Wedding traditions are cherished rituals that add meaning and charm to one of the most important days in life. But have you ever wondered why we do them? From the moment the bride walks down the aisle to the honeymoon getaway, these practices have deep-rooted histories and fascinating stories. Let’s take a closer look at the origins of some beloved wedding traditions.
Walking Down the Aisle (Giving the Bride Away)
The tradition of the bride walking down the aisle has its origins in the 16th century when arranged marriages were the norm. During this time, women were viewed as property, often not meeting their future husbands until the wedding day. The act of “giving away” the bride symbolized the transfer of ownership from her father to her new husband, with a dowry—usually consisting of livestock, food, or money—exchanging hands.
Today, the father walking the bride down the aisle is more of a symbolic gesture, representing support for the couple and honoring the father-daughter relationship. Many brides now choose someone other than their father—such as a mother, sibling, or friend—to walk them down the aisle, adding a more personalized touch.
The First Look
The “first look” is a modern twist on an old tradition. In the past, couples often did not meet before the wedding ceremony, especially in arranged marriages. This was partly to avoid second thoughts based on appearance, but also because the bride was considered her father’s property.
Over time, this evolved into the superstition that it was bad luck for the couple to see each other before the ceremony. However, in recent years, many couples have chosen to break with tradition by having a “first look” before the ceremony, offering a private and emotional moment between them before the public celebration begins.
Cake Cutting
The tradition of cutting the wedding cake can be traced back to ancient Rome, where cakes made from wheat or barley symbolized fertility and prosperity. The groom would break the cake over the bride’s head, and guests would eat the crumbs for good luck.
By medieval times, guests brought small cakes to the wedding, and the couple would attempt to kiss over a stack of cakes without knocking it over. This evolved into the tiered wedding cakes we know today.
In the Victorian era, the wedding cake became a multi-tiered, white symbol of the bride’s virginity and her family’s wealth. Today, the cutting of the cake represents the couple’s shared commitment, often with both partners placing their hands over one another’s as they make the first cut together.
The First Dance
The first dance is a tradition rooted in the 17th-century European ballrooms. Originally, the guest of honor—often of high social standing or royalty—would lead the first dance, which served to open the ball and invite other guests to join in.
By the 19th century, this tradition evolved into the first dance at weddings, symbolizing the start of the couple’s new life together. Today, couples choose the song and style of dance that best reflects their personalities, using this moment to express their love story and emotions through movement.
Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Something Old, Something New
This iconic rhyme dates back to Victorian England and was originally intended to bring good luck to the bride on her wedding day. Each item carried symbolic meaning:
- Something Borrowed: Borrowing happiness from a happily married friend or family member.
- Something Blue: Representing fidelity and love.
- Something Old: Tying the bride to her past, symbolizing continuity and tradition.
- Something New: Symbolizing hope and optimism for the couple’s future.
In some variations, the rhyme also included “a sixpence in her shoe,” a wish for wealth and prosperity. Though this tradition began as a superstition, it remains a sweet and meaningful ritual for brides today.
The Bouquet and Garter Toss
The bouquet and garter toss have roots in medieval Europe, where guests would try to rip pieces of the bride’s dress or garter for good luck. To distract the crowd and protect her clothing, the bride and groom began tossing the bouquet and garter as a way to escape the fray.
The bouquet toss originated in England and Rome, where brides carried flowers to symbolize fertility and new beginnings. In the 14th century, it became customary for the bride to toss her bouquet at the end of the ceremony, with the belief that the woman who caught it would be the next to marry.
The garter toss, on the other hand, has its origins in the Dark Ages, when it was believed that possessing a piece of the bride’s attire would bring good fortune. Today, both the bouquet and garter toss are optional traditions, with some couples opting for creative or personalized variations.
The Honeymoon
The honeymoon tradition has multiple fascinating origins. In medieval Europe, newlyweds would drink mead—a honey-based alcohol—for a month after the wedding. Mead was believed to boost fertility and bring good fortune, and the term “honeymoon” comes from the tradition of consuming this fermented honey beverage.
In ancient Greece, newlyweds often retreated for a month to a secluded location, where they would consume honey-based foods and drinks, thought to help them bond emotionally and physically. This period was a time for the couple to retreat from their families and focus on their new life together.
In more recent times, the honeymoon has evolved into a romantic getaway, often somewhere exotic or special, as transportation and travel have become more accessible. Today, it’s seen as a time for the couple to relax, reflect on their new life together, and celebrate their marriage.
Wedding traditions, while often steeped in history and superstition, continue to evolve with the times, offering a beautiful mix of culture, symbolism, and personal meaning. Whether you choose to follow these customs or create your own, they help make your wedding day uniquely yours—one that marks the beginning of a new chapter in your love story.