There are numerous aspects of weddings that everyone is aware of and incorporates into their celebrations without hesitation. The wedding bouquet, the garter toss, and the bridal veil, for example, are all commonly seen in today’s weddings, but do you know why or what they represent? Some of these wedding customs trace back centuries and are unquestionably present in many ceremonies. In this brief history of the most frequent wedding rituals, we look at the origins and history of these ceremonies.
Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Something Old, Something New, This rhyme is one of the most well-known wedding traditions, having been popularized by television and film. Each portion of the saying indicates a different facet of the wedding and dates back to Victorian times. Because an ancient family heirloom, such as jewellery or clothing, reflects the bride’s family and the past, many brides include an old family heirloom in their wedding day dress. Something new denotes the bride’s new life’s prospects and good fortune. Something fresh is frequently chosen as the wedding attire. To signify borrowed happiness, something borrowed is often borrowed from friends or family members. Something blue symbolizes fidelity, purity, and love, and it can be incorporated into the bride’s outfit in a variety of ways.
Toss of the Garter
The bride wears a garter on her leg underneath her wedding gown, which is then removed by the husband at the end of the reception. The origins of this tradition can be traced back to a Middle Ages wedding belief that stealing a piece of the bride’s clothes would bring good luck. Over time, this custom evolved into the groom taking the bride’s garter and tossing it into a crowd of single men to protect the bride from a throng of onlookers.
Veil for the Bride
The veil is more than just an accessory to make the bride look lovely and delicate. Wearing a veil was said to shield the bride from bad spirits who would attend the wedding and try to curse the newlyweds. In the Victorian era, brides began to wear more extravagant veils to show their riches, and what began as a protective garment of clothing became a prestige symbol.
Bouquet for Weddings
Bridal bouquets, bridesmaid bouquets, groom and groomsmen boutonnieres, centerpieces, and décor are all part of the multibillion-dollar wedding flower industry. Did you know, though, that this lovely bouquet of flowers began as a bundle of garlic, dill, and other herbs? This aromatic bunch was considered to keep evil spirits at bay. When Queen Victoria and Prince Albert married, the herbs were replaced with fresh flowers. Flowers have been a more common choice for bouquets over time, and the range of flower combinations available now is infinite.
Wedding Gown in White
In the past, brides did not necessarily wear white wedding gowns. Instead, they dressed in what they thought looked finest at the time. The white gown did not become the standard until Queen Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, when she wore one. Many people believe that white denotes purity, yet blue was the hue of purity in biblical times (as in the “something blue”). We may thank Queen Victoria for the customary bridal gown being some shade of white nowadays.
Bridesmaids in Coordinated Outfits
Because it’s difficult to find a style and color of dress that flatters all shapes and body types, matching bridesmaid dresses might be a bridesmaid’s worst nightmare. This ritual, however, dates back to the ancient Romans. They believed that evil spirits would try to curse the bride and husband on their wedding day, and that by having the bridesmaids wear matching dresses, the spirits would be confused as to who the real bride was. This would safeguard the bride and groom from curses and provide good fortune to their marriage.
Giving The Bride Away
The groom’s father gives his daughter away to her new spouse by walking her down the aisle. What we now consider an emotional and poignant occasion originated at a time when daughters were treated as property. The father would use his daughter as a type of cash to pay off debts or to elevate his social standing. It was also seen as a transfer of ownership of the bride between the father and the husband. Naturally, this perception has faded with time, and today, the father giving his daughter away represents the parents’ approval of the marriage. In today’s world, the bride is not always escorted down the aisle by her father, but by any key family member or loved one.
