Wedding Traditions

Bridal Dress Wearing a new white dress to be used only for a wedding ceremony is a tradition that is only about 150 years old. Before that, few women could afford a dress they would wear only once. White traditionally symbolizes youth and innocence. Red and orange are popular in Asia and the Middle East, where they are considered joyful and festive colors.

Veils and Bridesmaids Roman brides wore veils 2,000 years ago. Veils were worn as a sign of modesty and secrecy and were removed only by the husband after the wedding ceremony. In some Eastern countries a veil is placed between the man and woman throughout the wedding ceremony. This ensures that they cannot see or touch one another until after the marriage. Bridesmaids first appeared in wedding ceremonies in the Middle Ages. Two young girls—usually sisters—dressed alike, carried the bride’s veil in the procession. Now the two girls could be some friends of the bride or young relatives.

Wedding Bouquet Ancient Roman brides wore bunches of herbs under their veils as symbols of fidelity. Orange blossoms are symbols of happiness and fertility because the orange tree blooms and bears fruit at the same time. Roses are the flowers of love, making June, the month of roses, the most popular wedding month. The early Greeks believed ivy to be the sign of everlasting love. It is still used to trim wedding bouquets.

Bouquet Throwing In Medieval Europe, after the wedding, single women chased the bride and ripped pieces off her dress, considering to give them good luck and a good marriage. At present, to prevent guests from ripping the wedding dress, brides began throwing her bouquet as a distraction. Single women run to catch it as the bouquet as a symbol of a close marriage.

Rings Engagement rings originated from the custom of exchanging rings to seal an important agreement. Rings are circular and without end to symbolize eternal love. A wedding ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand because it was believed that a vein or nerve ran directly from this finger to the heart.

Rice throwing Rice is a symbol of fertility and long life. Guests throw it at the bride and groom as a wish for children and a good life. Other good luck charms are confetti, blossoms, corn, barley, chickpeas, and dates and figs to sweeten the marriage.

Cake Using wheat and grains in the making of wedding cakes is an ancient symbol of fertility. In ancient Rome a thin loaf of bread was broken over the marrying couple's heads. The crumbs were saved and taken home by the guests as tokens of good luck. Tiered wedding cakes originated in old England, where the bride and groom kissed over a stack of little cakes.

Honeymoon This first vacation taken by a newly married couple dates back to very early times when a groom wanted to hide the wife he had captured. The Teutons, an ancient German tribe, gave the honeymoon its name. After the wedding ceremony, honey was drunk until the moon waned.