Weddings are a great way to pay tribute to the traditions of the past and present in a meaningful way. Wonderful traditions can be incorporated into your special day to add that special touch for both you and your guests to enjoy. From the bride walking down the aisle to the wedding cake and the first dance, these are only some of the wedding traditions that are popular. Getting married and traditions are different in every country but every country has its own unique wedding style some including smashing kitchenware, dove releasing and even throwing money. Here are some of my favourite wedding traditions to consider if you are planning on tying the knot.
Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue
This famous phrase dates back to the 19th century and was believed to mean a successful marriage from the start and to offer the bride some helpful advice. Wearing something old, meant showing honour to your family, something new meant looking forward to the future and married life, something borrowed means good luck from someone who is happily married, and something blue means your loyalty and faithfulness to your future husband.
Garden Statue
The child of Prague statue has been used in Irish traditional weddings for many centuries. The statue is placed outside the night before a wedding to make the rain stay away. While this isn’t guaranteed to stop the rain but people still believe by putting it outside there may be a chance it will work. Let’s face it no one wants a rainy day for their wedding day.
Wedding Rings
The exchanging of wedding rings dates back thousands of years and has evolved as one of the known traditions on wedding days. It is believed that the tradition comes from the ancient Romans and Greeks. The ring is placed on the fourth finger directing to the heart as a sign of keeping your spouse close to your heart.
Wedding Cake
Serving a cake at your wedding day dates to medieval times however, at most weddings now, the cakes have got a lot bigger, are fancier with toppers, tiers, and layers. The wedding cake now is one of the favourite parts for most couples. There is a lot of love showing while watching the happy couple cut into the cake. In the past, it was a tradition to freeze the top tier of the cake for a year after a couple gets married.
Throwing the Bouquet
The very first flower bouquet was made from aromatic bunches of grains, garlic, and herbs. It was believed that these ingredients had some power of driving away evil spirits. Over time, this bouquet was replaced with flowers that can carry a special meaning across the globe. In tradition, the bride must throw her bouquet over her shoulders into a crowd of people at a distance in a way of sharing her married vibes and maybe also to see who is next to get married.
Carrying the bride over the threshold
It is a tradition for the groom to carry his new bride over the threshold to their room after the wedding. The reason behind this is believed that a bride could attract evil spirits through the soles of her feet so in this way, you are avoiding these spirits while also taking care of your new wife.
Fashionably Late
It is a tradition for the bride to arrive fashionably late to her wedding, even by a minute or two for good luck. The groom will already be there to lead his new bride into the future together.
The Garter Toss
It is a tradition for the bride to wear her garter, generally on her leg. She must then toss the garter into a crowd of men. The garter toss symbolises that the groom and bride have made things official.
The Claddagh Ring
The Claddagh Ring dates back as far as the 17th century. The ring was designed in a small fishing village called Claddagh which is in County Galway. The hands, heart, and crown represent love, friendship, and marriage. If you are single, then the heart will face outwards from the body and should be worn on the right hand and if you are married, the heart will point inwards and is worn on the third finger of the left hand.
