Wedding Traditions
Marriage is a solemn promise and the greatest joy of human existence. It is a coming together of two souls to be joined as one. It can give a deep sense of fulfillment to the bride and groom. Their love transcends all barriers. Couples are looking for unique and charming ways to express their love to each other. There are a lot of traditions which you can discover and make your own
The Meaning Of Marriage:
The word ‘wed’ is derived from the Greek word for “pledge” and that’s exactly what a marriage is. To wed is to pledge yourself to your spouse for ever.
The Kiss:
Almost all over the world, the wedding ceremony ends with the bride and groom kissing each other. This tradition transcends all cultures and symbolizes the physical union of souls.
Tying The Knot:
The expression dates back to the Roman times. The bride wore a girdle which her mother tied up in a knot. On the wedding night, the groom had the honor of untying it and becoming one with his bride. Their lives were then tied together.
The Wedding Gown:
The first bride to wear white was Anne of Brittany for her marriage to Louis X11 of
The Ring:
Christians traditionally believed that the priest arrived at the third finger on the left hand when he touched his thumb to his fingers and prayed ”in the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost”. Egyptians believe that the vein of the ring finger, vena amoris runs directly to the heart. The ring is a symbol of eternal love.
The Veil:
In earlier days, the bride stood underneath a canopy to signify that she was underneath the protection of her husband. In some cultures, the groom, who had never seen his bride before, would lift the veil only after the wedding and then see his bride’s face. A bride who lifted the veil on her own would be considered highly independent. These days the popular belief is that the veil protects the bride from evil spirits.
Loud Noises:
To ward off the evil spirits, guests used to make loud noises even during the ceremony. These days it is common for the wedding party to honk their car horns while leaving the venue. Some people tie noisy tin cans to the back of the bridal couple’s car to add to the noise.
Dressing Alike:
Legend says that earlier the bride and groom used to walk to church. On the way evil spirits would torment them. If the couple’s friends dressed in attire similar to the couple, the spirits would be confused about the identity of the bride and groom and would leave them alone.
Throwing Confetti:
This tradition originates from an ancient Pagan rite of throwing grains upon the couple to bestow the gift of fertility to the couple.
The Cake:
Cutting the wedding cake was once the responsibility of the bride. It symbolized the bride’s loss of virginity. Now the cake is regarded as a symbol of fertility and the couple cuts it together.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue:
This dates back to the Victorian times. The complete rhyme goes ‘Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue, And a silver sixpence in your shoe.’ Something old is something the bride wears which bears a link to her parent’s family. Wearing something new symbolizes success and good luck. The bride also wears something borrowed from another happy bride. Blue stands for fertility. A silver penny in the bride’s left shoe represents wealth.
The Wedding March:
When the bride walks down the aisle, the music from Richard Wagner’s opera ‘Lohengrin’ is played. Felix Mendelssohn’s ‘Wedding March’ sees the couple make a getaway. Victoria, eldest daughter of
So all you lovely couples, embrace these traditions, they’re charming.