Wedding Traditions & Their Meanings:
Now that Summer is coming, weddings are being planned and with Coronavirus rules being relaxed slightly, we take a look at the traditions involved in a quintessential English summer wedding.
You’ve probably been frantically searching for something blue and it’s likely your partner also probably proposed on one knee, too. But do you actually know where these wedding traditions come from and what they mean?
With this handy guide, you’ll be a fountain of knowledge when it comes to wedding traditions and superstitions.
Wedding Traditions Before the Big Day
Why Do We Get Down on One Knee to Propose?
The exact origin of this tradition is unknown, but there are lots of ideas floating around as to how it came about. The act of getting down on one knee is called genuflection, and in the Middle Ages, men would bend down in front of the women they adored. What’s more, in religion, kneeling in front of someone is a sign of respect, loyalty and obedience. Fast forward to today, and most people still get down on one knee to propose
What Day Should I Get Married On?
According to tradition, to marry during a full moon is unlucky and during Lent is a poor choice. As the age-old saying goes, “if you marry in Lent, you’re sure to repent”. There’s also a rhyme about the chosen day of your wedding, which goes a little something like this:
“Monday for health,
Tuesday for wealth,
Wednesday’s the best of all.
Thursday brings crosses,
And Friday losses,
But Saturday – no luck at all.”
In terms of the time of day to get married, it has long been said that the couple should exchange vows as the clock’s minute hand is “ascending towards heaven”
Where Do Hen and Stag Parties Come From?
In Middle English, the word “hen” means a female bird, which is why a hen party is exclusively for women. The term “hen party” dates back to the 1800s when it was used to refer to a gathering of women. The idea itself is said to come from Ancient Greek wedding traditions, where wedding celebrations were split into three parts with the first being an all-female feasting dinner. It was only during the mid-1960s that hen parties began to grow in popularity Stag dos emerged around a similar time, and are also traditionally Greek. The first ever stag dos took place in Ancient Greece when feasts were held to toast the groom and mark the end of youth. Hen and stag parties are now something which most brides and grooms choose to throw before they tie the knot
On the Wedding Day
What Does “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed & Something Blue” Mean?
“Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” is an age-old Victorian rhyme. Something old represents the link with the bride’s family and the past. Many brides choose to wear a piece of family jewellery.
Something new represents good fortune and success in the bride’s new life. The wedding dress often symbolises the new item or perhaps the bride’s shoes. Something borrowed reminds the bride that her family and friends will be there for her when help is needed. The borrowed object might be something small, such as lace handkerchief or a hair pin.
The something blue symbolises faithfulness and loyalty. The tradition dates back to biblical times when blue represented purity. Often, the bride’s garter has a blue ribbon on it, making that the blue item.
Why Can’t the Couple See Each Other Before They Meet at the Altar?
This tradition dates back to the days of arranged marriages, when marriage was more of a business arrangement than something done for love. The couple weren’t allowed to see each other before the ceremony for fear they’d pull out of the marriage. Today, it’s simply seen as unlucky to see your other half on the morning of your wedding – but since you’re not partaking in a business deal, we’re pretty sure you shouldn’t be worried!
Why Does the Bride Get Given Away?
This is another tradition which dates back to the days when marriage was more of a business arrangement. Brides would quite literally be handed over to “a new owner”, usually in exchange for money.
Why Does the Bride Stand to the Left of the Groom?
The bride stands to the left of the groom during the wedding ceremony so that the groom can protect her with his left arm and use his sword with the right. Traditionally, the groom would need to fight anyone who was trying to steal his wife – mostly members of her own family, since it was common for them to think she’d be “stolen”.
Why do we wear the Ring on the Fourth Finger of the Left Hand?
Many believe the tradition began with the Romans, who thought a vein ran straight from the fourth finger on the left hand to the heart. Others believe it began simply because the left hand is generally least used and so a more practical choice for adornment. The Egyptians used the middle finger of the left hand whilst Roman Catholics preferred to use the right hand for wedding rings It is supposedly unlucky for a bride to try on her wedding ring before marriage and it is said that whichever of the couple drops the ring in church shall be the first to die!
Why Is a Wedding Cake Tiered?
It has always been tradition for cake to play a part in a wedding but originally, guests would bring small cakes and place them in front of the couple. They would then kiss over the pile of cakes to guarantee future prosperity.
The wedding cake, as we know it today is tiered – graduated cakes stacked on top of each other – and this originated at the wedding of HRH Prince Leopold The Duke of Albany in 1882. The cutting of the cake is a focal point at any reception today, a tradition rooted in history when the first cut was made by the bride to ensure the marriage would be blessed by children.
Why Are Wedding Dresses White?
White has connotations of purity, so that is the main reason why brides would traditionally wear white on their wedding day. White is also closely linked to wealth because apparently, only the wealthy could afford to wear it. Despite this, the trend landed much later than you might expect.
It was Queen Victoria who was the first to do so, as before her wedding to Price Albert in 1840, brides would wear the most expensive dress they owned on their wedding day. When it comes to the dress and getting ready, there’s one tradition which we’re not sure we could stick by. Traditionally, it is seen as unlucky for a bride-to-be to see her completed bridal look before saying ‘I do’.
Why Does the Bride Wear a Veil?
The wedding veil hides the bride’s beauty and wards off evil spirits. Another explanation is that during the times of arranged marriages the bride’s face would be covered until the groom had committed to the marriage. Oh, and after your wedding, don’t let your friend try on your veil! It’s supposed to mean she’ll run off with your husband !
Why Does the Bride Throw Her Bouquet?
Contrary to popular belief, the bouquet wasn’t traditionally carried down the aisle just to look pretty, but to mask the bride’s odour. Rumour has it, the scents of fragrant flowers were used to ward off evil spirits as were bouquets made of herbs and garlic. Traditionally, the bride also throws her bouquet and this stems from a French tradition, where the groom would throw the bride’s garter into the crowd but throwing a bouquet emerged as a more civilised alternative. It is said that whoever catches the bouquet will be next to be married.
Why Do We Throw Confetti?
Traditionally, rice was thrown at the newly married couple to encourage fertility, but it was the Victorians who first used shredded paper.
Why Does the Bride Get Carried Over the Threshold?
Carrying the bride over the threshold protects her from any evil spirits that may be lurking in the new home, particularly since the soles of her feet were known to be at the greatest risk of evil.