Wednesday

Polterabend is a German tradition held on an evening before the wedding. Guests (family, friends, and colleagues) bring pottery (plates, cups, sinks, and toilet bowls) and smash them, as this is believed to bring good luck to the couple. The saying goes: "Shards bring luck" (German: Scherben bringen Glück). In earlier times, the Polterabend often took place in front of the bride's home (or her parents' home). Nowadays, a venue near where the bride lives is often rented. This evening is usually more informal than the actual wedding. The couple typically wears new clothes to the Polterabend. After the guests have smashed the pottery, the couple sweeps up the shards together. The origin of the Polterabend is not exactly known. Some believe that Germanic tribes threw shards to ward off evil spirits. Others believe it was a pagan ritual, as an offering to the gods.