Origins and Explanations of Wedding Superstitions
Have you ever wondered where some of those crazy wedding superstitions come from? Like, why is rain on your wedding day good luck, and what happens if you trip over a threshold? We’ve found out where wedding superstitions originated and why to answer all your questions!
Why can’t a groom see his bride in her wedding dress?
There are a lot of caveats with this superstition. Some people think a groom can’t see her at all before the ceremony while others believe he can’t see her in the wedding dress at all. Can he see her in the dress the day of the wedding but before she walks down the aisle? The answer is iffy, so recently, couples have thrown tradition aside and have opted instead for a First Look photoshoot, allowing for a moment of intimacy before they say “I Do.”
The origins of this superstition are as unromantic as you can get. When arranged marriages were the norm, the father-of-the-bride would forbid the couple from seeing each other. He was afraid the groom would break off the arrangement if the bride wasn’t attractive enough. Similarly, brides would wear veils down the aisle and throughout the ceremony until the first kiss to blur her features and make her appear more ethereal and angelic.
OH Snap! Photography
Why do we toss the garter and bouquet?
The answer to this question is a little unexpected and intrusive. In ancient times, it was considered good luck to have a piece of the bride’s clothing. Single guests would gather around the marriage bed trying to grab a part of her dress. This often leads to torn gowns. Brides started tossing their bouquets to distract her guests and preserve her gown. After dashing off to the wedding suite, the groom would toss out her garter to the waiting guests.
A lot of modern couples consider this tradition to be unnecessary and inappropriate. Therefore, many newlyweds have opted for one of these alternatives.
Why does the groom carry the bride over the threshold?
There are a few different stories about this, depending on who you ask. One version says that it’s bad luck for a bride to trip over the threshold as she enters her new home. Therefore, the groom carries her to prevent any mishaps. Another says that bad spirits lurk among the entrance to new homes. Apparently, brides are susceptible to those spirits through the soles of their feet.
Nowadays, grooms usually carry their wife over the threshold simply because of tradition. If you’ve already been living together before your marriage, this superstition may not be as important to you but can be a great way to increase the romance of your first night home.
Why do we wear rings on the “ring finger”?
The fourth finger was believed to be the only finger that has a vein connecting directly to the heart. But why do we wear rings on the left hand instead of the right? Years and years ago, it was believed that a diamond paired with gold worn on the left hand would drive away the devil and any evil spirits. Therefore, brides traditionally wore a gold and diamond engagement ring on the fourth finger of their left hand.
Nowadays, brides-to-be like to mix things up by choosing different stones – such as rubies or sapphires, rather than diamonds. Some choose rose gold or platinum finish instead of gold. Wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand, however, is a superstition that has stuck.
Genevieve Nisly Photography
Is rain on your wedding day really good luck?
Tradition says that rain on your wedding day symbolizes fertility and unity. Because rain brings life to plants, it is said that rain on your wedding day means that you’ll have many children. It’s also said that rain on your wedding day can strengthen your marriage and devotion to your husband or wife. Getting married is often considered “tying the knot,” and a wet knot is always harder to untie.
However, if you’re trying to avoid rain on your wedding day, follow this Southern wedding superstition: bury a bottle of bourbon upside down at your wedding site one month before the wedding, and unearth it after your ceremony to toast your wedding! [Note: don’t dig up your venue’s property without asking first!]
Where does the “Something Old, Something New” rhyme come from?
As with most wedding superstitions, no one is quite sure where or when it originated. This one can be traced back to the Victorian era. Brides would collect heirlooms or trinkets from family and friends to instill good luck on her wedding day. Something Old reminds a bride of her origins and her past. Something New represents the bride’s new life that she’s about to enter into. Something Borrowed is usually an item from a family member or friend who has been in a long, healthy relationship. It represents her good fortune rubbing off on the bride-to-be. Something Blue is said to represent fidelity and love.
One part of the rhyme that you might not be familiar with is the ending – “and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” This is usually represented by a penny to symbolize wealth and good fortune. Scottish tradition says to put it in your left shoe!
Many wedding superstitions aren’t something that brides and grooms seem to invest a lot of belief into. However, they have become a part of wedding tradition that newlyweds like to honor. While they by no means affect the way your marriage will turn out, indulging in these time-cherished traditions can add a sentimental aspect to your day.
