Junior Rasmussen
Weddings have evolved over the centuries, with traditions and customs varying across cultures, ethnicities, religions, and social classes. In medieval times, marriages were often formalised by a public announcement and a kiss, with ceremonies taking place over a local blacksmith's anvil. Over time, weddings became associated with churches and began to include elements such as music, poetry, prayers, and readings from religious texts. The fashion and style of weddings have also undergone significant changes, with bridal gowns and traditions such as the wearing of white influenced by historical figures like Queen Victoria. The roles of the wedding party have evolved as well, with the best man originally being the groom's protector rather than a friend or relative. Other traditions, such as the throwing of rice and carrying of bouquets, have deep roots in ancient times, while new trends continue to emerge, influenced by factors like mass communication and popular culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding attire | In the US, brides wore corsets made of velvet or silk in 1912. In Britain, page boys wearing sailor suits were popular at the turn of the century. In the 1920s, slim lines, short hemlines, and cloche veils were in style for brides. The tradition of bridesmaids wearing matching dresses dates back to ancient Rome, where they also wore the same dress as the bride to confuse evil spirits. Queen Victoria popularized the white wedding dress and veil in the 1840s. |
| Wedding customs | Wedding rings date back to ancient Egypt, and were adopted by Christians in Europe during the Middle Ages. The tradition of tossing rice, which symbolizes fertility, also has ancient roots. Bouquets were originally made of herbs to promote fertility and ward off evil spirits. The wedding cake also has ancient roots, with grooms originally crumbling bread over the bride's head for good luck. The "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" tradition symbolizes the bride's bond with her family, her future with her spouse, loyalty, and faithfulness. |
| Wedding music | The Wedding March by Richard Wagner, commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride," is often used as the processional song. Other popular choices include Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D and Bob Marley's One Love. |
| Wedding venues | Weddings traditionally took place in religious buildings such as churches, but can now be held in a variety of venues, including outdoors. |
| Wedding planning | The role of the wedding planner emerged after World War I as formal weddings became more popular and couples needed help managing various vendors. The modern wedding, with its focus on impressing friends and influenced by mass media, took shape after World War II. |
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Wedding attire
Ancient Times to the Middle Ages
In ancient Chinese folklore, one of the earliest known references to wedding attire is the story of Panhu, a dragon-dog servant who marries an emperor's daughter. The princess wears a phoenix dress and crown, symbolizing good luck and strength in her marriage. In Ancient Egypt, brides wore white linen tunics with long veils of beaded netting, while in Ancient Rome, the groom led a procession to the bride's home, where she was escorted by bridesmaids. During the Middle Ages, weddings symbolized unions between families, businesses, or nations, and brides' attire reflected their families' social status. Wealthy brides wore bold colours, furs, velvet, and silk, while those from lower social classes wore their best church dress.
17th Century to Early 19th Century
In the 17th century, it was common for brides to wear their best dress, regardless of the colour. Blue was a popular choice, as seen in a 17th-century wedding ball painting. In the early 19th century, prior to the Victorian era, black was a popular wedding dress colour in Finland, and white was the colour of mourning for French queens. However, the first documented instance of a royal bride wearing white was Philippa of England in 1406.
Mid-19th Century to Early 20th Century
Queen Victoria and the Industrial Revolution significantly influenced wedding attire in the Western world. After Queen Victoria married Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840, wearing a white gown trimmed with Honiton lace, white became the dominant colour for Western wedding dresses. This trend was further solidified by the spread of photography and illustrated magazines. However, it's important to note that non-royal women often repurposed their wedding dresses or wore their best dress for the ceremony. In the early 20th century, high necks, long sleeves, and ruffles characterised bridal fashion. The 1910s were marked by modesty, with brides covered from neck to toe.
Roaring '20s to the War Years
The 1920s brought a significant shift in bridal fashion, with women embracing sleeker drop-waist gowns, long cathedral-length veils, and adventurous hemlines. Elaborate headpieces, diamond tiaras, and floral crowns also adorned brides during this era. As the world entered the war years in the early 1940s, austerity reflected in wedding attire. Women often wore formal pieces they already owned, such as Ava Gardner's grey suit and black veil when she married Mickey Rooney.
Post-World War II to Modern Times
Following World War II, wedding fashion continued to evolve. The 1950s saw the rise of full-skirted designs reminiscent of the Victorian era. The 1960s introduced a more relaxed style, with loose fits and delicate fabrics like lace gaining popularity. In the 1970s, bell sleeves, empire waistlines, and A-line silhouettes defined the decade's bridal fashion. As society progressed towards the 21st century, wedding attire diversified to reflect individual style and expression, moving away from strict traditions. Same-sex marriages, civil partnerships, and feminism influenced bridalwear, empowering individuals to wear what makes them feel special.
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Wedding venues
Traditional Venues
Historically, wedding venues were often chosen based on a family's economic situation, with some opting for mass weddings to share costs. Common choices included dance halls, hotel ballrooms, banquet halls, community halls, social halls, churches, restaurants, and garden parties at home. Banquet halls, in particular, offered glitz and glamour at a fraction of the cost, becoming popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
Unique and Outdoor Venues
Today, many couples seek unique venues that reflect their personalities and offer a memorable experience. This includes outdoor spaces like zoos, aquariums, national parks, farms, and ranches, which provide a natural backdrop and often include special tours or activities for guests.
Historic and Transformed Spaces
Some couples opt for venues with historical significance, such as The Bell Tower in Nashville, a former church built by freed slaves, or The Turnbull, a former ice cream factory featuring exposed cedar beams and original brickwork.
Luxury and Destination Venues
For those seeking luxury, venues like the New York Public Library, European chateaux, or villas on Lake Como offer grand and glamorous backdrops. Destination venues, like the French Riviera or a Montana property with panoramic views, provide exclusive experiences for couples and their guests.
All-Inclusive Venues
Country clubs and golf courses are popular choices for all-inclusive weddings, offering scenic outdoor spaces and indoor reception areas, along with catering and other amenities. Hotels are also convenient options, providing event spaces, accommodations, and catering services, although they may offer less flexibility in terms of decor.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding venue depends on the couple's preferences, budget, and guest count, with options available to suit a variety of styles and themes.
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Wedding music
Music is an integral part of weddings, and the right choice of songs can set the tone for the entire event. Wedding music has traditionally been used to announce the arrival of participants, in the form of a wedding march. For over a century, the Bridal Chorus from Wagner's Lohengrin, often called "Here Comes The Bride", has been the most popular processional, usually played on a pipe organ.
However, some couples may view traditional wedding marches as clichéd and instead opt for more modern pieces, such as Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel. The choice of music may also depend on cultural and religious factors. For instance, in Egyptian culture, the zaffa is a musical procession of bendir drums, bagpipes, horns, belly dancers, and men carrying flaming swords. This ancient tradition predates Islam. Similarly, in traditional Burmese weddings, a song called "Aura of Immeasurable Auspiciousness" is used as the wedding processional.
The setting of the wedding also influences the music selection. Indoor venues can accommodate louder music due to better room acoustics, while outdoor weddings may require more musicians or microphones to ensure the music is audible. The size of the venue is also a consideration, as certain instruments or ensembles may overwhelm or be overwhelmed by the space.
In terms of specific songs, Felix Mendelssohn's Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream (1842) is a popular choice for the recessional, or the bride and groom's exit. For the first dance, modern artists like Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, Beyoncé, and Pharrell Williams are popular. Some couples may also opt for Disney songs like "True Lives Kiss" from Enchanted to bring a fairy tale vibe to their wedding.
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Wedding traditions
The wedding ring, for example, has long been part of religious weddings in the Indian subcontinent, Europe, and America. The origin of the tradition is unclear, but it is possibly linked to the Roman belief in the Vena amoris, a blood vessel that ran from the fourth finger (ring finger) directly to the heart. In ancient Egypt, people wore rings made of papyrus around their wrists and ankles. Romans then began to substitute the material with iron, which led to the use of gold to make the first betrothal rings. The tradition of a diamond engagement ring was started by Archduke Maximilian of Austria when he proposed to Mary of Burgundy.
The wedding veil, popularized by Queen Victoria, was a long-held custom in which the 'purity' and 'innocence' of the bride could thwart evil spirits. The bridegroom's family would also not allow him to see his bride until the wedding, so the veil was used to conceal her appearance.
The wedding cake stems from Roman tradition, where wheat cakes were broken over the bride's head for fertility and stacked as high as possible for good fortune. The tradition of bridesmaids wearing matching dresses also dates back to ancient Rome, where bridesmaids wore the same dresses as each other and the bride to act as decoys against evil spirits.
The modern wedding took shape after World War II, influenced by mass communication, including newspapers, magazines, and television, which helped develop a shared vision of what a wedding should look like.
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Wedding gifts
In the American South, particularly in the 1800s, a key basket became a customary wedding gift. This small basket, often made of leather, symbolised the bride's new role as mistress of the house and was filled with keys to her new home. Superstition also played a role in wedding gifts during this time, with bells being given as presents to ward off evil and arguments in the first year of marriage.
The first wedding gift registry was introduced by Macy's (then known as Marshall Fields) in 1924, marking a significant shift in wedding gift traditions. Department stores encouraged couples to register for china patterns, silverware, crystal glasses, and kitchen tools, which were considered essential for married life at the time. This trend continued well into the 1950s, with couples often needing basic household items as they had not lived together before marriage.
Today, wedding gift-giving has evolved yet again. With many couples already living together before marriage, traditional registry items like kitchen appliances, linens, and flatware are less popular. Instead, modern couples often opt for experiences, such as skydiving trips, surfing excursions, or honeymoon funds. Others prefer charitable donations or simply request cash gifts to use at their discretion.
While some guests still prefer the simplicity of a registry, others choose to go off-registry and select more personalised gifts that reflect their intimate knowledge of the couple. Ultimately, wedding gifts, whether traditional or modern, are a way for guests to express their congratulations and support for the newlywed couple.
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Frequently asked questions
The tradition of bridesmaids and groomsmen dates back to the Elizabethan era between 1558 and 1603, when marriages were mostly still arranged.
The tradition of wearing white on your wedding day was started by Queen Victoria in 1840. At the time, the colour white symbolised extravagance and virginal purity.
Tossing rice at weddings is meant to symbolise rain, which is said to be a sign of prosperity, fertility and good fortune.
