Married couple's first kiss
It is a Western custom for a newly married couple to exchange a kiss at the conclusion of their wedding ceremony.
Picture By Life Moments Media. Tonderai Gondwa and Menory Rufaro Mataruka enjoy their wedding kiss.
Picture By Life Moments Media. Tonderai Gondwa and Menory Rufaro Mataruka enjoy their wedding kiss.
Some Christians hold the belief that the kiss symbolizes the exchange of souls between the bride and the groom, fulfilling the scripture that “the two shall become one flesh.”

Primrose Moyo and Gibson Chibika
Picture captured by Life Moments Media. Primrose Moyo and Gibson Chibika
However, some trace the tradition to an ancient Roman tradition, whereby the exchange of a kiss signified the completion of a contract. Although the kiss is not a formal requirement of the ceremony, most regard the gesture as a joyful start of the marriage.
Tatenda Mugwambi and Nomusa Nyauchi
Picture By Life Moments Media.Tatenda Mugwambi and Nomusa Nyauchi celebrate their day with a kiss.
The most traditional way guests entice the new couple to kiss is by clinking their glasses. An ancient Christian tradition explains that the clinking sound scares the devil away and the couple kisses in his absence. Another tradition is to ring bells placed at the tables by the wedding party. A ring of the bell signals the bride and groom to kiss. Today, most people uphold these traditions as a fun excuse to get the couple to smooch.