Wedding Traditions ~ What do they mean?

1. The Veil – Veils were meant to symbolize the virgin bride’s innocence and modesty. Today it is purely a romantic custom.

2. Throwing Rice – Rice was thrown at a couple in the hope that this would bring a marriage with many children. This tradition of throwing rice began in the Orient. Rice symbolizes fertility.

3. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. – The old stands for a brides ties to her past. The new represents her hope for the future. The borrowed means friendship. The blue is for faithfulness.

4. The ring finger – Centuries ago the ring finger was believed to be connected by a vein directly to the heart.

5. The Wedding Cake – The wedding cake symbolizes hope for a fertile and fulfilling life. This tradition started in Rome with a loaf of bread that was broken over the brides head.

6. Giving away the bride – This custom symbolizes the parent’s acceptance of their daughters passage from child to adult, and a sign of their blessing of the marriage.

7. Carrying the bride across the threshold – The bride used to have to be carried across the threshold to protect her from any evil spirits.

8. Speeches or Toasts – The spoken words from the person giving the toast’s is affection for the new couple and serve as a wish for the couple to enjoy a lifetime of happiness. It is a way of saying “good luck” as they embark on their new union. The Greeks and Romans would raise their goblets to their Gods hoping to gain favour with them. The Greeks would also perform toasts to avoid being poisoned. So, when the Grecians would gather for a wedding or a celebration, they would all drink from the same pitcher and spill some of their wine into the next person’s goblet. This would ensure there was no funny business going on.