Some interesting wedding traditions......

OLD, NEW, BORROWED, BLUE and A SILVER SIXPENSE IN YOUR SHOE

This custom comes from an old Victorian rhyme and each word has special significance. Something "old" signifies the bride's past life and the link to the bride's family. Something "new" represents her new life, good fortune and happiness. Something "borrowed", usually from another happily married friend, signifies happiness in the marriage and something "blue" signifies purity and fidelity. The often omitted "and a silver sixpence in your shoe" signifies wealth - a wealth of happiness and material wealth.

WEDDING RING FINGER - THIRD FINGER LEFT HAND

Little is known about the origins of this tradition. Some believe it dates back to the 17th century, when a christian priest would bless the bride in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If, whilst holding her left hand, the priest started at the index finger and moved across the hand during the blessing, he would have arrived at the ring finger at the end of the blessing and placed the ring.

THE WEDDING VEIL

Tradition holds that the bride's face is covered by her wedding veil until the priest pronounces the bride and groom man and wife. A common practice today is for the father of the bride to lift the veil when he gives her away at the wedding altar. The tradition of the veil may have its origins in arranged marriages where the veil would only be lifted once the bride and groom had been pronounced man and wife - the groom at this stage being committed and not able to decline the wedding. Brides in some cultures wear opaque veils serve as an affirmation that the bride is placing her complete faith and trust in the man whom she is about to marry.

CONFETTI

The throwing of confetti is an ancient ritual whereby grain would be thrown on the bride and groom to signify fertility. Of course multi-coloured paper confetti or rose petals are more commonly used today.

LEAP YEARS

For centuries women have had a right to propose on the 29th February. This day, the leap year day, for many years was not recognised by English law and so it was that regular tradition (i.e. only the man can propose) had no standing on this day. Seems fair!!

BRIDE CARRIED OVER THE THRESHOLD

This tradition goes back to Roman times. It was believed that bad luck would follow a newly wed wife that stumbled over the threshold or entered the house for the first time with her left foot leading!! The husband would carry the wife over the threshold to avoid this possibility.

THE WHITE WEDDING MYTH

It is a common belief that a white wedding dress symbolises the bride's virginity and purity. However, until Queen Victoria decided to wear a white dress to her wedding, brides married in their best dress regardless of color. Queen Victoria made a fashion statement that has persisted into our modern times!!

THE BRIDAL CANOPY

The bridal canopy is central to weddings in many cultures. The origin of this tradition is thought to be biblical, from the verse "Let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber and the bride out of her pavilion (Joel 2:16). The canopy is symbolic of the new home the bride and groom will create together.

BREAKING OF THE GLASS

In some cultures the bride and groom traditionally break a glass at the end of the ceremony. This may date back to the Jewish Talmudic times when it is believed that a rabi, distraught at his disciples becoming too frivolous at the marriage of his son, smashed a valuable cup to bring sobriety to his guests and remind them that this celebration should be accompanied by awe in the union of two people. This may also be a reminder of a broken world and that everyone plays a role in mending it.

THE ORDER OF THE DANCE

Tradition offers the first dance at the reception to the bride and groom. This is followed by the groom dancing with his new mother-in-law and then his own mother while the bride dances with her new father-in-law and then her own father. The best man will dance with the chief bridesmaid after the first dance.