Caribbean Wedding Traditions That No Longer Exist

Weddings in the Caribbean have always been more than just unions between two people—they were community celebrations infused with heritage, symbolism, and a spirit of togetherness. Yet, as the region modernizes and embraces global trends, many traditional customs that once defined Caribbean weddings have quietly faded into history. While some linger in pockets of rural communities or among older generations, most are rarely practiced today.

Let’s look back at a few of these Caribbean wedding traditions that no longer exist.

1. The “Jumping the Broom” Ritual

A practice rooted in African heritage, jumping the broom was once a symbolic act in Caribbean weddings, especially among enslaved Africans who were forbidden to marry legally. By leaping over a broom laid on the ground, couples marked the start of their union while also sweeping away the past.

Today, this ritual has largely disappeared in the Caribbean, though it has seen a revival in some African American weddings abroad. In most Caribbean weddings now, legal and church ceremonies have replaced this ancestral tradition.

2. Community “Throwing of the Wedding”

Before the era of expensive event planners and resort weddings, marriages were considered communal affairs. In rural Jamaica, Barbados, and other islands, neighbors often “threw the wedding,” pooling together food, drinks, and decorations. Families contributed home-cooked dishes—goat curry, rice and peas, baked bread—and local musicians provided entertainment. Today, weddings are more private, often funded solely by the couple or their families, leaving behind the sense of collective responsibility that once defined the celebration.

3. The Wedding Procession on Foot

In earlier times, especially in villages, it was common for the bride, groom, and wedding party to walk through the community in a lively procession. Villagers lined the roads, singing folk songs and playing drums, flutes, or banjos as the bride made her way to the ceremony. This custom has all but disappeared, replaced by motorcades of cars and luxury vehicles. The colorful street parades—full of song and rhythm—are now only remembered in old wedding tales.

4. Traditional “Cake Walk” and Black Cake Distribution

While black cake (a rich fruitcake soaked in rum and wine) remains a staple at many Caribbean weddings, the custom of the cake walk has nearly vanished. In this tradition, a lavishly decorated cake would be paraded around the village before being cut, symbolizing the community’s blessing of the marriage. In some islands, slices of wedding cake were sent to relatives and friends who could not attend, wrapped in parchment and tied with ribbon. Today, the ritual of distributing cake to absent guests is rare, and the ceremonial walk has disappeared entirely.

5. Weddings Lasting Several Days

Caribbean weddings of the past weren’t just one-day events—they often stretched over several days of feasting, singing, and dancing. In some communities, celebrations began days before the ceremony, with relatives traveling from afar, and continued afterward with games, storytelling, and drumming into the night. This extended festivity has given way to modern schedules, where couples often host a single-day event followed by a short reception before heading off on honeymoon.

6. Dowry and Bride Price Traditions

Although influenced by African and European customs, dowries and bride price payments were once practiced in parts of the Caribbean. Families of the groom sometimes offered livestock, land, or money to secure the bride’s hand, while the bride’s family prepared a dowry of linens, cookware, or handmade items to support the couple. With time, as social structures shifted and women gained more independence, these customs disappeared. Today, marriage is seen less as a family alliance and more as a personal choice between partners.

7. “Tying of the Hands” with Ribbon or Rope

In some communities, couples symbolized their union through the ritual of handfasting—their hands tied together with ribbon, rope, or cloth, representing the binding of their lives. This practice, a blend of African and European symbolism, is rarely seen today, replaced by the simple exchange of rings.

8. The Entire Village as Witnesses

In small island villages, weddings once meant everyone was invited. Attendance was not restricted to a select guest list; rather, the entire community was expected to join. The wedding meal was cooked in large pots outdoors, with everyone partaking. Today’s weddings, with their curated guest lists and expensive catering, stand in stark contrast to the inclusivity of past generations.

Why These Traditions Disappeared

The disappearance of these customs is tied to many factors: urbanization, migration, modernization of churches, the influence of Western wedding trends, and the rise of destination weddings at luxury resorts. While modernization brought sophistication and convenience, it also shifted the cultural meaning of weddings—from a communal rite of passage to a more commercialized, private affair.

Preserving the Memory

Although many of these practices no longer exist, they remain an important part of Caribbean cultural history. Understanding them not only connects us to our past but also reminds us of the values—community, togetherness, and cultural pride—that shaped the region’s identity.

Perhaps, in the future, younger generations may revive some of these lost customs, blending them with modern celebrations to keep Caribbean wedding heritage alive.

What about you? Did your parents or grandparents tell you stories of wedding traditions that don’t happen anymore? Share them with us in the comments—your stories might inspire others to reconnect with our Caribbean roots.