Wedding Tradition: Cans Tied To Cars, Why?

The tradition of tying cans to the bumper of a newlywed couple's car is believed to have originated from the French word charivari or the early American frontier tradition of shivaree, which was used to perform a noisy mock celebration of a newly married couple. The custom is said to have been brought to America by French settlers in the 1600s, who introduced it to the Mississippi Valley region. The loud noise created by the cans is thought to have evolved from the banging of pots and pans by guests during the wedding celebration. Today, the tradition is often seen as a whimsical and personalized touch to the wedding festivities, with couples putting their own creative spin on it.

To scare away evil spirits

The tradition of tying cans to the bumper of a newlywed couple's car is believed to have originated from the French word "charivari" or the early American frontier tradition of "shivaree", which was practised into the early 1900s. Charivari refers to the French custom of making a noisy mockery of a newly married couple, often by banging pots and pans together. This tradition was brought to the Mississippi Valley region by French settlers in the 1600s and then modified by American settlers, who would demand a meal from the groom as "payment" for him taking one of the local girls as his wife.

One theory for the purpose of tying cans to the car is that it is to scare away evil spirits as the newlyweds make their getaway. The noise made by the cans is thought to act as a protective barrier, ensuring that the couple's new life together is free from any malevolent forces. This theory is supported by the fact that guests would also tie old shoes to the back of the couple's carriage, adding to the cacophony of sound.

In modern times, the tradition of tying cans to the getaway car has evolved into a more jovial act, with couples putting their own creative spin on it. While the essence of the tradition remains the same, some couples choose to incorporate additional items, such as colourful ribbons and flowers, to make it more personalised. The number of cans used typically ranges from six to eight, creating a loud clanging noise as the couple drives off into their new life together.

To announce a couple's newlywed status

The tradition of tying cans to the bumper of a couple's car after a wedding is believed to have originated from the French word "charivari" or the early American frontier tradition of "shivaree", which was practised into the early 1900s. It is thought that the custom was brought over to America by French settlers in the 1600s, who introduced it to the Mississippi Valley region. Charivari is a French word for uproar, and the tradition was used to express disapproval of a union, with locals making a lot of noise outside the couple's home on their wedding night. Over time, the tradition evolved into a more jovial act, with the noisy send-offs becoming a way to celebrate the couple's new identity as a married couple.

The sound of the cans clanging together as the car drives away is meant to announce the couple's newlywed status to the whole community and draw attention to them. It is a way of publicly celebrating the couple's marriage and wishing them a "happily ever after" ending. The tradition is often accompanied by other decorations on the car, such as writing 'Just Married' on the back window, or including personal items that are meaningful to the couple.

In modern times, the tradition of tying cans to the wedding car has become less common due to safety concerns and the changing design of car bumpers. However, couples still find creative ways to incorporate the tradition, such as using washable markers or paint on the car windows, or including other noisemakers along with the cans. The number of cans used typically ranges from six to eight, creating a joyful clanging noise without being too loud.

The practice of decorating the couple's car is often done by family members, friends, or the bridal party, adding a whimsical and personalised touch to the wedding celebration. It is a fun way to involve the community in the couple's joy and to extend the festivities beyond the wedding venue.

To celebrate a new marriage

Tying cans to the back of a couple's car is a wedding tradition that has evolved over time. While it was once used to show disapproval of a union, it now symbolises a happy beginning for newlyweds. The tradition adds a whimsical, personalised touch to the celebration, allowing guests to serenade the couple with a noisy send-off.

The custom is believed to have originated from the French tradition of "charivari" or "shivaree", which was brought to the United States by French settlers in the early 1600s. Charivari was a form of rough initiation, often directed at women who were strangers to the community. It involved demanding that the newlyweds make a meal on their first night of marriage, as "payment" for the groom taking one of the local girls as his wife. Over time, this tradition evolved into a more jovial act, with pots and pans being swapped for tin cans, and shouting turning into cheering.

The noise made by the cans is said to scare away evil spirits as the newlyweds make their getaway. The tradition also serves as a public announcement of the wedding, drawing attention to the couple as they drive off into their new life together. It is a way to celebrate the couple's new identity as a married couple and to wish them luck on their journey.

In modern times, the tradition has been adapted to fit the changing nature of weddings and celebrations. Couples may add their own personal touches, such as incorporating colourful ribbons and flowers, or including items that are meaningful to them. The number of cans used is typically between six and eight, creating a joyful noise without being overly loud. The tying of cans to the car is usually done by family members, friends, or members of the bridal party, adding to the festive atmosphere of the occasion.

To symbolise joy

Tying cans to the back of a couple's car is a wedding tradition that has evolved over the years. While it once symbolised disapproval of a union, it now symbolises a happy beginning for newlyweds.

The tradition is believed to have originated from the French word "charivari", which means "rough music" or "uproar". In the past, single men would protest a wedding they disagreed with by banging pots and pans together and shouting outside the couple's home. This was often directed at a widower who remarried a young woman from the community or a man who wanted to marry a woman who was not part of the community. The noisy custom was a way to express their disapproval of the union and to scare away evil spirits.

Over time, the tradition evolved into a more jovial act, with the function of marriage changing and the ritualised practical jokes becoming less drastic. The French tradition of "charivari" was modified by early American frontier settlers into a custom called "shivaree", which was practised into the early 1900s. Instead of banging pots and pans, wedding guests would make noise by tying tin cans to the back of the couple's carriage or car. This created a clamorous send-off that symbolised the joy of the newlyweds' relationship and added a whimsical, personalised touch to the celebration.

The tradition of tying cans to wedding cars is not as common as it used to be, but some couples still choose to incorporate it into their weddings as a way to announce their marriage to the community and add a festive touch to their getaway car. The noise made by the cans is meant to be celebratory and to invite others to join in the joy of the couple's special day.

To ward off bad luck

The tradition of tying cans to the bumper of a newlywed couple's car is believed to have evolved from the French custom of "charivari" or "shivaree", which was used to censure a marriage. The noisy send-off, created by banging pots and pans together, was a way to express disapproval of the union, often directed at brides who were not part of the community. Over time, this tradition evolved into a more jovial act, with the cans serving as a way to ward off bad luck and celebrate the newlyweds.

The loud clanging of the tin cans is thought to scare away evil spirits as the couple makes their getaway, bringing good luck and protection to the marriage. The noise also serves as a public announcement of the wedding, drawing attention to the couple as they drive off into their new life together. The tradition is often carried out by the groom's male friends, as a way to assuage them for missing out on their chances with the bride.

While the exact origins of this custom may be difficult to pinpoint, it is believed that French settlers brought the tradition to Canada and the United States in the early 1600s. It has since evolved into a whimsical and personalised touch for modern weddings, with couples putting their own creative spin on the send-off. The number of cans used typically ranges from six to eight, creating a joyful clamour without being overly loud.

In addition to the cans, decorations such as ribbons, flowers, and a ""Just Married" sign are often added to the getaway car. These days, it is also common to see other items tied in with the cans, such as objects related to the couple's profession or hobbies, making the send-off even more personalised and festive.

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