Did you ever wonder how wedding traditions like
carrying the bride over the threshold got started? Or why couples typically go
on a honeymoon after the wedding? Read on for answers to these questions and
more!
Bridal attire:
The custom of the bride wearing a
white dress dates back to the Roman Empire. The Latin word for 'white' also
means 'pure', and wearing white when getting married was thus a symbol of
purity.
The bridal shower:
The tradition of "showering" the bride with gifts originated
with the Dutch, who passed down a folktale about a young girl in love with a
poor miller. The girl's father was so upset at the prospect of their
marriage that he refused to provide the customary dowry. In order that the
couple might marry anyway, their friends "showered" them with gifts so that
they could start their new life together. Today there are many different
types of bridal and wedding showers, many planned around a particular theme.
The bridal veil:
The tradition of the bride
wearing a veil is also a Roman tradition, as is the wearing of a white dress. To
the Romans, as well as the Greeks, the veil was a sign of youth and purity. In
some cultures, the veil was worn so that evil spirits could not identify the
bride and harm her. In other cultures, particularly in Asia and the Middle East,
the veil began as a sign of modesty, and the custom of hiding the bride's face
until after the ceremony is still practiced today. The custom continues in our
open society because of its romantic aura. Rumor has it that the fashion for
lace wedding veils started with Nelly Curtis, who married President George
Washington's aide. The story goes that her fiancé was so taken with her beauty
after seeing her through a curtain, Nelly added one to her bridal attire.
Carrying the bride over the threshold:
Similar to
the tradition of the bridal veil, carrying the bride over the threshold of her
new home was meant to protect her from evil spirits with bad intentions.
Probably from evil spirits with good intentions as well. Another explanation for
this tradition involves the belief that if the bride were to trip over the
threshold, her marriage would be filled with ups and downs as well. Because of
this, the groom carried her to prevent the possibility of her falling (and
dooming him to a life of marital chaos as well!).
Diamonds:
As one of the hardest materials on
Earth, diamonds are an obvious choice to symbolize enduring love. This idea
appealed to the ancient Italians, as did the Greeks, who additionally viewed the
flame of a white diamond as a reflection of the bright flame of love.
Garters:
There are many traditions associated with wedding garters.
One of the most familiar is "one to keep and one to throw", where the bride
wears two garters. One garter is relatively simple and inexpensive and is
used for the garter toss to the unmarried men at the reception. The other is
typically more elaborate, and is often an heirloom item, or one that is
destined to become one. Tradition says that if the garter is given to the
bride by a friend, that friend will soon become engaged. Sort of a shortcut
to catching the bouquet, apparently.
At any rate, one or both of the garters is often used to
fulfill the "something blue" of the familiar rhyme thought to bring good
luck: "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"
(the British version of this tradition adds "and a lucky sixpence in your
shoe"). It is thought that the garter tossing tradition might have its origins in the 14th
century, when rowdy wedding guests in France scrambled to remove the bride's
garter because they believed it would bring them luck. Embarrassed brides
began removing it themselves (and later their stockings as well) to toss to
the eager crowd.
The giving away of the bride by her parents:
In
many of the patriarchal societies of yesteryear, daughters were considered to be
the property of their fathers, and it was expected that a father would choose
his daughters' husbands for them. In some cases, the bride and groom wouldn't
even meet until their wedding day! Today the tradition of arranged marriages is
still practiced in many cultures, but it is more common for the bride-to-be to
participate in the selection process nowadays. Like the custom of asking the
bride's father for her hand in marriage, the giving away of the bride is meant
to show respect, and symbolizes the parents' acceptance of the marriage.
The throwing of rice:
This tradition started in the Orient as a wish for many children.
Old shoes:
Old shoes used to be thrown at the bride by her father to signify that he was
giving her to the groom, as the shoe was a symbol of possession and authority.
Another version of this tradition says that the shoes were thrown at the groom
as he kidnapped his bride. Fortunately for modern wedding couples, old shoes are
now tied to the back of the car they will depart in, instead of being hurled at
them. These days, guests are far more likely to throw rice, flower petals,
or birdseed, or to blow bubbles at the happy couple. Which seems like a far less
painful alternative.
The wedding attendants:
The best man and ushers were originally burly friends who helped capture the
bride-to-be. Suitors often had to fend off overprotective brothers or other
suitors, so it made sense to bring along the 'best men' for the job. The maid of
honor and the bridesmaids protected the bride from an overprotective brother
because she wanted to be kidnapped. When the rough practice because
unfashionable, the pretense continued to add excitement. Besides, to go
willingly was considered unladylike.
The wedding cake:
The wedding cake began in ancient Rome, where a thin loaf of wheat bread was
broken over the bride's head to ensure a life of plenty. The guests eagerly ate
the crumbs as good luck tokens. By the Middle Ages, English brides and grooms
kissed over a mound of small cakes. An enterprising baker put the cakes
together, covered them with frosting, and the modern tiered wedding cake was
born.
The wedding rings:
Rings date back to a time when cavemen tied braided grass circlets around the
bride's wrists and ankles to keep her spirit from escaping. Later, rings were
made of leather, carved stone, and crude metal. Diamond engagement rings first
appeared in medieval Italy when precious stones were considered partial
"payment" for the bride, and a symbol of the groom's good intentions. Engagement
rings are worn on the third finger of the left hand because it was believed that
its vein led directly to the heart.
Propose with a Rose!
Silver
Plated Rose
Ring Holder
Only
$16.95!
Regularly $36.95
Quantity
This silver-plated
rose is actually a ring box with a white satin and red velvet lining,
perfect for proposals or as an alternative to the ring bearer pillow. The
rose is 9" long, and the flower can be detached from the stem. Great as a
gift for your female attendants, or for the mothers of the bride and groom!
