WEDDING TRADITION OR SUPERSTITION?
WHY CAN'T THE GROOM SEE THE BRIDE BEFORE THE CEREMONY? WHY DOES THE GROOM STAND ON THE RIGHT OF THE BRIDE?
THESE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF THE TRADITIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS TIED TO THE HISTORY OF THE WEDDING CEREMONY. HERE, WE'LL EXPLAIN THEM ALL, SO YOU CAN DECIDE WHETHER TO INCLUDE THEM IN YOUR WEDDING PLANNING.
Wedding traditions and superstitions have played a huge part in the history of weddings across the globe.
If you’re busy planning your wedding, you’ve probably been searching for the answers to some of these traditions and to what they actually mean.
We've put together this handy guide, so you’ll know exactly which traditions you want to ditch, and what the traditions you choose to keep actually mean!
Why does the Groom stand to the right of the Bride?
The Groom stands to the right of the Bride during the wedding ceremony so that the groom can protect her with his left arm and use his sword with the right.
This tradition has been passed down over the years from when the groom would need to fight anyone who was trying to steal his wife. In most cases, women had many admirers or suitors for her hand in marriage.
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Why is the Groom supposed to "Carry the bride over the threshold"
An old wives tale states that its bad luck for the bride to trip up on her wedding day. Not only that, but a lifetime of bad luck would fall on the couple if the bride were to trip up upon entering her new home.
Before we had a thin metal plate holding down carpet between 2 rooms, a thick piece of wood would be used to hold down the thresh (threshold) 100s of years ago. It was very common for people to trip over it upon entering the house. Because of this, it became customary for the Groom to carry the Bride over it, as to avoid this occurance.
Why do flower girls lay petals down the aisle before the Bride enters?
Now, this one ties in nicely with the threshold tradition. It was thought that as a bride would enter the ceremony room, demons would try their best to trip the bride up by grabbing her ankles, thus giving her bad luck.
Flower petals were laid out down the aisle, as they were seen as a deterant to any unwanted demons during the ceremony. This one does sound a little far fetched, whether you believe in demons or not. But are you willing to take that risk?
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Why do we get down on one knee to propose?
In the Middle Ages, men would bend down in front of the women they loved or adored. Its also a sign of respect and loyalty.
No one is completely sure of this traditions origins, but its still a tradition that is alive and kicking today. We believe its a sign that you’re willing to commit the rest of your life to giving your other half what they need and want.
Why can't a couple see each other before they're at the alter?
This tradition dates way back to the days of arranged marriages. The couple weren’t allowed to see each other before the ceremony for fear they’d pull out of the marriage!
In this day and age, it’s mainly seen as unlucky to see your other half on the morning of your wedding. Most people just choose keep with this tradition to build up excitement and give them a surprise when they walk down the aisle.
READ MORE -> CAN YOU IMAGINE HAVING WEDDING PHOTOS LIKE THESE?
Why is the Bride given away?
This is a tradition that still lives on today and comes from when brides would marry into a wealthy or royal family. It was seen as the bride being given away to another family sort of speak.
Nowadays its just a tradition of the father giving his daughter away into another family. It is totally up to the bride who gives them away. It can be a special moment to share with your dad, but you’ve got to feel comfortable.
Why do we wear our ring on the 4th finger of the left hand?
The Romans, believed 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 it's more practical.
There are many countries and cultures that actually use the same finger on their right hand.
As far as superstitions go, it is said to be unlucky for a bride to try on her wedding ring before marriage. It is also said that whichever of the couple drops the ring in church shall be the first to die.
What does "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" mean?
“Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” is a rhyme from the Victorian age.
Something old represents the brides past and the life with her family. Some brides choose to wear a piece of family jewellery or their mothers wedding dress.
Something new signifies good fortune and success in the bride’s new life. More often than not, the wedding dress symbolises the new item, or sometimes the bride’s shoes.
Something borrowed is to remind the couple that their family is always there for support and help. The borrowed object is usually something small, like a hair pin or something similar.
The something blue symbolises faithfulness and loyalty. This tradition dates back hundreds of years when blue represented purity. You'll find that alot of bride’s garters have a blue ribbon on it.
Why does the bride throw her bouquet?
The brides bouquet originally was carried to hide the bride’s bad odour. Hundreds of years ago, families would only wash once a year (around May or June) and by the time the wedding had come around, the bride would already be starting to smell a little. The bouquet was carried to hide the scent. This is also the reason why wedding season starts in May or June.
Traditionally, the bride also throws her bouquet at the end of the wedding. This is a still a very popular tradition of weddings today.
It is said that whoever catches the bouquet will be next to be married.
Why do we "Tie the Knot"?
The phrase ‘tie the knot’ comes from a wedding tradition as old as time itself.
An ancient Celtic practice, which dates back to the medieval era, literally binds couples together in matrimony by tying knots of cloth around their hands. And so two become one.
Why does the bride wear a veil?
A brides wedding veil hides her beauty and superstition suggests it wards off evil demons. Another explanation is that the bride’s face would be covered until the groom had committed to the marriage, especially in arranged marriages.
Oh, and don’t let your friend try on your veil either. Superstition states it means she’ll run off with your husband.
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