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Despite whether you have a formal, or informal wedding day, you will no doubt be surrounded in symbolism throughout the wedding. The reasons for wearing white to tossing the bouquet, even going on the honeymoon, stem from way back. Here are the reasons why:
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Wearing White The tradition of wearing white began in the 16th century when Queen Victoria chose to wear white when she married her Prince Albert, instead of traditional silver for royal brides. Before white, brides wore their best dress, and color was a matter of preference. In the Victorian era, white meant purity and virginity, but today it is the color of joy and celebration - meaning any bride can wear white, whether it's her first or fifth marriage. |
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The Veil The veil was originally worn to stave off evil spirits. It was often red for defiance against evil, or yellow for Hymen (the god of marriage). Martha Washington's daughter is said to be the first bride to wear white lace, covering her head with a long lace scarf for her ceremony. Her fiancé had previously commented on her beauty as she stood behind a lace window curtain, so she went with the look, as have millions of other brides today. |
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Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Silver Sixpence in your Shoe The Old English rhyme above is where this tradition stems from.
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The Kiss In ancient Rome, a kiss sealed a contract. So in essence, kissing at the altar is, in a way, legally binding. But also believed, and much more romantic, is that when a couple kiss, part of their soul is exchanged. |
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Flowers Early Roman brides carried a bunch of herbs, such as rosemary, to symbolize fidelity, fertility, and scare off evil spirits. The Greeks carried ivy, symbolizing endless love. But it was the Victorians who popularized the wedding rose, which represented true love. |
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Throwing the Bouquet The bride originally tossed her bouquet to a friend as she left to keep that person safe and to offer her luck -- luck in the old days meaning getting married. This came to mean that a single woman catching the bouquet would marry next. |
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The Cake Romans used to break a bun over the bride's head as wheat promised fertility. In the 17th century, a French baker decided to frost a stack of buns creating the first tiered wedding cake. |
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The Honeymoon Medieval newlyweds would spend a month alone together, enjoying mead, a fermented honey drink (honey is an ancient symbol of life, health and fertility) until the moon waned, hence the term honeymoon. |
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