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Wedding traditions can be fun, especially when you know where they developed. Of course, this is your wedding and reception, and you can choose which, if any, to use. You can start your own family's traditions! Here are a few traditions from around the world.
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Wedding Traditions and Superstitions
Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold
There seem to be two explanations for this tradition where the groom carries his bride over the threshold when entering their home as a married couple for the first time. The first is to protect the bride from evil spirits that were thought to be lying in wait under the threshold.
The second explanation comes from the times of the Romans, when men ALWAYS opened doors for ladies. This would just seem like a natural thing to do, but yes, even this has significant meaning. It is considered bad luck for the bride to trip or stumble as she crosses the threshold of her new house, and, if it were to happen, the marriage would be doomed to failure.
So, to combat this, the groom would carry his bride over the threshold, making sure she didn't trip. If the groom tripped however, well, no superstition will act against them, (although we haven't established the likely outcome, but I wouldn't want to be the bride he fell on!)The Ring Finger
A bride's engagement ring and wedding ring are traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand (the finger next to your little finger). Although there is no precise evidence to explain the origin of this tradition, there are three strongly held beliefs.
The first, dating back to the 3rd. century Greece, is that the ring finger was the index finger. In India it was the thumb.
The second, from the 17th century, is that during a Christian wedding the priest arrived at the forth finger (counting the thumb) after touching the three fingers on the left hand '...in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost'.
The third belief refers to an Egyptian or possibly Greek belief that the ring finger follows the vena amoris, that is, the vein of love that runs directly to the heart.Why is Rain on your Wedding Day lucky?
It is said that a wet knot is more difficult to untie.The Wedding Ring
In early Rome gold was highly prized. A gold band came to symbolize eternity, everlasting love and commitment in marriage. Ancient rings were forged of iron, to last forever like marriage. Roman wedding rings were carved with two clasped hands. Very early rings had a carved key through which a woman was thought to be able to open her husband's heart.The Engagement Ring
In 860 A.D., Pope Nicholas I decreed that an engagement ring become a required statement of nuptial intent. He insisted that engagement rings had to be made of gold which signified a financial sacrifice on the part of the prospective husband.
During the Roman era, the man had to barter for his future bride. The engagement ring was security for the betrothed.
The tradition of the diamond engagement ring comes from the 15th. century Venetians. Since the diamond was the hardest and most enduring substance in nature it followed that the engagement and marriage would endure forever.Bridal Flowers
The carrying of flowers by the bride has its roots in ancient times when it was believed that strong smelling herbs and spices would ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health. Garlic and chives were also popular for the same reason. During Roman times, this tradition was extended, with the bride and groom wearing floral garlands signifying new life and hope for fertility. The bouquet in particular symbolized a women in bloom. During Victorian times, flowers took on an additional significance as lovers would send messages to each other using different flowers, with each flower having its own meaning. These associations were soon adopted for the bride's bouquet and are still used today by many brides. The most popular flowers with their traditional meanings are:
Apple Blossom - Better things to come Rose (coral) - Desire Camelia - Graditude Rose (peach) - Modesty Carnation - Fascination and love Rose (dark pink) - Thankfulness Chrysanthemum - Red - I love you Rose (pale pink) - Grace Chrysanthemum - White - Truth Rose (orange) - Fascination Cyclamen - Modesty and shyness Rose (white) - Innocence Daffodil - Regard Lily - Majesty Daisy - Innocence Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness Fern - Fascination and sincerity Magnolia - Perseverance Flowering Almond - Hope Maidenhair - Discretion Forget-me-not - True love and remembrance Mimosa - Sensitivity Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness Orange Blossom - Purity and virginity Honeysuckle - Generosity Peach Blossom - Captive Hyacinth - Loveliness Rose (red) - Love Hydrangea - Boastfulness Rose (yellow) - Friendship Iris - Warmth of affection Rosemary - Remembrance Ivy - Eternal fidelity Snowdrop - Hope Japonica - Loveliness Sweet Pea - Delicate pleasures Jasmine - Amiability Tulip - Love Lemon Blossom - Fidelity in love Veronica - Fidelity Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence Violet - Faithfulness
First on the Dance Floor
At the evening celebrations, the bride and groom traditionally dance first on their own to a waltz. However, as ballroom dancing is not so popular these days, the newlyweds usually dance to a favorite romantic song. During the playing of this song, it is traditional for the groom to dance with his new mother-in-law and then with his mother, while the bride dances with her new father-in-law and then with her father. The best man also joins in dancing with the chief bridesmaid and the ushers with the other bridesmaids when the bride and groom first change. After the first dance, all the guests are invited to join the newlyweds on the dance floor.The Wedding Cake
In the 1st. century B.C. in Rome, the cake was thrown at the bride or broken over her head as one of the many fertility symbols which then were a part of the marriage ceremony.The Best Man
Among the Germanic Goths of northern Europe in 200 A.D., a man usually married a woman from within his own community. However, when there were fewer women, the prospective bridegroom would capture his bride from a neighboring village. The bridegroom was accompanied by his strongest friend (or best friend), who helped him capture his bride.
Why does the Bride stand to the Groom's Left?
After the bridegroom captured his bride, he placed her on his left to protect her, thus freeing his right hand or sword hand against sudden attack.
The Honeymoon
After "kidnapping" his bride, the groom would take her and go into hiding. By the time the bride's family tracked them down them, the bride would probably already be pregnant! A "bride price" would then be negotiated.The Term "Wedding"
Although some brides were kidnapped, marriage by purchase was the preferred method of obtaining a wife. The "bride price" could be land, social status, political alliances, or cash. The Anglo-Saxon word "wedd" meant that the groom would vow to marry the woman, but it also referred to the bride price (money or barter) to be paid by the groom to the bride's father. The root of the word "wedding" literally means to gamble or wager!
The Phrase "To Tie The Knot"
The term "tie the knot" also goes back to ancient tribal days. A girl was wrapped in a sheet with a knot tied in the front, signifying to the groom and his family that she was a virgin.
In Roman times, the bride would wear a girdle that was tied in many knots which the groom had the "duty" of untying.Bridal Showers
This custom came about when a father disapproved of his daughter's marriage and refused to provide a dowry to the couple. The shower became the alternative to the dowry.
Supportive villagers would assemble and provide the bride a variety of household items for her new home.
Bridal showers were meant to strengthen the ties between the bride and her friends, provide her moral support, and help her prepare for her marriage. Gift giving dates from the 1890's.Stag Parties
In Sparta, during the height of Greek civilization, soldiers were the first to hold stag parties. The groom would have a party for his friends the night before he was to marry. He would bid farewell to his bachelorhood and pledge his continued allegiance to his comrades.The Bridal Party
This term has many origins from different cultures. In Anglo-Saxon times, the groom had the help of "bridesmen" or "brideknights" to help him capture and/or escort his bride. Later they would make sure that the bride got to the church and to the groom's home afterwards. The women who accompanied and assisted the bride were called "bridesmaids" or "brideswomen".Arch Of Swords
Walking through the arc of swords following the ceremony was done to ensure the couple's safe passage into their new life together.The Traditional White Wedding Dress
In 1499, Ann of Brittany popularized the white wedding gown. Prior to that time, a woman simply wore her best dress or a new dress without regard to the basic color.
Did you know that a bride and her bridesmaids used to dress identically?
In tribal times, superstitions ran wild. It was thought to confuse evil spirits if the parties were dressed alike. The ringing of church bells and the release of doves also warded off these spirits.
Something Old, Something New...
The full wording of this popular bridal attire rhyme, which dates back to the Victorian times is 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in your shoe'.
Something old refers to wearing something that represents a link with the bride's family and her old life. Usually, the bride wears a piece of family jewelry or maybe her mother's or grandmother's wedding dress.
Wearing something new represents good fortune and success in the bride's new life. The bride's wedding dress is usually chosen, if purchased new, but it can be any other new item of the bride's wedding attire.
Wearing something borrowed, which has already been worn by a happy bride at her wedding, is meant to bring good luck to the marriage. Something borrowed could be an item of bridal clothing, a handkerchief or an item of jewelry.
In early Biblical times, blue not white symbolized purity and fidelity. Both the bride and groom usually wore a band of blue material around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence the tradition of "something blue". Over time this has evolved from wearing a piece of blue clothing to wearing a blue band around the bottom of the bride's dress and to modern times where the bride wears a blue or blue-trimmed garter....and a Silver Sixpence in your shoe
Placing a silver sixpence in the bride's left shoe is a symbol of wealth. This is not just to bring the bride financial wealth but also a wealth of happiness and joy throughout her married life.Garter and Bridal Bouquet Toss
It was customary in the 14th century for the bride to toss her garter to the men. Pieces of the bridal attire were considered lucky. Sometimes the men would get drunk, become impatient, and try to remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom evolved for the groom to remove and toss the garter. With that change the bride started to toss the bridal bouquet to the unwed girls of marriageable age.
In the United States, the groom traditionally removes the garter from the bride and throws it to the unmarried men. The man who catches it is thought to be the next to marry. At some weddings the man who catches the garter will place it on the leg of the lady who caught the bouquet or they may start the next dance. It is also common for the recipients of the bouquet and garter to have a photograph taken with the bride and groom.
The garter is placed on the brides right leg, just above the knee.Why it is "bad luck" for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony?
Until relatively recently, brides were considered the property of their father. Their futures and husbands were arranged without their consent. The marriage of an unattractive woman was often arranged with a prospective groom from another town without either of them having ever seen their prospective spouse. In more than one instance, when the groom saw his future wife, usually dressed in white, for the first time on the day of the wedding, he changed his mind and left the bride at the altar. To prevent this from happening, it became "bad luck" for the groom to see the bride on the day of the wedding prior to the ceremony.The Wedding Veil
The origin of the wedding veil is unclear but it is thought that it predates the wedding dress by centuries. One explanation is that it is a relic of the days when a groom would throw a blanket over the head of the woman of his choice when he captured her and carted her off. Another explanation is that during the times of arranged marriages, the bride's face was covered until the groom was committed to her at the ceremony - so it would be too late for him to run off if he didn't like the look of her! It is also thought that the veil was worn to protect the bride from evil spirits that would be floating around on her wedding day.
To prevent the groom from seeing the brides' face till after the ceremony was over, brides began to wear opaque yellow veils. Not only could the groom not see in, the bride could not see out. Therefore, the father of the bride had to escort her down the aisle and literally give the bride to the groom.
These origins have all evolved into the tradition that the veil covers the bride's face throughout the ceremony until the minister pronounces the couple man and wife - although today, the veil is often lifted when the bride arrives at the alter.
Today, prior to a Jewish wedding ceremony, it is the groom who ritually "veils the bride". This reason for this tradition goes back to the marriage of Jacob to Leah (the older sister) when he thought he was marrying Rachel (the younger sister) whom he loved.The Kiss
No ceremony is complete without the kiss. In fact, there was a time when an engagement would be null and void without one. Dating back from early Roman times, the kiss represented a legal bond that sealed all contracts.Throwing of Rice/Flowers
When thrown as the couple exited the church, throwing of rice and flowers represented the wish for the couple to have a fruitful and plentiful life together. Originally rice and wheat were thrown over the married couple to represent the hope for fertility. When rose petals are thrown before the bride as she walks down the aisle, it is to ward-off evil spirits below the ground and grant fertility.International Traditions
Armenia
In Armenia, two white doves were set free to symbolize love and happiness.Bermuda
The wedding cake in Bermuda was a multi-level fruitcake and included a small cedar tree on top. This tree was planted and is supposed to grow with the love of the bride and groom.England
If an English bride passed a chimney sweep on her way to the church, and the chimney sweep kissed her, it was considered good luck.
- - In England, the bride wouldn't allow her married name to be used before the wedding for it was considered bad luck.Holland/Switzerland
In Holland and Switzerland a pine tree, a symbol of fertility and luck, was once planted outside a new couple's home.Italy
In Italy, the groom's tie was cut into pieces and sold to the guests at the reception. The money earned is used for the honeymoon.
Flowers decorated the front of the bridal car in Italy so that the bride and groom would have happy travels throughout life together.Japan
In Japan, brides change their bridal attire several times throughout the wedding day.
In Japan, ducks or a goose and gander were included in the processional because they mate for life and are a symbol for fidelity.Poland
In Poland, guests paid to dance with the bride and this money is used for the honeymoon.
South Africa
In South Africa, both bride's and groom's parents carried a fire from the hearths of their own homes and took this fire to the new couple's home to begin the fire in their home.
Spain
During the reception in Spain, wedding guests danced a special dance and then present gifts to the bride.
