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Wedding Traditions

BRIDE’S BOUQUET

In history, a bride carried her bouquet for protective reasons.  Carrying strong spelling spices or garlic could help to drive away evil spirits which might plague the wedding.  Eventually the floral bouquet became prevalent and symbolized fertility and the hope for a large family.  Each flower was assigned a particular meaning when carried in a bride’s bouquet.

 

BRIDE’S VEIL

The veil has historically symbolized virginity and innocence.  It is believe that in ancient times, a bride was veiled to protect her from evil spirits or to shield her from her husband’s eyes – arranged marriages were common and often they were not to officially meet until after the wedding.

 

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE

Something old is carried to represent the history of the bride and ties her to her family.  Something new represents the futures and the bride’s ties to her new family.  Something borrowed should come from someone who is happily married and is carried in the hopes that their good fortune may rub off on you.  Blue is the color of purity and is carried to represent faithfulness in the marriage.  Many people don’t realize that there is one more item – a sixpence in your shoes – which represents wealth.

 

WHITE AISLE RUNNER

 Using a white aisle runner symbolized bringing God into your union and is infinitive of walking on holy ground.

 

SPECIAL SEATING FOR THE FAMILIES

The families are traditionally seated on opposite sides of the church, because in ancient time families would often have a wedding in order to bring peace to warring clans.  In order to prevent fighting from taking place during the wedding, they were kept separated.

 

THE GROOM ENTERING FIRST

Traditionally, the groom enters first and gives his vows first, because he is considered to be the one who has initiated the wedding. 

 

THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE WALKING DOWN THE AISLE

In historic time, brides were literally given away by their fathers – women were betrothed, often at birth, to men they did not know, and their parents were to “give them away.” Now, giving the bride away is simply a way for the bride’s family to publicly show their support of the union.

 

THE BRIDE STANDING ON THE LEFT

Because times were so violent and unpredictable, in ancient’s times, a bride was likely to be kidnapped and held for ransom at her wedding!  The bride was placed on the groom’s left in order to leave his sword-hand free in case he had to defend her.

 

THE SYMBOLISM OF THE WEDDING RINGS

The circle of the wedding ring represents eternal love and devotion.  The Greeks believed that the fourth finger on the left hand has a vein which leads directly to the heart, so this is the finger onto which we place these bands.  This is my personal favorite!

 

KISSING THE BRIDE

During the Roman Empire, the kiss between a couple symbolized a legal bond – hence the expression “sealed with a kiss.”  Continued use of the kiss to seal the marriage bond is based on the deeply rooted idea of the kiss as a vehicle for transference of power and souls.

 

THE COUPLE BEING PRONOUNCED “HUSBAND AND WIFE”

This establishes their change of names and a definite point in time for the beginning of the marriage.  These words are to remove any doubt in the minds of the couple or the witnesses concerning the validity of the marriage.

 

SIGNING THE GUEST BOOK

Your wedding guests are official witnesses to the covenant.  By signing the guest book, they are saying, “I have witnessed the vows, and I will testify to the reality of this marriage.”  Because of this significance, the guest book should be signed after the wedding, rather than before it, but traditions have evolved to fit convenience.

 

THE PURPOSE OF THE RECEIVING LINE

The receiving line is for guests to give their blessings to the couple and their parents.

 

THE BRIDE AND GROOM FEEDING EACH OTHER WEDDING CAKE

This represents the sharing of their body to become one.  A New Testament illustration of this symbolism is the Lord’s Supper.