Wedding Traditions and Superstitions
Have you ever wondered what is behind the wedding traditions that still exist today or perhaps the superstition behind a certain part of the day? WedUK has created the following information regarding wedding traditions and wedding superstitions including where they came from.
Choose from the list below the wedding tradition or superstition you wish to find the origins of and if there is something we do not have listed simply email us on info@weduk.co.uk.
Wedding Traditions
The Ring | Choosing The Day | The Wedding Dress | The Veil | Flowers | Something Old... | The Wedding Cake | Confetti | Bouquet | The Best Man | Bridesmaids |The Honeymoon
Why Do You Wear A Wedding Ring?
A wedding ring is circular and is continuous in shape, symbolising the never ending love of a couple. The origin of wedding rings is thought to go back to ancient Egypt, with the tradition then taken up by the Greeks when they conquered North Africa in around 332 B.C
The wedding ring is worn on the third finger on the left hand as the Greeks believed that this finger was connected back to the heart via the vena amoris, latin for the vein of love. Originally only worn the bride, nowadays it is customary for both the bride and groom to wear a wedding ring upon their marriage.
Early rings were fashioned from hemp, leather, bone or ivory whereas nowadays precious metals are used for longevity, often decorated with precious stones.
Wedding Day Choice Tradition
The most popular choice of day for weddings in the UK is currently Saturday, however throughout history this has not been the case. The following saying explains that the early part of the week was the favoured days to get married;
Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday for no luck at all
Also it was believed that some months were more lucky than others, and the following saying was used;
Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man.
Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.
Nowadays venues price their tariffs on the popularity and time of season more than the luck it may bring. Fridays are becoming a popular wedding day choice due to the reductions it brings in price.
Tradition Of The Wedding Dress
The wedding dress has always been a symbol of purity, and was in history a sign of a maiden's worthiness. Marriage was considered a union between two families and it was essential that the bride be an honour to both. Purity was valued above all else and so great care was taken to ensure that the bride be presented as un spoilt. Throughout the ages many colours and materials were used depending on who was getting married and how much they could afford.
The mainstream use of a white wedding gown dates back to the time of Queen Victoria. When Victoria married it was huge news for the western world and her dress style and colour set a new standard. Nowadays wedding dresses come in all colours and styles but traditional dress styles are still a popular choice.
Why Do You Wear A Veil?
A veil is a piece of clothing that is designed to cover the head or face. There are many theories as to why a bride wears a veil for the wedding ceremony, most of which have religious underpinnings in both Christianity and Judaism. When thinking of the traditional image of a white wedding veil is that acts as a symbol of a brides purity and virginity. During the ceremony or shortly after the brides veil would be lifted to present the Bride to her Groom. In Roman times however a veil would be flame coloured and was thought to protect the bride from any evil spirits on her wedding day.
