Medieval Wedding Traditions: A Guide

Medieval weddings were quite different from modern weddings. Most couples didn't marry for love but for necessity or business, and marriages were typically arranged. The bride's family would give a dowry to the groom after the ceremony, which he could keep even if they separated. The wedding ceremony would take place outside the church doors, with the bride standing on the left, due to the belief that Eve was created from Adam's left rib. The couple would then enter the church for a nuptial mass. After the ceremony, there would be a feast, and guests would bring small cakes to stack, with the couple trying to kiss over the top of them.

Wedding attire

Medieval wedding attire varied depending on the time period, region, and social status of the couple. However, there are some common elements that are often seen in medieval wedding attire.

For brides, the wedding dress was typically long and flowy, made of rich fabrics such as velvet, satin, or silk. The colour was often dark blue, which was considered the colour of purity, but shades of red or gold were also popular among wealthier brides. The dress usually featured long fitted sleeves, a high neckline, and a corseted bodice. Intricate embroidery, beading, or lace embellishments were also common, and the dress might be decorated with precious stones. A long piece of fabric that trailed behind the dress, known as a "train", completed the look. Underneath the dress, a medieval bride would wear a chemise and breast band, along with knee-length stockings. A beautiful cloak with a long train was often worn over the entire outfit. The most elaborate medieval bridal robes featured long hanging sleeves and jeweled metalwork belts.

Medieval bridal jewellery was typically limited to jeweled brooches and belts, as the heavy fabrics and modest styles left little room for other accessories. However, brides made up for this with elaborate headdresses. The cone-shaped "hennin" with a "wimple" is a staple of medieval bridal costume, but alternatives such as a silk toque or a calotte with a gold circlet were also worn. Brides of royal blood might wear a jeweled crown with a wimple.

Grooms also wore a garment called a "cotehardie", which over time evolved into the shorter "doublet", resembling a contemporary tuxedo vest or jacket. Underneath, a man wore loose-fitting linen breeches held up by a jeweled belt, along with a linen tunic. Leather-soled hose eliminated the need for shoes, and a woolen robe, tunic, or kirtle was worn over the whole outfit. The robe might fall to the calves, knees, or somewhere in between. Men of all classes wore metalwork belts, sometimes jeweled, which served to hold a pouch and a long dagger. Headdresses for grooms might include a moire hat with a wide white brim, a velvet biretta with a white linen coif, or a felt hat with a pleated band and white linen coif.

Wedding processions

Medieval wedding processions were a grand affair, especially for those of royal or noble birth. The procession would begin at the bride's home and end at the church doors, where the ceremony would take place. For royalty, the procession was particularly elaborate and extravagant, setting the standard for all wedding processions.

The procession would be led by minstrels, playing a variety of instruments, including bagpipes, flutes, drums, trumpets, and the six-stringed viol. For lower-caste couples, family members or friends might take on this role, providing music and singing. The minstrels were followed by the bride and groom, walking side by side, with the bride on the groom's left side, due to the belief that Eve was created from Adam's left rib. The best man rode on horseback directly behind the couple, tasked with protecting them from potential kidnappers or other dangers. The bride's parents followed the best man, walking behind the groom's parents.

Upon reaching the church, the musicians would cease playing, and the attendees would line up quietly outside the church doors. The priest, holding the wedding ring, would stand in front of the closed doors, under the portico, and begin the ceremony by asking a series of important questions to the couple and the attendees.

The wedding procession was an integral part of the medieval wedding ceremony, often involving the entire community and setting the tone for the grand celebration to come.

Wedding vows

Medieval wedding vows, or "plighting one's troth", were recited by the groom, with the bride remaining silent throughout the proceedings. The groom would promise "to have and to hold" his bride in bed and at the table, whether she be fair or ugly, "for better or worse, in sickness and in health, to death [us] depart".

The vows were exchanged outside the church doors, following a procession from the bride's home. The groom would then offer the bride a coin purse with 13 coins, which she would later disburse to the poor, demonstrating her authority to make financial decisions in her husband's name.

The vows were followed by a short homily on the sacred act of marriage, then the blessing of the wedding ring, which was placed on the bride's finger by the groom. The ring was placed on the fourth finger of the left hand, as it was believed that a vein ran straight from a woman's heart to her left fourth finger, ensuring that love and unity would remain throughout the marriage.

The bride and groom would then enter the church for a nuptial mass, kneeling before the priest at the altar with a canopy held over their heads. The priest would then bestow a kiss of peace upon the groom, who would in turn pass the kiss to his bride.

Wedding rings

Medieval wedding rings often featured overt Christian iconography, with depictions of Christ alongside the married couple. The emergence of courtly love ideals influenced ring designs, with French poetry and romantic messages engraved on the rings. These were known as posy rings. Precious gemstones also became popular during this period, with different stones carrying specific meanings. For example, sapphires represented marital chastity. Decorations of hearts, flowers, and other symbols of love were also common.

Medieval wedding rings were not limited to plain gold bands. They could be quite ornate, featuring intricate engravings, gemstones, and decorative patterns. The choice of materials and designs likely varied depending on the social class of the couple. While noble brides might have had access to more expensive materials like gold, silver, and precious stones, lower-class brides may have opted for less costly options.

In addition to the exchange of rings, there were other unique aspects to medieval weddings. For example, the bride traditionally stood on the left side of the groom during the ceremony due to the belief that Eve was created from Adam's left rib. The couple would also participate in a ritual where they tried to kiss over a stack of buns, believed to bring prosperity if successful.

Wedding celebrations

The wedding ceremony was followed by a grand feast, with the couple drinking wine and listening to love songs and poems performed by minstrels. The guests would bring small cakes and stack them, with the couple attempting to kiss over the stack without knocking it over. This was thought to bring prosperity and is the origin of the tiered wedding cake.

The wedding feast was often a lavish affair, with an abundance of food and drink. A wealthy Italian businessman's wedding feast included 406 loaves of bread, 250 eggs, 100 pounds of cheese, meat, and an array of wines. The bride and groom would also receive gifts, such as a marriage brooch, and the groom would traditionally give his bride a gift after the marriage was consummated to compensate for her loss of virginity.

For the elite, the celebrations were held in a manor or castle, with entertainment and an abundance of drinks. Relatives and those of the same social class were the primary guests, while beggars waited outside, hoping for leftovers. The guests would also participate in celebratory dancing.

The wedding day was a significant event, and people dressed in their finest outfits. While noblemen often commissioned new clothing, made from opulent fabrics, lower-class brides would imitate the style of noblewomen but use more inexpensive fabrics. The colour blue was popular, as it symbolised purity, and green represented young love. White was rarely worn, as it was associated with mourning.

The wedding festivities also included traditions like the garter, where guests would chase the bride at the end of the celebration to grab a piece of her clothing for good luck. It was believed that a man who presented his beloved with the bride's garter would have a faithful marriage.

Frequently asked questions