We’ve all heard of those wedding superstitions that couples the world over observe. The bride squirrels herself away, not to be seen by the groom until the ceremony, and she tosses the bouquet after the knots have been tied. We also help our bride and groom rustle up something borrowed, something blue and something new to help them start down the road to marital bliss. Do we know why, though? We know that you are as curious as we are, so read on to learn a little more about some of the most popular modern wedding lore.
Bad luck to see the bride
It’s commonly accepted that only the mother of the bride (and groom), as well as her bridesmaids, should see the bride in her dress before the ceremony. Most people today assume that this is to build suspense for the groom, or to symbolize the importance of patience and virtue in a union. The reason, however, is less than romantic. This tradition dates back to the days when marriages between brides and their husbands were arranged. The groom was not allowed to see his bride before the marriage in case he were to judge her unattractive and call off the nuptials altogether!
Something old, something new
This tradition is symbolic in nature. The bride wears “something old” to represent the ties she has and will continue to uphold with her family. This is a great opportunity for a mother of the bride or groom to lend a garter or other item as a talisman for a long and happy marriage. “Something new” is a nod to the bride’s new role as a wife, and many brides consider their ring or dress to symbolize this journey. “Something blue” is a custom derived in Israel, where brides would wear blue hair ribbons on their big day to symbolize fidelity and longevity. You may have already known all of this, but you may not know that the rhyme ends with: “and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” Brides who walk down the aisle with a penny pressed against their heel are said to be blessed with good fortune and a wealth of wonderful memories.
The bouquet
While this tradition today is an innocent game of catch that’s meant to predict the next bride-to-be, its origins are a little racier. The groom, traditionally, will toss the bride’s garter; the bride, in turn, will chuck her bouquet. In medieval times, however, the wedding guests would follow the bride and groom to their bedchambers and literally tear the bride’s gown asunder. In those days, it was considered good fortune to possess a piece of the bride’s clothing.
Have any fun stories to share about wedding traditions and folklore? Weigh in on some of the nuptial superstitions when you have a second! Looking to say, “I do!” to the perfect mother of the bride dress, mother of the groom dress or grandmother of the bride dress this summer? Check out this guide: https://www.1motherofthebride.com/wedding-planning-tips/five-features-for-mother-of-the-groom-dresses-this-summer/ to help you with your decision.
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