Wedding Traditions

 

From the bride throwing her bouquet through to that perfectly orchestrated confetti moment, weddings are still packed with an abundance of wedding traditions. With couples who are hosting a non traditional wedding also choosing to incorporate a number of age old traditions within their big day.

Thanks to COVID 19 lots of engaged couples now have a little extra time on their hands to dedicate to planning their wedding day and are probably incorporating wedding traditions into their big day without realising it.  So, I thought now is the perfect time to share all the juicy information on the wedding traditions that are still popular with couples today.

You will then be armed with an abundance of wedding tradition knowledge, so you can decide which traditions to keep and which to leave out of your wedding day.

Why should the bride & groom not see each other on the morning of their wedding

This popular tradition is still followed by many couples today and dates back to days when marriage was considered a business deal, rather than a sign of love and commitment. A couple wouldn’t see each other prior to exchanging vows incase either party decided to pull out of the marriage.

Today, thankfully marriage is no longer a business deal and this tradition is followed to build excitement and anticipation for the big reveal once a couple meet at the alter.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe

I adore this rhyming tradition which originates from the old English rhyme “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence In Your Shoe”

Following this superstition and including each of the above in your wedding day is thought to bring you a long and happy marriage.  Many brides use this tradition to include sentimental items within their wedding day styling by wearing a piece of jewellery from their mother or grandmother as their something old or something borrowed. If a brides wedding dress is new, this is often used as their new item, unless of course they are lucky enough to receive an item of jewellery as a gift from their future husband or parents. Brides may also wish to include a garter with a blue ribbon or their bridal shoes as their blue item. Or even their bridesmaids dresses or wedding cake.

Why is the bride given away

This timeless tradition dating back to the times when female children were considered to be the property of their fathers continues to be popular with modern weddings. Although, no longer considered the property of their fathers. Many brides still choose to be presented to their new husband by her father or an alternative family member or friend. Thankfully, this tradition is now considered to be a symbol of the brides father or family member giving their blessing for the marriage, rather than passing ownership of the bride from her father to her new husband.

Why is the wedding ring worn on the forth finger of the left hand

I love the meaning behind this tradition which dates back to Roman times. It was believed that the vein in the fourth finger of the left hand ran directly to the heart. Roman’s named this vein “Vena Amoris”, or the vein of love. How romantic.

Why does a bride wear a veil

Whilst veils are now considered a beautiful bridal accessory, this is another tradition that can be traced back to Roman times, when a bride would walk down the aisle with a veil shielding her face.  This was to hide her from evil spirits who may be intent on bringing her unhappiness. Of course, this is no longer the case and instead brides choose to include a veil in their wedding day styling to enhance and compliment their wedding gown.

 

Why does the bride throw her bouquet

One of my favourite wedding traditions and will often cause a flurry of excitement amongst single women as they gather ready to catch the brides bouquet, in hope that they will then be the next to marry.

This wedding tradition dates back hundreds of years and is thought to originate from England, where guests believed touching the bride was thought to bring good luck. Often in their haste to touch the bride, guests would attempt to tear pieces from the brides wedding dress and flowers.  Brides would therefore throw their bouquet in an attempt to prevent the guests from ruining their wedding gown.

Why do we throw confetti

Setting up the perfect confetti shot is a job which will normally be carried out by your photographer or wedding planner. Whilst, this is a wonderful photo opportunity this is also a wedding tradition that can be traced back to Italy. Italians would often throw items at each other throughout carnivals and parades.  Included within these items would be sugared almonds, which they referred to as “confetti”.  Italians would also throw sugared almonds at couples on their wedding day as a symbol of fertility and prosperity.

I hope that you have enjoyed learning a little about the wedding traditions that you may choose to include within your wedding day.  Of course, deciding whether or not to include any of the above is probably one of the more light hearted and fun elements of planning your wedding.

If you are in the midst of making many decisions about your wedding and think you may benefit from working with a wedding planner and you are hosting your wedding within Essex, Suffolk, Kent, Hertfordshire or Cambridgeshire, please do get in touch.

Image Credits: Terri & Lori Fine Art Photography & Film

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