Wedding Traditions – 12 Facts

As you’ve been planning your wedding, you’ve probably already asked yourselves why the bridal bouquet is thrown at a wedding. And surely you’ve also wondered whether the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger because it’s called the “ring finger,” or whether it’s called the “ring finger” because the wedding ring is worn on it. Of course, you were also dying to know what bridesmaids and dreamcatchers have in common. No?! Well, okay, neither were we. But when you deal with weddings every day like we do, this kind of knowledge inevitably piles up—and what could be better than sharing it with you?

Why the Ring Finger Is Called the Ring Finger

It’s the chicken-and-egg question of the wedding industry, and just like that question, there’s a clear answer to the ring finger question as well. Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because people used to believe that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart. Over the centuries, the specific hand became irrelevant, and the finger was named after the wedding ring. BTW: The egg came first.

More on this topic: Left or right—which hand should the engagement ring go on?

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Why does the bride wear white?

Today, one might say that Maria de’ Medici was ahead of her time in 1600. Her wedding was the first in which an eggshell-colored silk gown was mentioned. A little more than a decade later, Princess Elizabeth of England also chose a white brocade gown. But it was Queen Victoria, who said “I do” to Prince Albert of Saxe-Gotha in 1840 while wearing white silk, lace, and a short bridal veil, who really set the trend in motion. From then on, a white wedding dress was worn at every aristocratic wedding. The wealthy classes also followed this example, and today the trend is so old that it has become a tradition.

More on this topic: How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress

Bridesmaids confuse evil spirits

There are several reasons why bridesmaids' dresses match the wedding dress: It looks pretty, shows their bond with the bride, and sets the bridesmaids apart from the rest of the guests. But the custom itself dates back to Roman times. Back then, people believed that evil spirits would attend the wedding and try to curse the bride. The bridesmaids dressed like the bride to confuse the spirits and thus ensure a happy marriage.

More on this topic: Inspiration for beautiful bridesmaid dresses

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What is the purpose of a bridal veil?

The bridal veil serves a similar purpose as the bridesmaids' dresses. It stems from the Greek tradition of hiding the bride from evil spirits.

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Something old, something blue, something borrowed

The tradition of a bride wearing “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” dates back to an old English rhyme. Something old represents continuity, something new represents optimism for the future, something borrowed symbolizes borrowed luck, and something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity. The custom made its way to Austria, Germany, and Switzerland in much the same way as Halloween did—through TV shows and movies.

The wedding cake is for the kids!

The wedding cake takes us back to ancient Rome. There, guests would break a loaf of bread over the bride’s head to ensure her fertility. Over the centuries, the bread has turned into a cake; it’s no longer broken but sliced, and the only person who looks like she might be pregnant afterward is little Max, who secretly polished off three pieces.

More on this topic: 5 Steps to Choosing the Right Wedding Cake

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Why do people say “tying the knot” in English?

In many cultures around the world—including among the Celts, Hindus, Egyptians, and the northern peoples of Westeros—the bride and groom’s hands are literally tied together to symbolize the couple’s commitment to one another and their new bond.

Why does the groom carry the bride over the threshold?

Let the Ghostbusters know—the ghosts aren’t giving up. After the bridesmaids and the veil thwarted all their evil plans, the ghosts have decided to hide under the doorframe and lie in wait for the bride there. But thanks to her strong, newlywed partner, she’s safe from this treachery, too.

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Why do newlyweds go on their honeymoon?

The tradition of going on a honeymoon originated in Northern Europe. There, it was customary for the newlyweds to retreat for a month—about 30 days—after the wedding. Probably so they could binge-watch their favorite TV shows or something like that. In any case, a family member would bring them a cup of mead every day—hence the English term “honeymoon.”

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Why does the bride toss the bridal bouquet?

These days, the significance of tossing the bridal bouquet is well known. The unmarried woman who catches the bouquet has been chosen by fate and will be the next to marry. Whether many wedding parties give fate a little nudge—and whether the bouquet toss is often more fiercely contested than a horse race in a mafia movie—is a question for another time. The custom has its origins in 15th-century England. Back then, it was said that receiving something from the bride at a wedding would bring good luck. As a result, guests would often tug at the bride’s dress to get a piece of it. Back then, tossing the bridal bouquet served as a distraction. As she left the church, the bride would toss the bouquet behind her to give the guests an alternative target. This makes the bridal bouquet likely the first decoy in human history.

Why is a garter thrown?

The garter toss also originated in England and is simply a variation on the bouquet toss. The men wanted to be able to catch something, too. The garter became the tradition because it has to be something that belongs to the bride—for good luck.

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Where does agape come from?

Most common in Austria, southern Germany, and Switzerland, the agape has its origins in the Christian faith and was held not only at weddings but also at other important events such as baptisms, First Communions, and Confirmations. Back then, however, it was a bit different. In the past, the entire congregation would attend the agape, and all guests would bring food, which was then shared among everyone. As lovely as that may sound, in Vienna that would mean around two million guests at your agape.

More on this topic: What is a wedding reception?