SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW …
We've all heard this rhyme used when someone gets married, but what does it mean? Wearing "something old" represents the bride's past, while the "something new" symbolizes the couple's happy future. The bride is supposed to get her "something borrowed" from someone who is happily married in the hope that some of that person's good fortune rubs off on her. "Something blue" denotes fidelity and love.
WEARING A VEIL:
This custom traces its roots back to Rome. Fearing evil spirits were jealous of her happiness, the bride would wear a veil down the aisle to disguise herself from them and avoid any ill will they would bring upon her.
RAIN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY:
In some cultures, rain on your wedding day symbolizes fertility and cleansing. While it might seem like it would quite literally put a damper on the festivities, we say take it all in stride: At the end of the day, you're still marrying the love of your life, and that's what really matters.
CARRYING THE BRIDE OVER THE THRESHOLD:
This superstition began in medieval Europe, when many believed that a bride was extra vulnerable to evil spirits through the soles of her feet. To avoid bringing in any evil spirits, the groom carried the bride into their new home.
RINGING BELLS:
Bells are traditionally chimed at Irish weddings to keep evil spirits away and to ensure a harmonious family life. Some Irish brides even carry small bells in their bouquets as a reminder of their sacred wedding vows, and they are a common gift for newlyweds.
BREAKING GLASS:
In Italy, many newlyweds smash a vase or glass at their wedding, and they put a lot of muscle into it, too! Why? According to tradition, however many pieces the glassware breaks into will symbolize how many years the couple will be happily married.
TOSSING THE GARTER:
Back in the Dark Ages, the garter was considered a hot item. It's said that family and friends would wait outside the nuptial bedchamber until they were shown evidence—sheets, stockings, a garter—that the marriage had been consummated (seriously!). In time, the garter came to symbolize good luck, and rowdy guests began making a game of trying to strip the bride of that little fabric band. To distract the mob, brides began tossing it into the crowd. Today, the practice usually involves the groom throwing the garter to a group of single men; whoever catches it is believed to be the next to marry.
CAKE TOPPER:
When Queen Victoria opted to crown her wedding cake with mini sculptures of herself and Prince Albert in 1840, the bride-and-groom cake topper was born. By the 1920s, the trend had crossed the pond to the United States, gaining popularity in the 1950s when couple figurines came to symbolize marital stability. Today, toppers aren't always cookie-cutter brides and grooms, but personalized sculptures highlighting a pair's identities, pets, or hobbies.
SEEING EACH OTHER BEFORE THE WEDDING:
This superstition dates back to the time of arranged marriages, when people believed that if the couple saw each other before the ceremony, it would give them a chance to change their minds about the wedding. Today, however, many couples choose to meet up and even have portrait sessions before saying their I dos. Some, however, choose to have a "first touch," during which they can hold hands and chat but still wait to see each other.
WEARING WEDDING RINGS:
The practice of exchanging rings dates backs to ancient Egypt—nearly 3,000 years ago. Old Egyptian scrolls suggest that couples gave each other rings made out of hemp or reeds. However, in order to preserve the otherwise fragile nature of these wedding bands, they turned to stronger materials such as bone and ivory. Furthermore, the Egyptians believed that marital rings symbolized eternal love through the infinite shape of the band.
WHITE WEDDING DRESSES:
One of the first wedding trendsetters was Queen Victoria, when she married Prince Albert in 1840. She donned the first white bridal gown, which was made out of Honiton lace and cream Spitalfields silk satin. The press made her bridal fashion an overnight success as it spread internationally, and thus the tradition of the white wedding dress began. Additionally, white is also considered to represent purity and virtue in some societies.
BRIDESMAIDS AND GROOMSMEN:
Having bridesmaids dates back to ancient Rome where, in order for a wedding to be legally binding, there had to be at least 10 witnesses present. The role of the bridesmaid was to dress very similar to the bride in order to confuse evil spirits who may try to harm the newlyweds. In Christianity, the term bridesmaid is taken in its literal form: a maid to help the bride on her wedding day.
The role of the groomsmen originated in Biblical times where they were tasked to capture the bride from her family. The best man would be the head of the kidnapping. But in a more romantic setting, groomsmen could also be seen as the bride’s protection force against family members who opposed the marriage, thus ensuring that she marries the man that she loves.
We've all heard this rhyme used when someone gets married, but what does it mean? Wearing "something old" represents the bride's past, while the "something new" symbolizes the couple's happy future. The bride is supposed to get her "something borrowed" from someone who is happily married in the hope that some of that person's good fortune rubs off on her. "Something blue" denotes fidelity and love.
WEARING A VEIL:
This custom traces its roots back to Rome. Fearing evil spirits were jealous of her happiness, the bride would wear a veil down the aisle to disguise herself from them and avoid any ill will they would bring upon her.
RAIN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY:
In some cultures, rain on your wedding day symbolizes fertility and cleansing. While it might seem like it would quite literally put a damper on the festivities, we say take it all in stride: At the end of the day, you're still marrying the love of your life, and that's what really matters.
CARRYING THE BRIDE OVER THE THRESHOLD:
This superstition began in medieval Europe, when many believed that a bride was extra vulnerable to evil spirits through the soles of her feet. To avoid bringing in any evil spirits, the groom carried the bride into their new home.
RINGING BELLS:
Bells are traditionally chimed at Irish weddings to keep evil spirits away and to ensure a harmonious family life. Some Irish brides even carry small bells in their bouquets as a reminder of their sacred wedding vows, and they are a common gift for newlyweds.
BREAKING GLASS:
In Italy, many newlyweds smash a vase or glass at their wedding, and they put a lot of muscle into it, too! Why? According to tradition, however many pieces the glassware breaks into will symbolize how many years the couple will be happily married.
TOSSING THE GARTER:
Back in the Dark Ages, the garter was considered a hot item. It's said that family and friends would wait outside the nuptial bedchamber until they were shown evidence—sheets, stockings, a garter—that the marriage had been consummated (seriously!). In time, the garter came to symbolize good luck, and rowdy guests began making a game of trying to strip the bride of that little fabric band. To distract the mob, brides began tossing it into the crowd. Today, the practice usually involves the groom throwing the garter to a group of single men; whoever catches it is believed to be the next to marry.
CAKE TOPPER:
When Queen Victoria opted to crown her wedding cake with mini sculptures of herself and Prince Albert in 1840, the bride-and-groom cake topper was born. By the 1920s, the trend had crossed the pond to the United States, gaining popularity in the 1950s when couple figurines came to symbolize marital stability. Today, toppers aren't always cookie-cutter brides and grooms, but personalized sculptures highlighting a pair's identities, pets, or hobbies.
SEEING EACH OTHER BEFORE THE WEDDING:
This superstition dates back to the time of arranged marriages, when people believed that if the couple saw each other before the ceremony, it would give them a chance to change their minds about the wedding. Today, however, many couples choose to meet up and even have portrait sessions before saying their I dos. Some, however, choose to have a "first touch," during which they can hold hands and chat but still wait to see each other.
WEARING WEDDING RINGS:
The practice of exchanging rings dates backs to ancient Egypt—nearly 3,000 years ago. Old Egyptian scrolls suggest that couples gave each other rings made out of hemp or reeds. However, in order to preserve the otherwise fragile nature of these wedding bands, they turned to stronger materials such as bone and ivory. Furthermore, the Egyptians believed that marital rings symbolized eternal love through the infinite shape of the band.
WHITE WEDDING DRESSES:
One of the first wedding trendsetters was Queen Victoria, when she married Prince Albert in 1840. She donned the first white bridal gown, which was made out of Honiton lace and cream Spitalfields silk satin. The press made her bridal fashion an overnight success as it spread internationally, and thus the tradition of the white wedding dress began. Additionally, white is also considered to represent purity and virtue in some societies.
BRIDESMAIDS AND GROOMSMEN:
Having bridesmaids dates back to ancient Rome where, in order for a wedding to be legally binding, there had to be at least 10 witnesses present. The role of the bridesmaid was to dress very similar to the bride in order to confuse evil spirits who may try to harm the newlyweds. In Christianity, the term bridesmaid is taken in its literal form: a maid to help the bride on her wedding day.
The role of the groomsmen originated in Biblical times where they were tasked to capture the bride from her family. The best man would be the head of the kidnapping. But in a more romantic setting, groomsmen could also be seen as the bride’s protection force against family members who opposed the marriage, thus ensuring that she marries the man that she loves.