Good Luck, Evil Spirits, and Stinky Bouquets
Weddings have always been rich with traditions, dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times. Many were designed around the concept of love and unity, but a lot of them were originally designed to actually ward off evil spirits.
Over time, these practices have also transformed into symbols of love and unity, but let's dive into some quirky origins and where they are now:
The White Dress
Then
The dress a bride would wear on her wedding day used to be the best dress she owned, up until Queen Victoria chose to wear a specially made white dress for her marriage in 1840. This is the time that the white dress became associated with purity and virginity, asserting Queen Victoria as an innocent and adoring bride.
From this moment on, in true tradition a bride cannot wear white unless she is a virgin.
Now
Nowadays the white dress has become a gorgeous tradition, carried through the generations, and constantly evolving with different styles and materials, with splashes of colour making the occasional appearance.
The Garter Toss
Then
A union couldn't be considered "official" until it had been consummated, and in a lot of important and strategic marriages, witnesses and religious officials needed proof. This could mean observing the act (🥴) or the groom would remove the garter and present it as evidence.
Now
It has become more of a fun event where the groom removes the garter from the bride's leg (using hands and/or teeth) and tosses it into the crowd. A lot of couples are choosing to keep this potentially ultra-cringeworthy practice out of their special day, or choose to do it in private.
The Wedding Rings
Then
Ancient Greeks would weave plants and herbs into small circles to wear on their fingers, meant to represent eternity - an object with no start or end. More valuable rings would also later serve as a dowry, made of precious metals and gems, as a payment that the groom or groom's family would present to the family of the bride in exchange for her ownership.
Now
Now wedding rings symbolize endless love and unity, with each spouse wearing a ring on their left hand as an indication of their dedication. Some couples are choosing alternatives like tattoos or silicone rings to move away from expensive metals that don’t work for every lifestyle.
The Guestbook
Then
Victorian-era guestbooks flaunted social status, essentially acting as a list of important people you know. It also confirmed the marriage, as a list of “witnesses” to the official religious and legal union.
Now
Today there are SO MANY creative variations to the guestbook, designed to be a heartfelt keepsake instead of an official transcript. From the traditional written guestbook, some containing prompts for messages or stories, photographs (polaroids and photobooths), and a Hollydays favourite - the video guestbook.
Throwing Rice
Then
Rice, in many cultures, was (and is) a symbol of fertility and prosperity, thrown over the heads of the couple as a fun send-off and for wishes of a child-filled marriage.
Now
Today, eco-friendly alternatives like seed paper confetti make for beautiful action shots and a green thumbprint, or using bubbles or sparklers is a nice airy option if the venue doesn’t allow confetti.
The Bridesmaids...
... The Groomsmen
Then
Bridesmaids were specially selected and dressed in the same colour as the bride to confuse evil spirits and protect her from being taken away.
In the mean time, groomsmen were originally there basically to prevent the bride from running away, and kidnapping her if they needed to.
Now
The wedding party is there to support the couple fashionably and emotionally.
The Veil
Then
The veil is a thin piece of delicate fabric meant to hide the bride from the groom. If the couple is marrying sight-unseen (ie arranged or strategic marriages), the veil would make sure the groom couldn't see her until the marriage was confirmed. The drapery is also designed to hide the bride from evil spirits, protecting her from being taken.
Now
The veil is still seen as a symbol of purity and modesty, but more than anything it’s a gorgeous accessory of various styles and lengths that tie together the wedding ensemble (and make for some of the most GORGEOUS shots).
Something Old, Something New,
Something Borrowed & Something Blue
This rhyme humbly originated as a line in a newspaper, of all things, and since then has been assigned deeper meaning.
Something Old = Continuity
Something New = Hope for the Future
Something Borrowed = Borrowing Happiness and Prosperity from Someone in a Happy Marriage
Something Blue = Fidelity
Bonus Fact: An unknown fifth line “And a sixpence in her shoe” was later added to the rhyme, but it didn’t gain as much attention as the rest.
The Toast
Then
Traditionally speeches would begin with someone tapping their drinking glass to create a subtle “clinking” noise. Not only meant to grab peoples’ attention, Ancient Greeks believed that clinking glasses would also scare off evil spirits and protected the couple.
Now
Today, roasts toasts are heartfelt or humorous highlights of the reception, usually presented by the Maid of Honour, Best Man, the couple's parents, and/or the couple.
Carrying the Bride
Then
Seemingly a gentlemanly act, grooms were expected to carry the bride over the threshold of their new home on the evening of their wedding. But the origin of this practice is believed by the Ancient Romans to prevent evil spirits from entering through the bride's feet.
Now
Carrying her was meant to protect her, now it's a sweet, if tricky, tradition. *We highly recommend training ahead of time to avoid injury at such a crucial point of the day.
The Bouquet
Then
Originally the bride’s bouquet was made of herbs and spices instead of flowers; the smellier it was, the better to ward off evil spirits.
Now
Flowers were gradually added to add colour (and mask some of the smell), and now bouquets feature a range of beautiful floral arrangements, central to the wedding decor and theme.
These traditions have certainly come a long way from their spooky origins, transforming into the beautiful, meaningful rituals we cherish today. So, as you plan your wedding, embrace these customs knowing they’ve shed their evil-fighting pasts for a much more loving and joyful present.
You don’t always have to follow traditions, but should ALWAYS make sure to let your photographer and videographer know if you have traditions that you want to be captured on your special day.
And don’t forget to do what YOU want to do, and make your wedding your own 💜
