ALT-1 The Origins of Common Wedding Traditions
There are a number of prevalent wedding traditions kept and adhered to by many who decide to wed today. Many do this out of wanting familiarity or to go along with the norm. However, not everyone knows the interesting history behind the traditions they choose to follow. This article delves into the origins of some of the most popular wedding traditions practiced around the world today.
- The white dress
Whether women marry in a church, registry office or some other place, no one can deny the most popular of wedding dress colors; the white wedding dress.
In 1840 England, blue was the common wedding dress color for brides, however when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, she wore a white wedding dress and it was a welcomed surprise. Since then many brides around Europe and America copied her, and that is where this tradition originates. It became the fashion to wear a white dress following the trend set by the Queen.
- Bouquet of flowers
It is customary to bride’s today holding a bouquet of fresh flowers. They are often held by her throughout the marriage ceremony and in many cultures, especially in the West the bride throws the bouquet behind her. It is said that the one who then catches the bouquet will be the next one to marry.
This tradition is said to have originated in England or medieval Europe. Brides were regarded as lucky on their wedding days and so after the wedding ceremony had taken place, many women would rush to tear a piece of the bride’s dress or whatever they could get as a lucky charm. With time, bride’s obviously got tired of this, and so in an attempt to distract the hordes of women that would charge at them brides started to throw their garters. After time, a bouquet of flowers was substituted for the garters.
- The veil
It is a common tradition for brides to have a net veil attached to their head-piece which covers the face.
There are two origins for this tradition. Roman brides used to wear red veils to ward off evil spirits on their wedding day. In medieval Europe, lifting the veil by the groom was done to symbolize him taking the wife as his possession.
- The cake
After a wedding ceremony, a cake is usually present, often ones with many tiers. It is a common tradition today that the bride and groom cut a piece of cake together.
In ancient Rome the groom would smash a barley cake over his brides head showing that he had control over her. The tiered cake common today however is said to originate from medieval Europe where a pile of sweet buns were layered in front of the bride and groom as they married and they had to kiss over the pile without knocking any of the buns down.
It is always interesting to find out the origins for common traditions practiced by the masses, such as the common wedding traditions practiced by many around the world today. Traditions often get passed on and followed and sometimes lose meaning or the symbolization first intended. Most of these wedding practices today are done for different reasons and to follow the standard in getting married.
