There are a wide variety of wedding traditions that have become so common many don't know where they came from. Do you ever wonder why the bride wears a white dress on her wedding day, carries a bouquet, or wears a veil? These things happen in almost every wedding, but there are reasons why. Whether it's due to tradition or superstition, here are some of the most common wedding traditions.
White Dress
Wearing a white wedding dress dates back to the 1800s. Many people have their own theories as to why it's a white dress that is worn. Some people think it's because white represents purity, while others believe white is simply a neutral color that goes with everything. However, neither of these are the real reason the white wedding dress is worn.
- Before the 1800s, there were no specific wedding dress colors. Brides would wear their best dress, regardless of the color.
- In 1840, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, and she wore a white wedding gown.
- Ever since then, a bride wearing a white dress has been the tradition.
Contrary to popular belief, white was not the traditional color of purity. In fact, back in Biblical times, blue was considered the color of purity.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
You have probably heard this old rhyme. It has been long said that a bride should wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on her wedding day. Something old represents the family of the bride and the past and is usually represented by an old piece of jewelry or something that has been in the family for several generations. Something new signifies the start of the future, the new life with the bride's new husband. Most often, the wedding dress is what represents the new item. Something borrowed refers to borrowed happiness, and it usually means the bride borrows something from a family member or close friend to wear on her wedding day. The blue refers to purity and love, and there are a variety of ways it can be integrated into the bride's wedding attire.
Bouquet
When you attend a wedding, you usually see lots of flowers. They are used to decorate the wedding chapel, and oftentimes the bride and her bridesmaids carry bouquets of flowers while they are walking down the aisle. This tradition is another that dates back to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's marriage. Before their wedding, it was more common for herbs to be carried by the bride. This was because of the superstition that these herbs could keep evil spirts away. However, Queen Victoria used flowers instead of herbs, and ever since then, flowers have been the more common choice.
Veil
A bride almost always wears a veil when she walks down the aisle. It is often seen as a beautiful accessory to the wedding dress, but it actually dates back to the Greeks and Romans. They believed wearing a wedding veil offered protection from the evil spirits that they thought would try to come to the wedding to curse the bride and groom. Over time, the veil started becoming more of a display of wealth, as those in the Victorian era started wearing fancier and more intricate veils.
Garter Toss
During the wedding reception, the groom often removes the garter from the bride's leg and tosses it to the unmarried men. It is believed whoever catches the garter will supposedly be the next one to get married. While it's a fun tradition now, it used to be so the bride and groom could prove their marriage had been consummated.
These are just a few of the many common wedding traditions. Most of them date back to historical times, and some were a result of superstition.
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