Weddings and Traditions
Weddings and Tradtions
Surnames
it used to be thought unlucky for a couple to marry if their surnames began with the same letter which gives the saying - To change the name but not the letter is to to change for worse not for better.
On the Way to the Wedding
As the bride leaves home to go to the wedding it was thought that a last look in the mirror will bring her good luck. However returning to the mirror after she has begun her journey will cause bad luck.
Seeing a chimney sweep on the way to the ceremony will bring good luck as will lambs, toads, spiders, black cats and rainbows.
Arch of Swords
Walking under an arch of swords ensures a safe passage in married life.
Bells
The ringing of bells after a ceremony was intended to frighten away evil spirits which may destroy the happiness of the married couple.
Giving the Bride Away
Fathers giving away their daughters comes from the days of arranged marriages. A fathers right was to give his child to the groom, usually for a price. Today a father gives his daughter away as a symbol of his blessing of the union.
Bride on the Left
Grooms in early anglo-saxon England would often have to defend their brides during the ceremony, so the bride would stand to his left leaving his sword arm free. This carries on to today with the bride's family on the left and the groom's on the left.
Horseshoes
The horseshoe has long been regarded as a symbol of good luck, In Roman times it was beleived that the "U" shape protected against evil. A horseshoe should never be turned upside down lest the good luck fall out. The luckiest horseshoe is said to come form the near hind foot of a grey mare.
The Kiss
The tradition of ending a wedding ceremony with a kiss originates in roman times when a kiss was a legal bond which sealed contracts and thus the betrothal of man and woman. Christianity introduced the betrothal ceremony into the marriage ritual. by occurring at the end of the ceremony the kiss also announces a new life status.
Leap Year Proposals
The right of a woman to propose on the 29th of February originated centuries ago when the leap year day was not recognised by English law. As the day had no legal status then traditions were also believed to have no status, consequently women who feared spinsterhood could take this opportunity to ask the man of their choice.
Purse
Also known as the "Dorothy Bag", "Dilly Bag" or "Dolly Bag" the wedding purse would originally contain confetti or other fertility symbols and was carried by the bridesmaids. In modern times the purse is used as an accessory for the bride's personal effects.
Veil
The bridal veil was originally associated with youth and virginity, enabling the bride to remain modest.
Wedding Dress
The white wedding dress was made popular by Anne of Brittany in 1499. Prior to that time and until the 1900's, a woman would simply wear the best dress in her wardrobe. The wearing of white has been a symbol of celebration since Roman times. In 19th century victorian times white was considered a sign of affluence as it was assumed that a woman would only be able to wear white once (twice at the most) before the dress became soiled. At the beginning of the 20th century white again became a symbol of purity though today it is more regarded to represent celebration and joy.