Timeless Traditions Even some of the oldest wedding traditions have taken on unique new twists…
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW…
Something old, something new Something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in your shoe
History:
This popular rhyme originated in Victorian times although some of the customs referred in it are much older. The ‘something old’ represents the couples friends who will hopefully remain close during the marriage. Traditionally this was an old garter which was given to the bride by a happily married woman in the hope that her happiness would be passed on to the new bride. ‘Something new’ symbolises the newlyweds' happy and prosperous future. The ‘something borrowed’ is often lent by the bride's family and is an item much valued by the family which the bride must return to ensure good luck. The custom of the bride wearing ‘something blue’ originated in ancient Israel where the bride wore a blue ribbon in her hair to represent fidelity. The placing of a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe was to ensure wealth in the couples married life.
Modern twist:
‘Something old’ is much more likely to be a cherished piece of jewellery, than a hand-me-down garter; ‘something blue’ is usually a garter worn by the bride under her dress and today’s bride usually wears an old coin in their shoe during the ceremony as silver sixpences are hard to find! The groom can get involved too by wearing his father’s cuff links or a blue handkerchief.
TOSSING THE BOUQUET
History:
In the 14th century, having a piece of the bride’s clothing was thought to bring marriage and good fortune. In order to obtain a piece of this lucky attire, guests would grab at the wedding dress and tear pieces off it, leaving the dress in tatters. In order to stop this practice, brides began throwing items at the guests such as her shoe or garter belt, with good luck going to whoever caught it.
Modern twist:
Rather than running the risk of injuring a guest by throwing her shoe, today’s bride throws her bouquet over her shoulder where her unmarried female guests group together. Tradition holds that the one who catches the bouquet will be the next one to marry. If you want to save your bouquet, have a small ‘fortune’ bouquet made-up just for throwing.
WEDDING FLOWERS
History:
The wedding bouquet originally symbolised a woman in bloom and contained a variety of flowers, herbs and spices believed to ward off evil spirits. Sometimes dill was carried as it was believed to promote intimacy between the bride and groom. The dill would later be eaten out of the bouquet. The groom wears a flower (on his jacket) that is the same colour as the flowers in the bride's bouquet. This tradition originated from the Medieval period when a knight would carry his lady's colours as a declaration of his true love for her
Modern twist:
Much of the traditional meaning behind the flowers used has been lost in favour of brides choosing their favourite flowers. The colour of the flowers and whether or not they are in season have become much more important than their properties or traditional meanings. Exotic grasses, diamantes, feathers, wire and ribbons are all used in bouquets today. The groom still wears a buttonhole, but these are personal style statements and have become increasingly elaborate.
TOSSING RICE
History:
Believing that newlyweds brought good luck, guests used to shower them with nuts and grains to ensure a bountiful harvest, and many children to work the land. During years of a poor harvest, rice was tossed instead.
 Modern twist:
Today's newlyweds are toasted in much the same way. However, today's wedding guests use birdseed, balloons, bubbles, the ringing of bells or the releasing of doves to shower the couple with good wishes.
BRIDESMAIDS
History:
Inviting women to be members of the bridal party dates back to ancient times. One Roman custom was to dress the bridesmaids in a fashion similar to the bride's to confuse evil spirits trying to kidnap the bride. Bridesmaids also had the role of fending off unsuitable suitors, leaving the bride for her groom.
Modern twist:
Rather than fending off evil spirits the bridemaids role today is to be a support, confident and helper to the busy bride. Although maids are still dressed to look alike, this is much more to do with fashion than anything else. Your maid is also just as likely to be a much loved male friend as female
THE BESTMAN
History:
Many centuries ago, before the women's rights movement, men who had decided upon a wife often had to forcefully take her with him (or kidnap her) if her family did not approve of him. The groom-tobe would sometimes face resistance from family members or competing suitors and would bring along his ‘best men’ to help him fight for the woman.
Modern twist:
Today the best man and ushers are honorary positions. Their role is to support and assist the groom, rather than fight for him. It’s not uncommon for a groom to choose a female friend as his ‘best man’, or to elect several best men who can share the duties between them.
THIRD FINGER, LEFT HAND
History:
A bride's engagement ring and wedding ring are traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand (the finger next to your little finger). Although there is no precise evidence to explain the origin of this tradition, there are two strongly held beliefs. The first, dating back to the 17th century, is that during a Christian wedding the priest arrived at the fourth finger (counting the thumb) after touching the three fingers on the left hand '...in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost'. The second refers to an Egyptian belief that the ring finger follows the vena amoris, that is, the vein of love that runs directly to the heart.
Modern twist:
The groom now joins the bride in wearing a ring on the same finger.
DECORATING THE CAR
History:
Back in the Middle Ages, it was traditional for people to bang pots, ring cowbells and generally make a lot of discordant noise after the ceremony to ward off evil spirits.
Modern twist: In modern history, it has become traditional to tie tin cans to the bumper in reflection of this old practice. The display is often elaborated with garlands, paper streamers, shaving foam, silly string and hand made signs saying ‘just married’.
THROWING SHOES
History:
Ancient Romans used to transfer to the groom his authority over his bride when her father gave the groom her shoes. In later years, guests threw their own shoes at the newlyweds to signify this transfer of authority.
Modern twist:
Today, this tradition is kept alive by tying old shoes to the back of the newlywed's vehicle before they leave their wedding reception celebration.
STAG PARTIES
History:
These rowdy parties were the invention of the Spartan Soldiers when it became customary for the groom to feast with his friends the night before the wedding, often celebrating his last night of freedom by getting severely drunk.
Modern twist:
Not much has changed on the stag front, although these are rarely held the night before the wedding day after hang-overs were responsible for numerous grooms missing the occasion. In modern times, women have decided they also want their night of fun, so now it is traditional for women to have their ‘hen’ parties as well.
WEARING WHITE
History: 
The tradition for the bride to wear white began in the 16th century. During Victorian times, it was a sign of affluence - since it was assumed that a woman would only be able to wear a white gown once or twice before it became soiled. The tradition became solidified in 1840 when Queen Victoria (rebelling against the tradition of Royal brides wearing silver) instead wore white for her wedding to Prince Albert.
Modern twist:
Although white is still seen as a sign of purity, it’s no longer the preserve of the ‘virgin’ bride. The vast majority of brides still choose to wear white (or a shade off) but wedding dresses are available in a whole kaledescope of colours and more and more brides are wearing colours that they feel best reflect their personality.
WEDDING FAVOURS
History:
Because the bride and groom were believed to be lucky, anything they touched was seen as a good luck charm and so small gifts were given to wedding guests to bring them good luck throughout the year.
Modern twist:
Today wedding favours are given as a token thank-you to guests for sharing in the celebrations. They come in all shapes and forms, ranging from traditional sugar-coated almonds to candles, seeds, flowers, chocolates, poems and mini bottles of perfume or wine.
LOST IN HISTORY - Age-old customs that didn’t stand the test of time…
- It was traditional for a member of the bride’s family to throw a plate with a piece of wedding cake out a window when the bride returned to her family home after the wedding. If the plate broke, she could expect a happy future with her husband. If the plate remained intact, the future looked grim.
- While the bride and groom were in their bridal chamber, wedding guests would sneak into the chamber picking up discarded stockings and throwing them at the couple. Whoever flung a stocking that hung on the bride or groom’s nose, would be the next to marry.
- A week before the wedding, it was considered good luck for the bride to have a cat eat out of her left shoe.
- A 1775 law stated that a wedding was not legal if the bride wore any make-up during the ceremony. Make-up was considered an ensnarement and so the groom would have been trapped by the illusion of make-up
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