Music is said to be an universal language and like marriage, the old traditions they bring have also become an universal practice. Some countries around the world swear by these traditions as they are seen as superstitious while for others, it's simply a cultural custom. Have you ever wondered why there’s a garter toss, why bride’s wear something old or where the phrase ‘tying the knot' came from?
Here are some wedding traditions and superstitions explained.
1. Arachnophobia anyone?
“He who would wish to thrive must let spiders run alive,” is an old English proverb that signifies good fortune. The English trust that if a spider is found in a wedding dress, there will be good luck. Long ago the English had no doubt that killing a spider would invite financial downfall. Let’s just hope that the bride doesn’t have a phobia of creepy crawlers.
2. Rain or shine
Rain on your wedding day is actually considered good luck in many cultures. Rain symbolizes fertility, cleansing, unity and renewal. Those who have been rained on are said to one day bear children (fertility), hardships or sadness will be a thing of the past (cleansing), marriages will last (unity), and awful memories or circumstances will be washed away (renewal). Even though rain may be good luck, it's also best of luck to have a contingency plan.
3. Romantic or too much liquor?
There are different rationales for why grooms carry their newly wed bride over the threshold. The idea that she would be protected from evil spirits came from the Ancient Romans who thought the soles of bride’s feet were where evil spirits would enter from. In Medieval Europe, carrying the bride signified to the onlookers that she was not eager to lose her virginity. In today’s world it is thought to be a romantic gesture or could it be that she just had too much vino.
4. The wedding ring
For every person that marries, the ring symbolizes their love for one another and the constant reminder of what promises were made to each other. Dating back to the Pharos of Egypt, a ring symbolized eternity; no beginning or end. The origin of wearing your wedding ring on the fourth finger of your left hand came from both the Egyptians and Romans. This finger of the left hand was believed to have a special vein that was connected directly to the heart.
Wedding bands for both the bride and groom was never the norm in America until the second World War. Fearing that soldiers would never return home to their brides, wedding bands for each partner were introduced. It gave lonely soldiers comfort and eased the minds of brides that there were indeed always thought about.
5. Why Red?
Every wonder why Indian and Chinese brides adorn themselves in red dresses for their wedding day? Indian culture is full of rituals and traditions and a wedding is incomplete without the colour red. In Indian culture red is connected to the rising sun and according to astrology, the planet in charge of marriages, Mars, is red in colour. Wearing red signifies prosperity and fertility. For the Chinese culture red is the symbol of love, loyalty and honour. Red is seen throughout brides wedding dress, invitations, decor, flowers and even food. Offering gifts inside of lucky red envelopes affirm the couple’s future happiness and success.
Even though you may not be a traditional couple it's always fun to add your own twists to these customaries. Now that some of these wedding traditions and superstitions have been explained, which ones will you follow as you plan your wedding day?
Happy Planning,
Andriea