Wedding Traditions.....

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Good Morning,

Have you ever wondered why the bride stands to the left of the groom? or why the wedding ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand? The origins and meaning behind some of our most cherished wedding traditions may surprise you.  Many traditions can be definitively traced back to their roots. Today we look at  some of the more common and popular stories behind these traditions.

Tossing the Bouquet

Tossing the bouquet is a tradition that comes from England.  Female guests used to try to rip pieces of the bride's dress and flowers in order to obtain some of her good luck. To stop this from happening the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. Today the bouquet is tossed to single women with the belief that whoever catches it will be the next to marry, Normally the bridesmaids !!

"Something borrowed" usually comes from a happily married woman and is thought to lend some of her good fortune and joy to the new bride.

 

Giving Away the Bride
The tradition of the bride being giving away from her father, has its roots in the days of arranged marriages. Daughters in those times were considered their father's property. It was the father's right to give his child to the groom, usually for a price. Today a father giving away his daughter is a symbol of his blessing of the marriage.

The Wedding Ring

A wedding ring has been worn on the third finger of the left hand since Roman times. They believed that the vein in that finger runs directly to the heart. The wedding ring is a never-ending circle, which symbolises everlasting love.

Bride on Groom's Left

These originates from Anglo-Saxon times. Grooms in Anglo-Saxon England often had to defend their brides, the bride would stand to the left of her groom so that his sword arm was free.

The Tiered Wedding Cake

The origin of the tiered wedding cake also lies in Anglo-Saxon times. Guests would bring small cakes to the wedding and stack them on top of each other. Later, a clever French baker created a cake in the shape of the small cakes and covered it in frosting. It is now known as the tiered cake. Nowadays cupcakes are more fashionable and even things such as cheese cakes or profiteroles!

The Best Man

In past times, men sometimes captured women to make them their brides. A man would take along his strongest and most trusted friend to help him fight resistance from the woman's family. This friend, therefore, was considered the best man among his friends. In Anglo-Saxon England, the best man accompanied the groom up the aisle to help defend the bride.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue,

   "Something old" represents the bride's link to her family and the past. The bride may choose to wear a piece of family jewelry or her mother or grandmother's wedding gown. Or in today's way a old ring maybe in-copriated into the brides bouquet.

"Something new" represents hope for good fortune and success in the future. The bride often chooses the wedding gown to represent the new item.

"Something borrowed" usually comes from a happily married woman and is thought to lend some of her good fortune and joy to the new bride. Nowadays a bridesmaid will offer her earring's,

"Something blue" is a symbol of love, fidelity, and purity of the bride.

And a common extra one,
A sixpence in her shoe is to wish the bride wealth in her future life!