The German pre-wedding event where guests smash porcelain for the couple to clean up is called Polterabend.
Polterabend traditionally takes place before a wedding, often on the evening before the ceremony. Guests bring old porcelain or earthenware and break it outside the couple’s home or at another gathering place. The engaged couple then sweeps up the fragments together.
The custom is commonly explained through the German saying “Scherben bringen Glück,” meaning “shards bring luck.” Cleaning the debris also represents the couple’s ability to work together and deal with difficulties. Glass is generally avoided because broken glass is associated with bad luck in this tradition.
Polterabend should not be confused with a conventional bachelor or bachelorette party. It is a distinct German custom, although modern celebrations may combine elements of several pre-wedding events. Regional practice and the timing of the gathering can vary.