When it comes to weddings, everyone loves the traditions. The winter white dresses, the delicate diamond rings, and of course the wow worthy bridal parties. Each delicate element makes a wedding a big show for all and every couple has their own quirky vibe to add into the mix. With so many different wedding traditions, have you ever wondered where they originated from? Why do we have a best man? Why do brides and grooms get torn apart the night before?
Here at 123Print UK we did some investigating and from evil spirits to enduring beauty we have put together all we could find… Take a look and let us know if you can explain the mystery behind any more of these popular traditions which we still adhere to today…
Rings
- The Diamond Engagement Ring
Rarely seen sweeping ladies of their feet before the 1920’s, the diamond ring has a contemporary history which has grown and dominated the market mainly due to some clever marketing and business strategy in the 20th Century. Get the rings out ladies!
- The Wedding Ring
Whether sparkling with diamonds or donned in gold, the wedding ring was traditionally (and still contemporarily) worn as a symbol of eternal love. The reason we wear a ring stems back to some of the earliest societies, where it was believed that circles had the power to tie the souls of two people together for eternity. Cute.
- A Gold Wedding Ring
The common showstopper of many contemporary weddings, the tradition of a gold wedding ring dates back to the 1500’s when gold was believed to hold the key for enduring beauty, purity and strength. Three things every marriage needs.
- Fourth Finger on The Left Hand
The ancient Egyptians created many traditions which are still going strong today in our modern world. Speak to any historian and they will tell you that the 2000 year old civilization made some of the most ground breaking discoveries to man, such as eye make-up and the tradition to wear a ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. The reason behind why this finger was chosen: the simple belief that this finger held the only vein that went directly to your heart. Beautiful.
Bridal Parties
- Bridesmaids
Worried about evil spirits capturing you on your wedding day? Fear not if you have Bridesmaids! No seriously, the role of Bridesmaids has changed a little since the 16th century, but it was expected that all the bridesmaids would dress the same as the bride and guard her like a knight down the aisle confusing and warding off evil spirits. Knighthood for the maids anyone?!?
- The Best man
Still in use today… the tradition of the best man is to keep rowdy family members quiet (amongst other things!). Although if we look further back into the history books, the groom would take his strongest, most trustworthy best friend into a local village and it was his best man’s responsibility to help capture his bride. Interesting, but scary. . .
- The night before the wedding
Today it is common practice that the bride and groom have to spend the night before their wedding apart. This tradition dates back to the 1500’s when the Groom would spend the night in a church, asking for forgiveness for his sins before his wedding day.
Others
- The Wedding Cake
We want to say there’s many layers behind the tradition of the wedding cake, but sadly it was only believed that the wedding cake was used to symbolize fertility in the marriage.
- Tie the knot
There are many theories for why this phrase is popular today. One is that Roman women would take many hours slowly tying their girdle in many knots and after the wedding it was the duty of only the groom to untie those knots as fast as possible. Have you seen Spartacus… sound more plausible?
- Confetti
In a time of little and pagans, confetti was made up of old rice or grain and was thrown at the Bride and Groom to wish them a life of plenty. Sweet.
- Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
Something old is to signify continuity of the couples love, something new signifies optimism for the future, something borrowed represents the enduring happiness of their relationship and something blue represents fidelity, loyalty and the hope of children. The bride would be expected to have each of these items in her possession, whereas the Groom would only be expected to carry “Something Blue”.
Do you know any of mysteries behind Wedding traditions? Let us know in the comments below!