Wedding Trivia

We’ve been talking a lot about engagement rings, wedding bands and diamonds.  Through all of this we haven’t really talked about the wedding ceremony; and I got to thinking about all of the different “traditions and superstitions” associated with this auspicious day.  I decided to do a little research what I could find  – I was amazed at what I found!  All traditions have roots in cultures from around the world and have come together in a fairly cohesive package here in the U.S. 

 

Interesting enough all of the traditions held dear today stem from wishes of prosperity, warding off evils spirits and fertility.   In ancient times each of these items was essential to survival.  Prosperity was not just monetary but also tied to the land and ensuring a plentiful harvest for the winter months, evil spirits were thought to the culprit of just about everything and fertility, well, the more children one had the more land could be worked.   Obviously, I am over simplifying but I think that you get the idea. 

 

I find each of these traditions quite fascinating so let’s begin:

 

Why do the bride and bridesmaids/matron of honor dress similarly?

This come from ancient times when people believed that evil spirits might try to put a hex on the bride.  By dressing in a similar manner it was thought they would have a tougher time distinguishing the bride from here attendants.

The Rhyme ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,’ what does blue signify? 

This comes from ancient tradition and is tied to royalty or the “blue bloods.”  It was believe that the bride and groom on their wedding day were royalty. 

Why does a bride wear white? 

White has not always been the bridal color.  A white gown was popularized by Queen Victoria in 1840 when she wed Prince Albert.  This tradition continues today. 

What is the oldest bridal tradition?

Various Veils

 

The veil!  This dates back to ancient

Rome, when it was flame-yellow and was always worn over the face.  It was called a flammeum.

 

 

Why do we give almonds?

 

This is truly an international custom with European, Middle Eastern and the US partaking.  For more than a millennium, almonds were given as wedding gifts as an omen of good fortune typically signifying health, prosperity and happiness. 
In the Middle East one is to provide five almonds to the wedding couple signifying fertility, longevity, health and happiness.   

Why does a bride carry a bouquets?

Rose Bouquets

The true origins of this may never truly be known but flowers and nuptials have gone together for millennia.  This began as the bride/groom wearing a wreath of flowers on their heads and this can be traced to ancient

 

 

 

Ok, no we’re going to enter the strange but true portion of trivia today……

Greece and Roman.  Over the centuries the bouquet have changed and even contained dill and other herbs that were thought to increase the sexual desire or ward off evil spirits and promote good luck and prosperity.   During the Victorian era brides had to be especially careful in creating their wedding bouquets as each flower carried a specific meaning. 

 

 

Saturday is the most common day for wedding in the US but did you know that in English folklore it is the unluckiest day to marry!

Did you know that in Pennsylvania, ministers are forbidden to perform the nuptials if the bride or groom is drunk! 

The wedding kiss…..it’s the moment we all look forward to when the bride and groom share their first kiss as husband and wife.  We get to share in an intimate moment with the couple as they begin their life together.   The tradition comes from ancient times when at the end of the ceremony couples would make love for the first time under the watchful eyes of the majority of their village.

The bridal march comes from the Opera Lohengrin by the German composer by Richard Wagner.  The placement of this piece of music at the beginning of a wedding ceremony is not entirely accordance with its place in the opera.  This piece is performed by the women of the wedding part, as they accompany the heroine Elsa to the bridal chamber never mind that Elsa’s marriage to Lonhengrin is almost an immediate failure. 

 

 

So, now you know a little more about the big day; why one gives a diamond engagement ring; remember gentleman it’s due to

 

Maximilian I

Maximilian I; why wedding bands are worn on the third finger and how many of our customs and traditions have been formed over the years.    

 

Check out my next post as I will discuss how diamonds are formed; mined and the creation of a finished engagement ring, wedding band, necklace or earring.   Also check out our web site or feel free to drop in to talk to us about the custom designing a ring or see our website.