Each group, whether bound by culture, religious, national, or ethnic origin, has their own unique traditions surrounding union of marriage and the wedding ceremony. These traditions are as diverse and varied as mankind itself. The stories surrounding the origin of these traditions are not only interesting but provide an insight into understanding each group and the conditions present at the time.
Most of the wedding traditions observed in the western world today date from the time of the Roman Empire, who borrowed heavily from the ancient Greeks and the European Middle Ages. Most of these traditions were born from the civilization, culture, and/or the political and economic requirements of the times. Back to Index
Although most of these "traditions" have no economic or political meaning today, they are adhered to today simply because in recent memory "it's always been done that way". Each culture has also adopted traditions from other modern and ancient cultures. For example, today in Japan, most couples have a "western" style wedding ceremony in addition to their "traditional" Japanese wedding ceremony.
Some couples today do not want to be bound by what they consider the "outdated" traditions followed by earlier generations. Some couples also write their own vows as a way to make the wedding ceremony uniquely "theirs."
Most parts of the modern Christian wedding service have their roots in the traditional Jewish wedding service.
Since most couples do not know how many of these traditions came into being we provide this brief overview of some of the traditions associated with weddings in the western world. Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF THE TERM "WEDDING"
Although some brides were kidnapped, marriage by purchase was the preferred method of obtaining a wife. The "bride price" could be land, social status, political alliances, or cash. The Anglo-Saxon word "wedd" meant that the groom would vow to marry the woman, but it also referred to the bride price (money or barter) to be paid by the groom to the bride's father. The root of the word "wedding" literally means to gamble or wager!
THE ORIGIN OF THE "ENGAGEMENT RING"
In 860 A.D., Pope Nicholas I decreed that an engagement ring become a required statement of nuptial intent. He insisted that engagement rings had to be made of gold which signified a financial sacrifice on the part of the prospective husband. Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF THE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING
In 1477, King Maximilian presented to Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring as an expression of his love. People with status lower than the king emulated this practice and thus the tradition of the "diamond" engagement ring was born.
After Romans were part of history, the Venetians popularized the custom during the 15th century. Since the diamond was the hardest and most enduring substance in nature it followed that the engagement and marriage would endure forever.
THE ORIGIN OF THE "WEDDING RING"
Jewelry, especially Rings were used as currency in the Middle East prior to the advent of coinage and were a sign of a persons wealth. In ancient times the wedding ring was thought to protected the bride from "evil spirits". Ancient Roman wedding rings were made of iron.
THE ORIGIN OF THE "RING FINGER"
In the 3rd century, ancient Greeks used index finger as the ring finger. In India, the thumb was the ring finger. In the Western World, the "ring finger" we commonly identify today, began with latter Greeks who believed that the third finger was connected directly to the heart by a route that was called "the vein of love." Back to Index
In early Rome, a gold band came to symbolize everlasting love and commitment in marriage. Roman wedding rings were carved with two clasped hands. Very early rings had a carved key through which a woman was thought to be able to open her husband's heart.
THE ORIGIN OF THE WEDDING CAKE
In the 1st century B.C. in Rome, a special cake was thrown at the bride or broken over her head as one of many pagan fertility rituals, which were then a part of the marriage ceremony. Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF THE GROOM'S CAKE
The tradition of a "Groom's Cake" is thought to originate in England and Ireland. In those countries, the traditional groom's cake was a fruit-laden cake with white icing. The groom's cake is usually served along with the traditional wedding cake. Today groom's cakes are very often chocolate instead of the traditional fruit cake.
THE ORIGIN OF THE TOAST
This term probably originates around the sixteenth century. At that time, a small piece of bread would be placed in a goblet of wine. The goblet would be passed from guest to guest until it reached the person being honored who would drain the goblet and eat the morsel of bread in the bottom.
Highly modified, this tradition is practiced at weddings today - usually in the form of one or more champagne "toasts". The best man has the honor of giving the first toast. Usually the bride and groom remain seated for the toasts while all the guests are usually standing to honor them. The couple may then make a few remarks thanking their families, wedding party members, and guests. They may also "toast" each other or share a "toast" together. Often special glasses or silver goblets are used by the bride and groom. Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF THE BEST MAN TRADITION
Around 200 A.D., among the many Germanic Gothic tribes of northern Europe, a man usually married a woman from within his own community or clan. However, when there were fewer available women, the prospective bridegroom would capture (read kidnap) his bride from a neighboring village. The bridegroom was accompanied by his strongest friend (or best friend), who helped him capture his bride.
WHY THE BRIDE STANDS TO THE GROOMS LEFT
After the bridegroom captured his bride, he placed her on his left to protect her, thus freeing his right hand or sword hand against sudden attack.
THE ORIGIN OF THE "HONEYMOON"
Originally termed a "Honey Month" and then degenerating into the term "Honeymoon." After "kidnapping" his bride, the groom would take her and go into hiding. By the time the bride's family tracked them down them, the bride would probably already be pregnant! A "bride price" would then be negotiated.
An earlier source is the early Jewish custom of the bride and groom spending a week together alone immediately after the marriage feast. The earliest reference to this practice is Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel.
THE ORIGIN OF DOWRIES
As civilizations developed, political, military, and economic ties became very important to prominent families and clans. Arranged marriages were a means of cementing ties between families, middle class family businesses, and countries. A man's daughters, who were considered to be his property in those days, provided a means of securing needed alliances with other families. Thus dowries were introduced as a means attracting and securing the most beneficial family alliances possible. Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF THE TERM "TO TIE THE KNOT"
The term "tie the knot" also goes back Roman times. The bride would wear a girdle that was tied in many knots which the groom had the "duty" of untying.
THE ORIGIN OF BRIDAL SHOWERS
Bridal showers were meant to strengthen the ties between the bride and her friends, provide her moral support, and help her prepare for her marriage. Around the 1890's, the practice of giving gifts at showers began.
THE ORIGIN OF STAG PARTIES
In ancient Sparta, during the height of Greek civilization, soldiers were the first to hold stag parties. The groom would have a party for his friends the night before he was to marry. He would bid farewell to his bachelorhood
and pledge his continued allegiance to his fellow soldiers. Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF THE BRIDAL PARTY
This term has many origins from different cultures. In Anglo-Saxon times, the groom had the help of "bridesmen" or "brideknights" to help him capture and/or escort his bride to the altar. Later they would make sure that the bride got to the church and to the groom's home afterwards. The women who accompanied and assisted the bride were called "bridesmaids" or "brideswomen".
THE ORIGIN OF SATURDAY WEDDINGS
In early times, for Christians, Sunday was the original day of choice for weddings because it was not a work day. The Puritan revolution in England during the 17th century changed all that - because the Puritans thought it improper to be festive on the Sabbath. Saturday is the most popular day for wedding now.
THE ORIGIN OF THE TRADITIONAL WHITE WEDDING DRESS
In 1499, Ann of Brittany popularized the white wedding gown. Prior to that time, a woman simply wore her best dress or a new dress without regard to the basic color. Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF SOMETHING "OLD", "NEW", "BORROWED", AND "BLUE"
The tradition of carrying one or more items that are "old", "new", "borrowed" and "blue" also comes from early English customs. There is an old English rhyme describing the practice which also mentions a sixpence in the brides shoe. Something old, signifying continuity, could be a piece of lace, jewelry, or a grandmother's handkerchief. Something new, signifying optimism in the future, could be an article of clothing or the wedding rings. Something borrowed, signifying future happiness, could be handkerchief from a happily married relative or friend. Something blue, signifying modesty, fidelity and love, comes from early Jewish history. In early Biblical times, blue not white symbolized purity. Both the bride and groom usually wore a band of blue material around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence the tradition of "something blue". Originally the sixpence was presented to the bride by her future husband as a token of his love. Today, very often, it is the bride's father who places a coin in the brides shoe prior to leaving home for the church. Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF WEDDING FLOWERS
From the earliest times, brides have adorned their hair with flowers and carried bunches of flowers. Traditionally, each type of flower had a special meaning and significance in and of itself. Flowers were often thrown at the couple after the ceremony. However today, most brides pick their flowers for color and personal appeal not based on the traditional meaning of particular flowers.
The groom's flower, worn on his lapel, usually matches one of the flowers in his bride's bouquet. This tradition goes back to medieval times when knights wore the colors of their lady in tournaments.
THE ORIGIN OF THE GARTER AND BRIDAL BOUQUET TOSS
In parts of Europe during the 14th contrary, having a piece of the bride's clothing was thought to bring good luck. Guests would literally destroy the brides dress by ripping off pieces of fabric. In order to avoid this, it became customary in the 14th century for the bride to toss her garter to unmarried men at the ceremony. Sometimes the men would get drunk, become impatient, and try to remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom evolved for the groom to remove and toss the garter. With that change the bride started to toss the bridal bouquet to the unwed girls of marriageable age. Back to Index
WHY IT BECAME"BAD LUCK" FOR THE GROOM TO SEE BRIDE BEFORE THE CEREMONY
Until relatively recently, brides were considered the property of their father. Their futures and husbands were arranged without their consent. The marriage of an unattractive woman was often arranged with a prospective groom from another town without either of them having ever seen their prospective spouse. In more than one instance, when the groom saw his future wife, usually dressed in white, for the first time on the day of the wedding, he changed his mind and left the bride at the altar. To prevent this from happening, it became "bad luck" for the groom to
see the bride on the day of the wedding just prior to the ceremony. Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF THE WEDDING VEIL
Brightly colored veils were worn in ancient times in many parts of the world and were considered a protection against evil spirits. Greek and Roman brides for yellow or red veils (representing fire), again to ward off evil spirits and demons. At one time, Roman brides were completely covered with a red veil for protection.
In early European history, with the advent of arranged marriages veils served another purpose - to prevent the groom from seeing the brides' face till after the ceremony was over. Brides began to wear opaque yellow veils. Not only could the groom not see in, the bride could not see out! Therefore, the father of the bride had to escort her down the aisle and literally give the bride to the groom. Back to Index
Today, prior to a Jewish wedding ceremony, it is the groom who ritually "veils the bride". This reason for this tradition goes back to the marriage of Jacob to Leah (the older sister) when he thought he was marrying Rachel (the younger sister) whom he loved.
THE ORIGIN OF THE BRIDAL KISS
The kiss dates back to the earliest days of civilization in the Middle East. A kiss was used as the formal seal to agreements, contracts, etc. In Ancient Rome a kiss was still being used as the legal bold to seal contracts. Hence the obvious use of the custom at the end of the wedding ceremony to "seal" the marriage vows. Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF THROWING RICE
Rice has been used as a symbol of fertility and as a wish for a "full pantry" in various parts of the world from ancient to modern times. In the past, rice was not the only thing thrown at the bride and groom as they left the wedding ceremony. Wheat, instead of rice, was thrown in France, figs and dates were thrown in Northern Africa, and a combination of coins, dried fruit, and candy was thrown in Italy. In some European countries eggs are thrown!
Since rice is harmful to the birds that eat it, birdseed has replaced it for most weddings. Flower petals, confetti, baubles, and balloons are often used today instead of rice.
THE ORIGIN OF TYING OLD SHOES TO THE CAR
This tradition originated in England during the Tudor period. At that time, guests would throw shoes at the bride and groom as they left in their carriage. It was considered good luck if their carriage was hit. Today, more often than not, it is beverage cans that are tied to a couples car instead of shoes. It should also be noted that the English consider it good luck if it rains on the wedding day! Back to Index
THE ORIGIN OF THE GROOM CARRYING THE BRIDE OVER THE THRESHOLD
Traditionally, the bride had to enter her new home the first time through the front door. If she tripped or stumbled while entering it was considered to be very bad luck. Hence the tradition of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold.
In earlier (ancient) times, most homes did not have a hard floor and thresh (as in thresh from field crops) was used to provide a soft, absorbent surface on which to walk. A stick at the door was used to "hold" the thresh and thus the term "threshold" used today. Back to Index
