Stealing the Groom’s Shoes: A Fun Indian Wedding Tradition

Get friends and family involved with this playful Indian wedding tradition

 

There’s a lot to love about a big Indian wedding, but one of our favorite traditions is when the bride’s family steals the groom’s shoes during the ceremony! If this is your first time hearing of this delightful wedding prank, you’re in for a treat. 

 

This playful wedding tradition originates in South Asia, and is called “Joota Chupai” in Hindi, which aptly translates to “shoe hiding” or “shoe theft.” It’s a perfect fit for traditional or multicultural weddings.

 

 

(Photo: Graphic Gears / iStock)

 

 

Here’s how the shoe-hiding wedding tradition usually unfolds: 

 

The couple to be married removes their shoes before stepping into the mandap, the decorated altar with a canopy that’s used to celebrate Hindu weddings. As the ceremony begins, a relative of the bride will cleverly sneak over and steal the groom’s shoes. The shoes are carefully hidden, sometimes behind lock and key, and the groom must pay a ransom after the ceremony to get them back! 

 

Depending on the families, the ransom might be a small symbolic amount – say $100 or so – or a large payment that helps cover the cost of the wedding. It’s a fun way to get family members involved, and to share the financial responsibilities for a big, festive event. 

 

And although it’s a traditionally gendered custom, it doesn’t have to be! Same-sex and same-gender couples can easily get in on the fun too – with either partner’s family hiding the other’s shoes. 

 

Related: Read about another fun wedding shoe traditon! This Czech Christmas Tradition Predicts When You’ll Get Married

 

 

(Photo: Irina / Adobe Stock)

 

 

Include the Joota Chupai tradition in your own wedding with these helpful tips to ensure everyone has a fun time: 

 

• Get kids involved

 

This is a great opportunity for a younger child to participate in the wedding celebration. Children can be less intrusive (they’re smaller and always running around anyway) and they’ll love the chance to be sneaky. Even better, let the kids plan the theft on their own! 

 

Related: New Kids’ Book About Weddings, Love & Wedding Officiants!

 

 

• Get playfully competitive 

 

Some families love to make the shoe theft as challenging and exciting as possible. Maybe you have to steal the groom’s shoes while he’s wearing them, or maybe someone in the groom’s family switches sides and double crosses him! The level of strategy and subterfuge is up to you. 

 

• Make it a fun wedding reception activity

 

Instead of charging a ransom, make finding the hidden shoes a scavenger hunt that the whole family can enjoy during the reception! Hide clues with elders from each side of the family, and encourage members from both sides of the guest list to mingle, collaborate, and laugh together.

 

So what do you think? Do you love the Joota Chupai tradition as much as we do? Will you be hiding the groom’s shoes at your next wedding?

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If you’re looking for more Indian wedding traditions for your traditional or multicultural celebration, check out these additional resources: 

 

• 6 Hindu Wedding Rituals You Might See at a Big Indian Ceremony
   
• Rainy Wedding Day Superstition (from 5 Lucky Wedding Traditions from Around the World)

 

• Red Wedding Dresses: Symbolism and Modern Meanings
   
• Would You Sell Tickets to Your Wedding? A Curious New Tourism Trend in Indian Weddings…
   
• An Intro to Interfaith & Interspiritual Wedding Ceremonies

 

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