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Have you ever wondered why certain
marriage traditions are still observed and where they originated from?
For a start, did you know the word
bride originally came from the English word 'cook'?
Many wedding traditions seem to stem
from a widely held belief in evil spirits and the need to ensure good
fortune and fertility.
Many ancient traditions have survived
and been passed down over the years. In fact most people observe these
traditions without knowing why they are doing them.
Wedding Traditions - Great Britain
and beyond.
For centuries the bride 'belonged' to
her father before marriage hence the tradition of him 'giving her away'.
Her property was also given to the groom and now she belonged to her
husband instead of her father.
In ancient history because a single
woman was a valuable asset to her family and many families were
reluctant to let them leave the family, the groom would kidnap his
bride. He would hold her on his left arm and keep his right arm free to
fight off would be suitors - hence the tradition of the groom standing
on the right of the bride during the ceremony. If the 'kidnapper' needed
any help he would ask someone to help and he became the 'best man'.
The tradition of the groom asking the
brides father for her hand in marriage was out of respect and
acknowledgment that the family were losing their daughter.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries,
marriages were usually arranged by parents. Often the bride and groom
had never met before the wedding and some were even arranged between
families whilst they were children.
Before 1753 and the Harwicke Act , most
marriages in England and Wales were informal family ceremonies where the
couple made their vows of commitment to each other. After the act was
introduced all marriages had to take place in a recognised place of
worship otherwise they were not valid.
Queen Victoria is said to have started
the tradition of a bride wearing white at her wedding as it symbolised
virginity and innocence.
The tradition of bridesmaids wearing beautiful
dresses similar to the bride was to confuse evil spirits who may decide
to kidnap the bride. More recently bridesmaid were the ones who helped
organise the wedding and wait on the bride.
Why something old, something new,
something borrowed and something blue?
Something old - Usually taken from a
parent or grandparent. To show the continuity of your old life into the
new one and the continuity of the family.
Something new - The start of your new
life as married person and success and good fortune.
Something borrowed - Chosen from a
happily married woman - often a family member - whom you admire
and this should bring good luck.
Something blue - Supposed to symbolise
love and fidelity.
Why a veil?
Thought to originate in the Middle East
where the groom was not allowed to see the bride before marriage
(usually arranged marriages where he had never seen her and might change
his mind)
The Roman custom for the bride to wear
a veil was to disguise her and protect her from evil spirits.
In Victorian times in England it was to
symbolise her virginity and modesty.
Why confetti?
The Pagans threw rice and other grains
at the married couple to represent fertility and continuity.
Why a wedding cake?
During the Middle ages the bride would
carry a bouquet of wheat and the grains were scattered after the wedding
ceremony. This was made into a cake which was broken over the brides
head to symbolise good luck and fertility.
Traditionally the wedding cake is cut
by the bride and groom to show they will share their new life together
and guests share the cake as good luck.
It is thought that King Charles II was
the first person to have a wedding cake decorated with icing sugar.
Why a bouquet?
Flowers have played an important part
throughout history. The smell of flowers were thought to protect against
infections such as the plague. The choice of flowers in the bouquet is
not only for their prettiness but are often chosen for certain symbolic
meanings e.g. beauty, fidelity, innocence, wisdom, love etc.
Why different sides of the church?
Goes back to when tribes had to be kept
separate in case they started fighting.
Carrying the bride over the
threshold.
Again two ideas for this one.
The Romans believed it bad luck for the
bride to trip the first time she entered her home, so she was carried
for safety.
The threshold of houses were often
thought to contain evil spirits so the groom had to carry his bride over
the threshold - therefore over the evil sprits - to ensure she started
out married life spell free.
Tying the knot!
Based on the Roman tradition of brides
wearing a knotted girdle for the groom to undo later.
Honeymoon
In parts of Europe it was once once not
unusual for the groom to kidnap his bride to be and keep her hidden for
one month - one moon - until she became his wife. To ensure she stayed
she would be made to drink metheglen, a wine made from mead and honey -
therefore honeymoon!
The Irish translation for "honeymoon"
is mi na meala, - the month of honey. An old Irish custom was for the
newlyweds to spend a month together drinking honeyed wine, secluded, in
case their families tried to separate them. This was particularly
possible if they they had eloped.
Other wedding traditions and customs
A lot customs and traditions are not
unique to any one country. Many of the above are practised, or were
traditionally practised throughout Europe, however, there are some it
seems, that are unique to certain areas.
Belgium - Traditionally the
bride carries a special handkerchief embroidered with her name and it is
passed down to each new bride in the family. A collection for the poor
is taken by the bridesmaids and thrown to beggars outside the church.
France - Famous for the 'bridal
trousseau' or 'the little bindle' of clothing the bride takes to the
grooms house before the wedding. As the newlyweds leave the wedding
site, laurel leaves are scattered in their path for them to walk over.
It is still sometimes known for the groom to visit the bride before the
wedding and escort her to the church.
Germany - German wedding
tradition says it's good luck for guests to bring old dishes to break.
The newlyweds then sweep up the broken pieces symbolizing good luck.
It is customary for the best man to 'kidnap' the bride from the
reception and take her to a local pub and drink champagne until the
groom finds them. The groom then has
to pay for all they drank!
Holland - One Dutch wedding
custom is for people to visit the bride's house before the wedding and
eat traditional sweetmeats and spiced wine. Traditionally, after the
ceremony the couple would sit under a canopy of pines where their
friends would give them gifts and wish them luck.
Spain - In much of Spain brides
traditionally wear orange blossom in their hair as it represents
happiness and fulfilment. Before the ceremony the groom gives his bride
thirteen coins to symbolise his ability to look after her and she
carries the coins to the ceremony in a little purse. At the reception
guests traditionally dance a "sequidillas manchegas" and present the
newlyweds with a gift.
Wales - Traditionally the bride
gives her bridesmaids a cutting of myrtle which is a symbol of love.
Tradition says that if the bridesmaid plants it and it blossoms she will
soon marry.
If you have any wedding
traditions or customs you would like us to include please
email them.
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