Even though Western traditions have seeped into wedding celebrations around the world, there are some interesting nuptial-related traditions that are unique to specific cultures.

In India, the bride and groom ride through the streets on elephants. That is not likely to be a common sight at most weddings (although Nicole Richie did have one at her wedding in Beverly Hills,) but Dubai event planner Sophie Bogdis has been asked to do some crazy stuff for weddings.

Wedding Planner Requests

“The most unusual request I’ve had when planning a wedding was to provide mime statues, live humans painted in gold, as a pathway to the alter,” said Bogdis, owner of Special Occasions who has planned weddings for a wide cultural range of clients from Emiratis and Iranians to Australians and Europeans.