Groom Glancing At Bride: Royal Wedding Etiquette

There is a long-standing superstition that the groom should not see the bride before the wedding ceremony. This tradition dates back to when marriages were arranged, and it was considered bad luck for the couple to meet before the wedding. The belief was that if the groom saw the bride before the wedding, he might not find her attractive and could call off the marriage, bringing shame to the bride's family. To prevent this, brides would wear a veil to conceal their faces until the very last moment, when it was too late for the groom to back out. Today, this superstition has evolved, and many couples choose to do a first look before the ceremony, adding a romantic twist to the tradition.

The groom not seeing the bride is considered bad luck

In the past, it was considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding ceremony. This superstition dates back to when marriages were arranged and served as business deals between families. The bride's family would often keep her concealed until the groom lifted the veil, as they believed that if the groom saw the bride beforehand, he might not find her attractive, and this could cause him to call off the wedding.

The veil played a significant role in this tradition, as it prevented the groom from knowing what the bride looked like until the last moment—when it was too late to back out. This superstition was born out of the desire to ensure that the groom would follow through with his commitment to marry the bride, a commitment often made for business or financial purposes.

Today, this superstition has largely been debunked, with many couples choosing to do a "first look" before the ceremony. However, some couples still choose to adhere to this tradition, saving the special moment of seeing each other for the actual wedding ceremony. While it is no longer considered as bad luck, some couples still prefer to keep the wedding attire a surprise until the big moment.

While the groom seeing the bride before the wedding is no longer considered bad luck, some couples may still choose to follow this tradition to create a memorable moment during the ceremony. Ultimately, the decision to follow this superstition or not is a personal choice and depends on the couple's preferences and beliefs.

The tradition stems from arranged marriages

The tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding ceremony stems from the time when marriages were arranged. In this era, the bride and groom were not allowed to see or meet each other until they were at the altar, as it was considered bad luck. The groom's family would choose his bride, often for business purposes, and the bride's family would be keen to ensure the groom followed through with his commitment.

The bride's parents would worry that if the couple met before the wedding, the groom might not find the bride attractive and could call off the marriage. This would result in serious shame for the bride and her family. The veil was also used to prevent the groom from knowing what the bride looked like until the last moment—when it was too late to change his mind.

Nowadays, this tradition has evolved into a romantic idea that the couple should keep their wedding attire a surprise until the ceremony. However, with the decline of arranged marriages, this superstition has become less common, and many couples now choose to see each other before the wedding.

In modern times, the groom seeing the bride's dress before the wedding is also considered bad luck and is thought to invalidate the wedding vows. However, this is just a superstition, and many couples choose to involve the groom in the dress selection process or show him pictures of the dress. Ultimately, it is a personal choice for the couple to make, and there is no right or wrong answer.

The veil was used to prevent the groom from seeing the bride

The wedding veil has a long and varied history. Its use to prevent the groom from seeing the bride can be traced back to Roman and Greek times, when it was a complete head-to-toe covering. In ancient Greece, the veil was yellow, and in ancient Rome, it was red. These bright colours served to ward off evil spirits and demons, which the bride was fearful of.

As the veil was thick and coloured, it obscured the bride's vision, leading to the tradition of the father walking his daughter down the aisle. Arranged marriages were common, and the groom often wouldn't have seen the bride's face until the veil was lifted at the ceremony. The veil was thus used to ensure the groom went through with the marriage, even if he didn't find the bride attractive.

Over time, the style and meaning of the veil changed. It became a symbol of chastity, with white veils accompanying white wedding dresses, which were seen as a symbol of virginity. In some cultures and religions, the veil continues to hold symbolic significance. For example, in Judaism, the groom covers the bride's face with her veil during the Bedeken ceremony, in reference to the Biblical story of Jacob, who was tricked into marrying Leah, who was disguised with a veil, instead of her sister Rachel, his intended.

In modern times, the superstition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding has evolved into the romantic idea that the couple should keep their wedding attire a surprise until the ceremony.

The superstition is no longer common practice

The superstition that a groom shouldn't see the bride before the wedding ceremony is no longer a common practice. This tradition dates back to when marriages were arranged, and it was considered bad luck for the soon-to-be newlyweds to meet before the wedding. The belief was that if the groom saw the bride before the wedding, he might not find her attractive and would call off the wedding, bringing shame to the bride and her family. The bride's veil also played a part in this superstition, as it was meant to prevent the groom from seeing the bride's face until the last possible moment, making it too late for him to back out.

However, in modern times, this superstition has evolved, and couples are increasingly choosing to do a "first look" before the ceremony. The "first look" is a moment for the couple to see each other and appreciate each other's company before the wedding. It allows them to capture the emotions of seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day in a more intimate setting, without the audience of guests. Wedding photographers can capture these special moments, and the couple can also choose to take pre-ceremony pictures with the bridal party afterward.

While some couples still choose to adhere to the traditional superstition and save the first look for the ceremony, it is no longer a widely followed practice. Many couples nowadays make their weddings more personal and unique, and not seeing each other before the wedding is not considered a necessity. Instead, couples focus on creating meaningful moments and incorporating their own preferences into their special day.

Additionally, the practice of the groom not seeing the bride's dress before the wedding is also becoming less common. Some couples choose to involve the groom in the dress selection process, while others opt for a surprise, keeping the dress a secret until the wedding day. Ultimately, the decision to follow or disregard this superstition is a personal choice, and couples can choose what feels right for them.

Some couples opt for a first look before the ceremony

While the superstition that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding ceremony dates back to when marriages were arranged, many couples today opt for a "first look" before the ceremony. This is when the couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day at a designated time and place before the official formalities begin.

The first look usually takes place about two hours before the ceremony and provides the couple with a private moment together as well as time to take portraits with their wedding party and family. This can help ease pre-wedding nerves and ensure the couple gets to spend time together on their big day. It also means that the couple can get to their cocktail hour or reception sooner, as fewer photos need to be taken after the ceremony.

A first look can also be a creative opportunity for the couple. For example, they might choose to read letters to each other from opposite sides of a door or have a first look with their father or mother before seeing their partner.

However, there are also some potential downsides to consider. For example, having a first look might add pressure to react a certain way or share emotions on camera. It could also conflict with cultural customs or religious beliefs that dictate the couple should not see each other before the ceremony. Additionally, the couple might need to start their day earlier and may have to pay their beauty team for an earlier arrival.

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