Wedding Superstitions and Customs

Weddings today are filled with superstitions and customs that have become traditions over the years. Take for example the engagement ring. Originally a betrothal ring, it was a partial payment for the bride. The diamond first became the ring of choice in medieval Italy. It was chosen because of its hardness representing enduring love.

Ever wonder where the term “spooning” came from. In Wales a man would carve a wooden spoon for his sweetheart to hang around her neck as a sign of engagement, hence the term “spooning”.

The bridal shower got its beginnings with a wonderful legend from Holland when a young girl fell in love with a poor miller. The girl’s father did not approve so he refused to provide a dowry. But the young couple’s friends decided to shower her with gifts so that she would have the dowry she needed.

The phrase “tying the knot” comes from a Babylonian custom where the threads of the clothes of the bride and groom were tied together in a knot to symbolize the union.

Why is the wedding ring worn on the third finger of the left hand? Ancient people believed that the vein in that finger ran directly to the heart.

Brides wear veils because in ancient cultures it hid them from evil spirits. It also symbolizes youth and virginity. Lace veils became popular in America when President Washington’s aide, Major Lawrence Lewis, saw his bride through a lace curtain and commented on how beautiful she looked. She decided to cover her face with lace for the wedding.

Why do wedding attendants dress alike? Originally the bride and attendants all dressed alike. It was done to confuse evil spirits that might lurk at the wedding, rejected suitors that might wish to kidnap the bride or anyone wanting to put a curse on the bride or groom.

Why does the bride stand on the left of the groom? This is to leave his right hand free to draw his sword to defend her from kidnappings.

Where did the white aisle runner get its start? In ancient times the bride’s feet were not to touch the ground to avoid the evil spirits that lurked underneath. The same evil spirits are the reason that the bride is carried over the threshold of her new home. This way they could not enter her through the soles of her feet.

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a six pence in her shoe” a wedding poem everyone knows that comes from an Old English rhyme. This stands for continuity, optimism for the future, borrowed happiness, fidelity and good fortune.

“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” This statement comes from the fact that the bride in ancient times was literally given to the groom in an arranged marriage.

Why does the ceremony end with a kiss? In ancient times the kiss was a way to seal a legal contract.

Where did the wedding cake originate? In Roman times a small bun was broken over the couple representing good luck and fertility. In the Middle ages this turned to kissing over a small pile of cakes brought by the guests. In the 17th century a French baker frosted the stack of buns so that they would stand together - and the first wedding cake was invented.

What about wedding favors? In the past guests considered the bride lucky and would tear off pieces of her clothes or flowers to share in the luck. To save her clothes and flowers brides began offering small favors to the guests. This is also how the bouquet toss started. She would toss her flowers to a friend for the luck and protection it would provide them. The same idea gave birth to the garter toss. To save it from being torn off, the bride would remove it and throw it to the crowd.
As you can see, nearly everything about a wedding comes from centuries of tradition.