kernels! Even better, some versions included live birds or a snake that would pop out when guests cut the pie. It was considered extremely rude and bad luck not to eat a sliceโeven one filled with testicles and thyroid. Thank goodness for modern wedding cake flavors! ๐คข (Reference)
๐ Extreme Wedding Venues
What unusual venue has hosted weddings featuring 94-foot blue whales and dinosaur displays?
Answer: B) American Museum of Natural History
Couples can get married under a 94-foot blue whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, surrounded by dinosaur skeletons and natural history exhibits! Guests can sip cocktails in the Cullman Hall of the Universe and have dinner among the museum's incredible displays. Nothing says "eternal love" like exchanging vows next to a T-Rex skeleton and oceanic giants! ๐ฆ (Reference)
๐ Bizarre Wedding Laws
In 1771 Cape Cod, what must single men do before they're allowed to marry?
Answer: B) Kill six blackbirds or three crows
This absolutely bonkers law from 1771 required every single man in Truro, Cape Cod to kill six blackbirds or three crows before getting married! The law was created because birds were eating crops, but it became a bizarre rite of passage for grooms. Imagine having to explain that requirement on your pre-marriage checklist. "Honey, before we can get married, I need to go bird hunting..." ๐ฆ (Reference)
In which US state can you get married without either the bride OR groom being present?
Answer: C) Montana
Montana allows "double proxy" marriages where neither the bride nor groom needs to be physically present! Two stand-ins can get married on behalf of the actual couple. This became especially popular during the COVID pandemic and for military personnel stationed overseas. You could literally get married while sitting in different statesโor even different countries! ๐ (Reference)
๐ญ Record-Breaking Wedding Weirdness
What's the Guinness World Record for most bridesmaids at a single wedding?
Answer: C) 168 bridesmaids
Tina Ackles from Floriday broke the record with 168 bridesmaids at her 2015 wedding! The wedding took place at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa in Florida, USA. Imagine trying to coordinate 168 bridesmaidsโthe group photos alone must have taken forever! ๐ (Reference)
How many red roses did Chinese groom Xiao Wang buy for his bride's wedding?
Answer: C) 99,999 roses
Xiao Wang spent a year's salary on 99,999 red roses for his bride Xiao Liu, because 999 is considered lucky in China! The couple needed 30 cars to transport all the flowers to the ceremony, and they advertised online for car owners to help stick flowers on the vehicles. The roses were flown in from across the country. Now that's what you call flower power! ๐น (Reference)
๐คช Worldwide Wedding Weirdness
In which country must the bride and groom remain completely emotionless throughout their entire wedding ceremony?
Answer: B) Congo
In some Congolese cultures, the bride and groom cannot smile, laugh, or show any emotion during their wedding ceremony! Showing joy indicates they're not taking marriage seriously enough. Imagine trying to keep a straight face while saying "I do" to the love of your life. This has to be one of the most challenging wedding traditions everโno giggling allowed! ๐ (Reference)
What do German brides and grooms traditionally do together after their wedding ceremony?
Answer: B) Saw a log in half with a dual saw
German couples traditionally use a dual saw to cut a log in half together while still in their wedding attire! Called "Baumstammsรคgen," this symbolizes how they'll work together to overcome challenges in their marriage. If they can cooperate to saw through wood in fancy clothes, they can handle anything life throws at them. It's basically the ultimate teamwork test! ๐ช (Reference)