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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. |
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BOUQUET
For ancient Greeks and Romans, the bouquet was a pungent mix of garlic and herbs or grains. The garlic was supposed to ward off evil spirits and the herbs or grains were to insure a fruitful union. In ancient Poland, it was believed that sprinkling sugar on the bride's bouquet kept her temper sweet. |
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BRIDAL PARTY
The bridal party has many origins, not the least of which are the Anglo-Saxon days. When the groom was about to abduct his bride, he needed the help of many friends, the "bridesmen" or "brideknights". The "gentlemen" would make sure the bride got to the ceremony on time and to the groom's house afterwards. The bride also had women to help her. These were known as the "bridesmaids" or "brideswomen". |
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BRIDAL SHOWER
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 for dowry. Supportive villagers would assemble and provide the bride a variety of household items for her new home. |
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BRIDESMAIDS
Bridesmaids were dressed in a similar way to the bride for the same reason as the origin of veil. The bridesmaids were thought to act as decoys to confuse evil spirits and thus protect the bride. |
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CARRYING THE BRIDE OVER THE THRESHOLD
Traditionally, the bride had to enter her new home the first time through the front door. If she tripped or stumbled while entering it was considered to be very bad luck. Hence, the tradition of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold started.. |
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CONFETTI
Confetti is Italian for sweets which in Italy are thrown over the couple as they emerge from the Church in that same way we use paper confetti. Raisins and nuts may also be used. Before the use of paper confetti the married couple were showered with flowers, petals, rice or grains. This was to bestow prosperity and fertility on the couple. |
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DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS
These lavish gifts were given by medieval Italians in the belief that the diamond was created in the Flames of Love. |
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GIVING THE BRIDE AWAY
In times when women were granted few privileges and even fewer personal rights, the bride was literally given away to the groom by the father, usually in exchange for monetary gain. Today, it is seen as symbolic of the blessings and support of her union as a promise of continued trust and affection. Often when the question is asked by a clergy during the ceremony, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man", the father's response is, "Her mother and I". |
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GROOM'S BOUTONNIERRE
It's a nod to medieval times when a knight wore his lady's "colors", proudly displayed for all to see. |
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LOUD NOISES
Loud noises were said to chase away evil spirits, and during the ceremony, the guests would make noises to keep the spirits away. Today, it's traditional that the bridal party honk their car horns while leaving the ceremony. |
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OLD SHOES
The tradition of tying shoes to the back of the couple's car stems from Tudor times. Back then, guests would throw shoes at the bride and groom. If they or their carriage were hit, it meant good luck was bestowed upon them. Toasting comes from an ancient French custom of placing bread in the bottom of the glass - a good toaster drained the drink to get the "toast." According to legend, when a bride and groom drink their wedding toast, whoever finishes first will rule the family. |
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SOMETHING BLUE
"Blue" is symbolic of the blood of royalty, since both the bride and the groom were once considered "royal"on their wedding day. |
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SOMETHING BORROWED
Serves to remind the bride that friends and family will be there for her whenever she may need their support or assistance. |
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SOMETHING NEW
Connotes good fortune and success in the bride's new life the wedding dress is most often the chosen item. |
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SOMETHING OLD
Symbolizes the connection the bride will maintain to her family and the past. Some brides chose to wear an heirloom piece of the family. |
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STAG PARTIES
During the height of Greek civilization, soldiers were the first to hold stag parties. The groom would have a party for his friend the night befire he was to marry. He would bid farewell to his bachelorhood and pledge his continuous allegiance to his comrades. |
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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, who helped him capture the bride. |
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THE BRIDAL VEIL
Is descendant from two sources. A woman's face that was covered by a veil meant that she was spoken for. A veil was used to disguise the bride so that she would not be recognized by the evil spirits wishing to harm the vulnerable bridal couple. |
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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. |
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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. |
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THROWING RICE
The throwing of rice on the couple has always been symbolic of wishing prosperity and good luck. In the Orient, throwing rice means, "May you always have a full pantry". Wheat and other grains are sometimes thrown in addition to rice, thereby also wishing prosperity and lack of want. Each shower bestows "Goodwill Traditions" of wealth upon the newlyweds. To this day, rice remains a token of a life of "plenty". |
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THROWING THE GARTER
This ritual dates back to a time before woman wore hose with a garter belt. It was a chance for the single men to share in the good fortune of the groom. Today, it is believed that the man who catches the garter when it is thrown will be the next to marry. |
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TOSSING THE BRIDAL BOUQUET
Tossing of the bridal bouquet is a custom which has its roots in England. It was believed that the bride could pass along good fortune to others. In order to obtain this fortune, spectators would try to tear away pieces of the bride's clothing and flowers. In an attempt to get away, the bride would toss her bouquet into the crowd. Tradition says that the single women who catches the bouquet is the one who receives the bride's fortune and will marry next. |
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VEIL
Traditionally brides have been thought to be particularly vulnerable to evil spirits. Many wedding customs and traditions were originated as an attempt to fight away such evil. The veil was worn with the belief that it would disguise the bride and fool the evil spirits. It was not until 1800 in Britain that the veil came to symbolize modesty and chastity. Today, the veil remains the ultimate symbol of virginity. |
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WHY DOES THE BRIDE STAND TO THE GROOM'S LEFT?
After the Groom captured his bride, he placed her on his left to protect her, thus freeing his right hand or sword hand against sudden attack. |
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WHY IS RAIN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY LUCKY?
It is said that a wet knot is more difficult to untie. |
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WHY MARRY IN JUNE?
In Roman mythology, the god Juno rules over childbirth, marriage and the hearth. This is believed to be the reason for the popularity of June weddings. |
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WHY THE HONEYMOON?
In ancient times, many of the first marriages were by capture, not choice. When early man felt it was time to take a bride, he would often carry off an unwilling woman to a secret place where her relatives wouldn't find them. While the moon went through all its phases, (about 30 days) they hid from the searchers and drank a brew made from honey.
Hence, we get the word, honeymoon. |
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