Wedding Traditions Explained
Weddings are filled with traditions and customs. Some of those traditions have been around since ancient times and are incorporated into modern day weddings in creative ways. It is fun to see how couples put their own unique twist on these traditions.
You might wonder how some of the common wedding traditions came about. Here are a few you might recognize that originated long, long ago:
- "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, luck sixpence in her shoe."
This bridal custom dates back to Victorian times. The “old” item refers to the bride’s link to her past life; her original family. The “new” item represents the new life she is stepping into.
The “borrowed” item is usually something taken from a friend or relative who is already happily married; the supposition being that the happiness will rub off on the new bride. The color “blue” represents fidelity, love and purity and is generally the color of the garter worn by the bride.
The “lucky sixpence in her shoe” signifies wealth, not only in finances, but a wealth of happiness as well. Most new brides today would not thnk of foregoing this fanciful wedding tradition of "something old, something new . . ."
- Not seeing each other before the wedding
This custom dates by to the days of arranged marriages. Supposedly, not viewing the bride would eliminate the possibility of the groom absconding in the event he did not like the looks of the bride who had been picked out for him.
- Bridal bouquet
The very first bridal bouquets were not made of flowers, but rather herbs and garlic, designed to ward off evil spirits.
- Throwing rice
Rice was considered “life giving” seed and throwing it at the departing bride and groom symbolized a wish for them to be blessed with fertility and many children.
- Bridal Shower
The first bridal shower ever given was to a bride in Holland whose dowry was withheld because her intended was of lowly status. The guests “showered” her with everything she would need to set up a home.
Trail of cans behind the bridal car
In olden days superstitious guests would bang pots and pans together to make a loud noise, potentially scaring off evil spirits. That custom has been replaced in modern times by tin cans tied to the back of the bridal car that rattle upon the couple’s departure for their honeymoon.
Bridal garter
The bridal garter is a modern day take-off on the old English custom of the“flinging the stocking” game. Guests would invade the bridal suite, steal the bride’s stockings and fling them at the couple. The first guest to land a stocking on the bride or groom’s nose would be the next to get married.
Wedding ring
The circular gold or silver band signifies eternal love and commitment that has no beginning and no end. Early brides rings were composed of iron, with the metal symbolizing the strength of the committment being entered into by the couple. Egyptians believed that the third finger of the left hand held the “vein” leading directly to the heart. Today’s couples extend the tradition with double ring ceremonies.
Current day ceremonies and receptions all contain elements of these oldwedding traditions and customs, albeit, modernized and customized to suit today’s lifestyles.
The one old time wedding custom that remains the same, and cannot be improved upon, is the loving well-wishes for everlasting happiness extended to the bride and groom by family and friends who attend the wedding ceremony and celebration.
