Euro traditions

For although we now belong to a unified community, uniformity isn't in it when Euro-couples tie the knot.

Virginal white for the bride and joyful tears among her relatives are about the only common traits in this happy, emotional area of the Common Market.

Even nuptial ceremonies themselves can be as different as Roquefort and Red Leicester; just think of the faiths now enriching European culture - Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, to name but a few.

With our French neighbours, Roman Catholicism prevails. Couples customarily arrive at church together. Then, instead of the bride being given away, the groom's mother or grandmere gives him away! After they've been joined, there is a nuptial mass, a blessing and everyone moves off to the reception, often held in a local restaurant.

A Spanish bride traditionally carries a bouquet of orange blossom and is collected by her husband-to-be. They walk up the aisle arm-in-arm. The bride is formally given away by her padrino (father) and the groom by his godmother or parents. As they leave the church they are showered with rice.

At the reception, usually held outside in the warm sunshine, guests eat anything from paella to roast lamb or herbal cod. No speeches are made but there may well be a toast to the couple's happiness. A honeymoon in the Balearic Islands is very popular.

Wedding-eve parties deliberately noisy enough to scare off evil spirits are common in Germany. Friends and neighbours attend this 'gabenabend' (gift evening) with presents of ham and chicken.

The wedding itself must legally include a registry office ceremony. This is usually followed by a church service, with the couple sometimes arriving by hochzeitkutsche (wedding coach) driven by a black-suited man with a top hat.

Receptions can be anything from afternoon coffee to a full-scale dinner dance. The bride is often 'stolen' and found in a nearby inn drinking with her 'robbers'; the groom foots the booze bill! Most couples like to honeymoon within Italy. Continental couples can find themselves surrounded by well-wishing local people on their wedding day.

An Italian government official observed: "I think we are a little more community-minded on such occasions than you British." Crowning of the bride-and-groom is a central feature of the Greek Orthodox service, a serious but not solemn ritual.

Afterwards, those present adjourn to the nearest taverna for feasting, bouzouki dancing and a spot of occasional plate-smashing! With Hindu communities in Europe, priests consult couples' horoscopes for the most favourable wedding day.

The bride wears a red sari decorated with 'good luck' gold thread plus gold jewellery on her wrists and ankles. Her hands and feet are pattern-painted with henna.

A sacred flame burns as the couples face each other under the temple canopy. A cord placed across their shoulders signifies that they are joined together.

Muslim weddings are usually arranged by a couple's parents, involve a dowry for the bride and mostly take place at home.

Bride and groom traditionally adopt shameez (tunics) and shalwar (trousers). They sit in separate rooms, where the bride declares her wish to marry the groom and he signs a marriage contract.

The couple do not meet until after the ceremony, which includes promises to Allah, prayers and a blessing.