A couple poses with traditional Norse items. Photo Credit: Sherlynrijos

The Vikings were Scandinavian sailors who traded, raided, and settled throughout Europe between the 8th and 11th centuries. Their culture brings to mind the warrior spirit with a taste of adventure.

When you peel back the layers of this unique culture, you’ll find stunning wedding traditions that have been adopted by others and kept alive for centuries.

Whether you have Norse blood in your veins or are looking to incorporate other cultures on your big day, here’s everything you need to know about amazing Viking wedding traditions.

Important Viking Symbols and Their Meanings

In Viking or Norse culture, there are many symbols associated with marriage that are believed to bring good fortune and longevity to any union.

One way symbols are incorporated into a Norse wedding is through wedding ring design. Braided designs represent the intertwining of two lives for eternity.

Runes also play a big role in Viking weddings. Couples would engrave runes that represented fertility, love, and safety.

Triskels, or triangular Celtic knots, are popular decor items found at Viking weddings. These items symbolize everlasting life.

Families would place two triskels together to form a Serch Bythol, which creates a symbol of undying love and devotion. This is thought to bless the marriage.

Pre-Wedding Ceremony Traditions

Hand-fasting

This important gesture can occur as an engagement vow or during the wedding ceremony itself, depending on the couple’s preference. During this ritual, the couple will stand facing each other as their hands are tied together with cord, ribbon, or fabric strips.

They then recite their vows or promises to one another as they look into each other’s eyes. Afterwards, the couple may exchange gifts or rings, depending on when in the wedding process they have completed this ritual.

Frigga’s Day

In the past, Viking weddings were held on Friday to honor the goddess Frigga. The wife of Odin, she represents all things love, marriage, fertility, and motherhood. It’s said that Friday is named for her, so many Viking couples would hold their ceremony on Fridays.

Bathing Ritual

Prior to the ceremony, the bride will wash away her maidenhood by taking part in a bathing ritual. She will go to a sauna or a hot spring that would make her “sweat out” her old life. She will emerge from the bath a new woman, ready to face her new adventure.

Traditional Viking Wedding Clothing

Traditional Viking wedding attire includes furs, flowy shapes, and braided hairstyles. Photo Credit: Diario de una Novia

Bride

In the past, bridal dresses for Vikings were made of silk, wool, and linen. They often were lined with fur and contained hoods, as well as other warm elements. Yellow was a popular color choice for wedding dresses because it represents wealth and abundance in the union.

Today, Viking bridal dresses are more about the shape than the materials. The Renaissance-inspired dress style is flattering on all body types!

Brides looking for a Viking vibe should look for laced bodices, flowy sleeves, and a splash of blue. That’s because the combination of blue and white symbolizes faithfulness and everlasting loyalty.

Groom

Ancient Viking grooms often wore tunics and leggings with a rich fur cape on their shoulders. Modern grooms can channel their Viking heritage by choosing earth-toned suits with interesting textiles and textures.

If the groom is looking for pops of color, red and green are popular colors. Red reflects the emotional depth of the union while green will bless the marriage with a fruitful union.

Hair Braiding

Braids are an important part of Norse culture, so brides and long-haired grooms will braid their hair in a variety of meaningful patterns.

Brides will often sport a braided crown atop loose, flowing locks. They will decorate their hair with flowers, ribbons, leather cords, and metal decorations stamped with runes. Grooms with long hair will sport braids as well, incorporating leather cording and wooden beads for a masculine look.

Both may wear meaningful headpieces as well adorned with icons of Thor's hammer, antlers, and delicate chains. These pieces will be kept as heirlooms and passed down to future generations who want to embrace their Nordic heritage.

Rituals During the Wedding Ceremony

A couple pours offerings to Odin and Frigga. Photo Credit: OKChicas.

Officiated by a Gothi

Viking weddings are often led by a Gothi or a political or social leader in the community.

This could be leaders in the Pagan church or simply a prominent member of the community who plans events and holds everyone together. They will conduct the ceremony and all rituals according to the couple’s wishes.

Blessings from Thor

Thor is the god of thunder and represents fertility. During the wedding ceremony, the bride will hold a replica of Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, in her lap. She will ask for Thor’s blessings in hopes of having a happy marriage with lots of children.

The bride and groom may also wear headpieces or jewelry that feature miniature versions of the hammer as good luck charms for a fruitful marriage.

Exchanging Swords

Since weddings are about united families as well as couples, the groom will present the bride with a sword from one of his ancestors.

The bride would also give a sword to symbolize the exchange of protection both families will offer each other now that the happy couple are together.

Post Wedding Traditions

A newlywed couple drinks from horns at their Viking-themed wedding reception. Photo Credit: Rock N Roll Brides.

Racing to the Reception

Also known as the bruðhlaup, the bride running occurs after the vows are exchanged. The bride and groom’s families will race each other to the wedding reception.

Whoever loses this good-natured race will have to serve drinks to the winning family first and for the rest of the event.

Symbel: The Wedding Feast

Viking wedding feasts are full of food, drinks, and merriment. Guests are served fish, roasted pork, grilled vegetables, and other local items. All dishes are served family style.

Typically, guests will sit at one long table with the bride and groom seated side by side at the head. The closer you are to the bride and groom, the more meaningful your relationship is.

Drinking Mead

It wouldn’t be a Viking wedding without mead and bridal ale! These signature alcoholic drinks are always flowing at these events. The bride and groom will share a “loving cup” to further symbolize their love and devotion to each other.

Traditionally, guests would drink from Viking horns during the ceremony. Of course, modern-day weddings will use glasses, but these horns would make excellent favors for guests!

Guests Speak

Like many traditional weddings, the Vikings would invite important family members to give speeches about the happy couple and offer blessings.

As guests listen to the speeches, they will offer toasts, call out praise, and bang the table with their fists when they agree with what the speaker is saying. So it’s not your traditional speech!

Traditional Entertainment

Viking entertainment typically includes archery, throwing competitions, and mock sword fights. Couples may also hire people to give rune tattoos or craft custom Viking jewelry throughout the reception.

Guests may also participate in a fun game that will have the bride and groom locking lips all night long. Whenever guests clink their glasses with a fork, the couples must stand and kiss. If guests stomp their feet, the couple must kiss under the table!

Traditional Viking Wedding Gifts

Gifts are an important part of many weddings, and Viking ceremonies were no different. Guests are expected to bring a token for the bride and groom that will set them on the best path toward their new life together.

Jewelry is a popular gift, as it helps enhance the couple’s wealth and status. Since Viking jewelry is often engraved with runes, blessings, and important symbols, these pieces also act as items of protection and luck.

Guests can also give the couple symbolic decor items that the couple can display in their new home. Tapestries depicting Norse myths, carved wooden items, and custom wooden furniture are popular.

Another great traditional Viking wedding gift is a honeymoon basket. This would include everything the couple would need to enjoy their honeymoon. For a modern basket, items like a travel journal, gift cards, wine, or maps of their destination would be both useful and meaningful.

Of course, money is always an acceptable gift for a newlywed couple. Numbers in multiples of three are considered lucky, so the amount should reflect that!

Conclusion

Vikings are known as fierce warriors. But they were also fiercely loyal when it came to their life partners. Their unique, meaningful wedding traditions have withstood the test of time and are still used by couples around the world.

When incorporating traditions into your own wedding, remember to be respectful of the culture. Take the time to honor where the rituals come from and make note of how meaningful they are to you and those who came before you.

A Glimpse Into Viking Wedding Traditions