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Many of the wedding traditions we still include in the modern nuptial
festivities have their roots deep in history. Though many of these
wedding traditions are based on superstitions or historical necessity,
to this day couples still - to some degree - acknowledge them. Though
the dynamics of weddings change continuously, with new wedding customs
being added to the 'canon' all the time, wearing white, tying cans to
the bumper, and carrying a bouquet all remain firmly entrenched in the
collective psyche.
Unearthing the origins of our most beloved wedding traditions -
from the practice of placing wedding bands on the third finger of the
left hand to putting coins in the bride's shoes - help modern brides
understand why we continue to do things the way we do.
A Vision in White
"Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind, and true.
When February birds do mate, you wed nor dread your fate."
One of our most beloved wedding traditions is the white wedding
dress. Many historians claim that the vivacious French queen, Anne de
Bretagne, was the first to start this most cherished of wedding
traditions by wearing a white wedding dress in 1499; however, there
remains some speculation as to the veracity of this claim. Another 160
years would pass until accounts of Mary, Queen of Scots' marriage to
the French Dauphin in 1558 also claimed she wore white. In most cases,
the white wedding dress is commonly attributed to Queen Victoria of
England, however, who in 1840 married Albert of Saxe-Coburg, clad
entirely in a white gown that was adorned with some of her own prized
white lace. But, as far as wedding traditions are established, it still
took awhile for brides to catch on to this new idea; it was, after all,
very hard to clean a white dress and keep it that way in those times.
Another sixty or so years would pass before brides had the resources to
wear white wedding gowns routinely and keep them spotless.
Prior to this time, there were no wedding customs that dictated
what color had to be worn, and everyone - from peasants to royalty -
would simply wear their finest gown, whether it was blue, purple, or
yellow hued. The only colors strictly off limits were black (a symbol
of death) and flaming red (often associated with 'ladies of the
night.'), although brides in certain parts of the world wore (and still
do) black or red gowns based on local cultural and social wedding
customs and requirements. Nowadays, people think that a white dress
stands for chastity, but traditionally, if a bride wanted to convey
this fact, she would have worn blue in keeping with long-held wedding
traditions.
All You Need Is Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue
"If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can, joy for maiden and for man."
Another favorite of our modern day wedding traditions - the
practice of integrating 'something old, something new, something
borrowed, and something blue' - has been a part of the marriage
ceremony since the nineteenth century, each standing for a special
trinket or symbol the bride carries with her on the wedding day. Most
people are unaware of the last line of this phrase, however, which ends
with 'and a silver sixpence in her shoe.' Many cultures practice
putting coins in the bride's shoes, symbolic wedding customs that
stand, of course, for wealth and prosperity. In Sweden, for instance,
these wedding customs are evident with the mother of the bride placing
a gold coin in one shoe and her father placing a silver coin in the
other to ensure that she will always have financial security.
'Something old' stands for the bride's old life; wedding
customs generally state that she should pick something that reminds her
of a loved one (perhaps a grandparent) or past special event.
'Something new' signifies the couple's hope for their future together;
a symbol of a shared interest is an excellent choice. 'Something
borrowed' represents something the bride wishes to aspire to or someone
she wishes to honor, whether it be a loved one's old bracelet or a
memento from a friend who has a happy marriage. And finally, the
'something blue' part of these wedding traditions, though it no longer
holds the same symbolism, denotes the bride's purity. Many brides today
incorporate the color discreetly underneath their dresses in the form
of garters or as jewelry.
The Vein of Love Links Both Hearts
"Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go."
With its circular shape, the wedding ring, which for years has
been a part of our most respected wedding customs, represents a love
without end and the moment when the bride and groom are joined
together. Placing the wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand
is usually believed to have come from the ancient Egyptian belief that
this part of the body contained the 'vein of love,' or a mythical vein
that runs from the finger to the heart. With the wedding ring on this
finger, another of our most beloved wedding traditions concluded that
happiness, love, and commitment were assured (citation:
gagirl.com/wedding/wedding5.html).
Early folklore of how our wedding customs came to be claims that the
husband would tie his new wife's ankles and wrists with ropes to keep
her spirit on earth for as long as possible; this particular practice
stemming from these ancient wedding customs, of course, evolved into
today's modern wedding bands, now made from gold or silver, though the
transformation took many forms throughout the years - hemp (which never
lasted long), leather, metal, and other durable materials, such as iron
(favored by the Romans) to indicate the permanence of the union.
Across the Threshold We Go
"Those who in July do wed, must labor for their daily bread.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see."
There are at least four explanations why the groom is expected
to carry his bride over the threshold, all of which have their origins
in wedding customs of centuries past. Well over a millennia or so ago,
it was common for the groom to abduct his bride (with the help of his
'best man'), and essentially, he had to force her into the home. To
make the situation easier, he likely carried her across the threshold
so she couldn't escape. Similarly, the belief in evil spirits was
rampant, and to protect the couple from harm, popular wedding
traditions held that the groom carried her over to leave the potential
threats outside.
Another feasible explanation for these wedding traditions rests
with the new wife's reluctance to enter the home and leave behind her
family, and with a show of modesty for her husband, the bride would
play hard to get, requiring the groom to carry her over the threshold
so she entered the home. The last, perhaps most common account of
lifting the bride over the threshold is that she must never trip or
fall or she'll suffer years of ill fortune. But regardless of where you
go, these wedding traditions still stand for the passage of one phase
of life to the next and the hope that the bride and groom have for
their future together (citation: Marriage Customs of the World, George
Monger, page 270).
Look at Us and Wish Us Well
"Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry."
A long time ago, as a bride was ready to depart with her husband from
the marriage ceremony, wedding customs dictated that she should hand
her shoes to her father who, in turn, would hand them to her husband, a
roundabout way to show her allegiance to her father, who passed on her
care and keep to the groom. In the sixteenth century, local wedding
customs dictated that newly married English couples should have shoes
thrown at them, and it was a good omen if they were hit. To keep these
wedding traditions alive, the bridal party now ties shoes to the bumper
of the couple's car along with various other decorations, such as 'Just
Married' signs or tin cans that are meant to scare away the evil
spirits.
Wedding traditions associated with loud commotions to keep the
spirits away have their origins in Medieval Europe, when the wedding
guests would leave the ceremony and make enough noise with bells,
whistles, and pots to frighten the spirits and keep them at bay,
ensuring a happy future for the new couple.
Quick, Hide the Bride!
"If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last."
It's common knowledge that it's bad luck for the groom to see
his bride on the wedding day before the ceremony, as far as wedding
customs go. Marriages were frequently arranged a long time ago, a deal
between the bride's parents and the groom's used to gain alliances,
more power, or greater wealth. Until the ceremony, local wedding
customs prevented the bride and groom from meeting in person. To
prevent the groom from leaving once he saw her (if she was, in fact,
unattractive), he was not allowed to speak with her until after the
ceremony was finished.
Wedding customs also required that the bride was also required
to wear a heavy, thick veil (just in case) and it was only lifted after
the ceremony. And, at that point, the groom could no longer back out
from his commitment. Many modern brides still incorporate these two
wedding traditions; it, of course, lends to the excitement of the day,
keeping her groom anxious to see how beautiful she looks when she walks
down the aisle.
And Other Wedding Traditions, Customs, and Oddities Still in Practice
There are literally hundreds of other wedding traditions,
customs, and superstitions that make up today's marriage ceremony, and
some are quite odd. In certain areas, kissing and/or running into a
chimney sweep, dove, or black cat is good luck while sewing your own
wedding dress is bad (for every stitch, you'll shed a tear). Regardless
of which wedding customs you incorporate into your special day - from
the old to the new - the origins of each are steeped in history, and
though they've morphed, they still equate to the celebration of love in
many diverse ways.
About the Author
Cherie Johnson is the founder and owner of Creative Bride, a one-stop shop for a large selection of baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, anniversary, and wedding favors.
Cherie's articles have been published on numerous websites including
Wed Alert, Wedding Lenox, and Wedding Museum. Since starting Creative
Bride in 2006, Cherie has helped countless couples and families make
their big events a success. Prior to Creative Bride, she worked as a
professional wedding photographer, capturing the most special moments
of the bride and groom's big day. To find favors and gifts for your
upcoming event, please visit www.Creative-Bride.com.
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