Often in wedding ceremonies, traditions are repeated simply because they are just that: traditions. Rarely, however, do brides and grooms actually know why they’re doing what they’re doing.
Though some traditions may be rooted in superstition, knowing their meaning can give the happy couple a bit more understanding and appreciation of the wedding ritual.
Wedding Ceremony Staples
- The Wedding Dress. The tradition of the white wedding dress became en vogue in the late 15th century when Anne of Brittany wore it during her wedding ceremony to her third husband, King Louis XII. Before this, a bride would simply don her best dress, regardless of color. Though Anne of Brittany gets credit for paving the way for the popular usage of the white wedding dress in western culture, it was actually Queen Victoria’s 1840 wedding that made the white wedding dress take off in popularity.
- The Wedding Ring. The ancient Greeks (later the Romans) believed that the third finger of the left hand had a vein that led straight to the heart. For the ancient Egyptians, the circle of the wedding band signified eternity and unending love.
- The Wedding Cake. The wedding cake is a symbol of fertility. In ancient Roman times, a small loaf of wheat or barley bread was broken over the bride’s head to ensure that here would be many children to come. In Native American culture, the guests would each bring a small molasses cake with them which would be stacked along with the other guests’ cakes using apple butter, or another seasonal fruit preserve, in between the layers. Of course, the higher the final cake, the more popular the couple was.
- The Wedding Veil. In some Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, a veil would be worn by the bride in order to have her face hidden completely from her husband-to-be. The groom would get his first look at her face at the completion of the wedding ceremony (this was significant especially in the case of arranged marriages). Ancient Greeks and Romans believed the veil would guard the bride from evil spirits.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue
- Something Old. This stands as a tangible bridge between the bride’s past with her family and the new life she’s about to begin. Heirloom jewelry, passed down wedding gowns, and handkerchiefs are customarily used.
- Something New. Whatever the something new is, it represents the hopes of good fortune and a prosperous future for the couple in their new life together.
- Something Borrowed. The borrowing is meant to signify the necessity of family and friends to the happiness of the newly married couple. The borrowed item should come from a happily married woman since it is meant to transfer some of her own marital harmony and good fortune.
- Something Blue. Blue represents faithfulness, loyalty and purity. In biblical times, both the bride and the groom would trim the border of their wedding clothes in blue denoting humility and devotion. Today, the garter tends to be chosen as the blue item.
Wedding Traditions in Other Cultures - The Jewish Glass Stomping
One of the most recognizable Jewish wedding customs is the stamping on the glass at the end of the wedding ceremony. This tradition serves as a reminder to all present of the destruction of the Holy Temple at Jerusalem. And being that it's done during a joyous time, it also signifies life's constant mixture of happiness and sorrow. For the superstitious, the sound of the breaking glass was intended to drive away evil spirits.
Cajun, African American and Mexican Wedding Traditions
Borrowing from the Native American Houma tribe, the Cajuns also have a peculiar tradition in which older, unmarried siblings of the bride and groom perform what is referred to as the "Hog's Trough Dance". In this dance – which is for luck – the older siblings must dance in the trough until it breaks.
The jumping of the broom in African American culture is a symbolic act dating back to antebellum days. During the time of slavery, African American marriages were not recognized as legal. The jumping of the broom became a symbolic act among the slave community of the new couple's marriage.
A traditional Mexican wedding includes a binding ceremony in which the bride and groom have a white lace or pearl adorned ribbon placed over their necks symbolizing their coming together as one. This is usually done by the padrinos de lassos who are ideally a happily married couple.
Sources:
- Liebenson, Bess. “White Gowns, Plaids and Hoops: Diversity in Wedding Traditions”. New York Times; 6/28/1992, p21, 0p
- Milbank, Caroline Rennolds. “Made for Memories”. Connoisseur; May91, Vol. 221 Issue 952, p70-112, 7p
- Sevcik, Kimberly. “Weddings Around the World”. Marie Claire; Jun2002, Vol. 9 Issue 6, p72, 6p
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