Junior Rasmussen
Wedding traditions have been around for thousands of years, with roots in religion, culture, and history. Many of these traditions have evolved into the practices we are familiar with today, with couples adding their own customs to the mix. Traditions like the father giving away the bride, the bride wearing a veil, and the exchange of rings have interesting origins. For example, the veil was once used to hide the bride's face until the groom had committed to the marriage, while the wedding ring was once a symbol of ownership. Other traditions like the white wedding dress, the first dance, and the throwing of the bouquet have also evolved over time, with couples putting their own spin on them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wearing something old | Represents the couple's past |
| Wearing something new | Symbolises a happy future for the couple |
| Wearing something borrowed | Borrows "good luck" from someone in a successful marriage |
| Wearing something blue | Stands for faithfulness, loyalty and purity |
| Ring bearer | Symbolises the promises of dreams coming true |
| Wedding bells | To ward off evil spirits and ensure a happy family life |
| Throwing the garter | To distract guests |
| Wedding veils | To hide the bride's beauty and ward off evil spirits and jealousy |
| Wedding veils | To retain the bride's purity |
| White wedding dress | Symbolises purity |
| White wedding dress | Symbol of wealth |
| Bouquet | To ward off evil spirits and prevent plague |
| Bridesmaids | To confuse and distract evil spirits |
| Best man | To help retrieve a run-away bride or fend off the bride's family |
| Honeymoon | Drinking mead and honey wine to bring good luck |
| Wedding cake | To symbolise the couple sharing everything |
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What You'll Learn
The white wedding dress
The choice of white was often associated with purity, innocence, and virginal purity in Western culture. Etiquette books of the time reinforced this notion, claiming that white was emblematic of "the freshness and purity of girlhood." However, it is important to note that white was not the only colour considered for wedding dresses, and for many centuries, brides in Western societies wore dresses of various colours, often choosing the best dress they already owned or a new gown that could be worn again.
The white dress also provided an opportunity for conspicuous consumption, allowing brides from wealthy families to display their social status by choosing an elaborate dress that would be ruined by any sort of work or spill. This trend was further boosted by the highly publicised wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981, which was watched by 750 million people and featured Diana in a grand white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train.
While the white wedding dress has become a popular tradition, it is not a requirement, and brides today have more flexibility in choosing the colour and style of their wedding attire.
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The veil
In most parts of Europe, brides wear veils made of sheer tulle in various lengths and designs. Traditionally, these veils would include a layer covering the bride's face to symbolize purity and modesty. In Catholic weddings, the veil is meant to add to the bride's modesty, and it also symbolizes purity and humility.
In ancient Rome, people believed that evil spirits would try to harm the bride and damage her purity, so the veil was used as protection to confuse the spirits. Veils were also used in ancient Rome and Greece to prevent the groom from cancelling the wedding if he didn't find the bride attractive; the bride's face was only uncovered after the ceremony.
In modern times, veils are widely accepted as a bridal accessory, adding a perfect finishing touch to the bridal look. Longer veils create a dramatic entrance and an elegant look, while shorter veils are fresh and fun. Many contemporary brides choose not to cover their faces with the blusher (the shorter piece of the veil) but may still wear a veil for a more traditional look.
In different cultures, the veil has diverse meanings. In Islamic and Hindu weddings, veiling can represent modesty and reverence. In Jewish weddings, the veil can symbolize humility and the groom's commitment beyond physical beauty. In Chinese weddings, the traditional red veil symbolizes happiness and good luck.
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The father giving the bride away
The tradition of the father "giving away" the bride has its roots in the idea that women were once considered the property of their fathers, to be transferred to the ownership of their husbands upon marriage. In the past, the groom may have paid a "brideprice" or "bridewealth" to the bride's father to compensate for the loss of her work within the family and gain his approval for the marriage. This tradition has evolved over time and is still practised in modern weddings, though it is now seen as a symbolic rite of passage and a declaration of the parents' approval of the union.
While some view this tradition as archaic and offensive, others argue that it is simply a way to include a loved one in the ceremony and publicly declare support for the couple's union. In modern times, the person "giving away" the bride is not limited to the father, and can include the mother, a friend, a sibling, or even the bride herself walking down the aisle alone. The language used in the ceremony has also evolved to be more inclusive and progressive, such as using the phrase "Who supports this woman in her marriage?" instead of "Who gives this woman away?".
The tradition of the father walking the bride down the aisle and "giving her away" is often seen as a way to honour the father-daughter relationship and publicly acknowledge the support and blessing of the bride's family. It is also a way to include a significant figure in the wedding ceremony, adding emotional value to the event.
While the traditional practice of the father "giving away" the bride has been questioned and criticised for its sexist and archaic connotations, it is still a common tradition in modern weddings. The evolution of this tradition reflects the changing societal views on women's independence and agency, with many couples choosing to adapt the ceremony to fit their personal beliefs and values.
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The wedding cake
Today, the wedding cake is often used to incorporate cultural heritage and personal touches. Couples may choose unique colours, styles, and flavours that are meaningful to them. Some couples opt for alternative desserts or cupcakes instead of a traditional multi-tiered cake. Cake toppers, which first appeared in the 1950s, can be customised to match the couple's style.
Some couples choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake, freezing it and eating it together on their first anniversary or at the christening of their first child. This tradition dates back to the 19th century when fruitcakes were commonly served at weddings, making preservation easier.
The cake-cutting ceremony is a significant part of modern weddings, and it symbolises the couple's commitment to providing for and caring for each other. It is also an opportunity for guests to learn about the history and symbolism of wedding cake traditions.
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The wedding ring
In the medieval period, the groom would often pay for the bride's hand in marriage using precious stones as part of the payment to symbolise his intent. In the 1300s or 1400s, the first recorded diamond wedding ring was discovered in Rome, although diamonds were valued for their hardness rather than brilliance at this time. In the 1475 wedding of two Italian socialites, a poem described how "two wills, two hearts, two passions are bonded in one marriage by a diamond".
Diamond engagement rings became increasingly popular in the Victorian era due to Queen Victoria's love for diamond jewellery. In the 20th century, diamond engagement rings became a symbol of luxury and romance, in part due to a De Beers marketing campaign. The company promoted the idea that a man should spend two months' worth of salary on an engagement ring, although in Japan, three months' salary was advertised.
Today, wedding rings are imbued with symbolism unique to each wearer. They are a reminder of the love and commitment between two people and are usually made from precious metals to symbolise strength and the notion of unbreakable love. In some cultures, wedding rings are worn on the right hand as this is the hand typically used for making sacred oaths and vows.
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Frequently asked questions
In Ancient Greece, brides wore bright red veils to protect themselves from demons. The tradition continued through the times of arranged marriages, where the veil covered the bride's face until the groom had committed to the marriage, preventing him from having second thoughts. The veil was also believed to hide the bride's beauty and ward off evil spirits and jealousy that could ruin her happiness.
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress was started by Queen Victoria in 1840. White was associated with purity and was thought to be the reason for it being the traditional colour for a virgin bride. It was also closely linked to wealth as only the wealthy could afford to wear and keep it clean.
In ancient Rome, bridesmaids dressed identically to the bride to confuse evil spirits and stop them from cursing the bride. The bouquet is an extension of this, with flowers replacing the wheat cakes that Romans would break over the bride's head to symbolise fertility.
