As wedding traditions go the Romans had some interesting things that kind of translate into today's traditions. Instead of bachelor/bachelorette parties the bride was part of a staged kidnapping where she was taken from her folk's home to the home of her future husband with the entourage singing bawdy songs along the way. It was also customary to throw nuts both during the trip and later at the wedding. Walnuts were the preferred nuts and they were also tossed at the couple before and after the wedding ceremony much like rice in modern times. The walnuts were a sign of fertility and the sound they made when they hit the ground was a good omen. Even considering the cultural differences a wedding could turn into a hazardous occasion if anyone at the wedding got overly zealous with the walnut throwing custom and never mind the outcome if alcohol was involved!
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