Five Traditions that Most Brides Follow for their Wedding

Articles on Weddings | Topics: weddings, wedding

by Katie Suarez

Weddings will always be a big to-do; this has been the case for hundreds of years. With all the cultures and many beliefs these days, and including those of days long gone it is easy to understand why weddings are such a big course of planning and work. There are many traditions that are attached to the wedding and it's ceremony, which one you choose will depend on many things. It could be religion, culture, tradition, or heritage. All of these play a key role in what you decide.

The weddings of the past were merely for survival of a name, and procreation. Today worrying about a tribe, and the future of it, is not the reason of marriage. It is out of love now that bonds man and woman in holy matrimony. Many traditions have indeed carried over from the past and are incorporated into the ceremony and the following reception. From the white gown and flowing vale and train, all the way down to the timeless saying, "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue". This saying dates back to the Victorian era, and was believed to be good luck for the bride whenever she used this old superstition in her wedding. The bride's link to her past, such as perhaps her mother's wedding gown or vale, can be worn as a tribute hence something old. New shoes or a new string of pearls can be used to represent something new. This primarily was used to give success and good fortune to the bride. When the bride wears a token of friendship lent by someone close, it symbolizes something borrowed. Wearing a blue ribbon or garter, is believed throughout time to be related to loyalty and faithfulness, and finally this is where the something blue can about.

Historical Quote

Judge Bedford: Planning on having children?
David: Naturally.
Judge Bedford: Good, then I know what to get you for a wedding present.
David: Yeah? What’s that?
Judge Bedford: A vasectomy.

—Dale Launer (b. 1953)

Was there ever a time when you stopped and thought about what a wedding would have been like 100 years ago? Do you ever wonder if they are in any way like they are now? Well there are certain sayings and traditions that have come from the past, and just seemed to stick. The history and roots of the traditional wedding is steeped in history. The marriages of the past have paved the way, for weddings of today. There is sometimes an additional saying to this tradition and it involves placing a silver coin in the shoe of the bride. This is meant to incite wealth on her. It was usually a Sixpence however; they are not easy to find these days so any silver coin will do. The wedding traditions of today are directly related to tradition that was forged many years ago. It was generally around the fifteen to sixteen hundreds that started most of the traditions that we know of today. It is believed the Celts in old Ireland whom started the tradition of a white wedding gown and vale. The timeless tradition of tossing the bouquet backwards to the waiting hands of many single women at the wedding is believed to be from that time as well. As with most things in life, history has shaped what is known today. Wedding traditions are no exception to that rule. Many cultures have their own unique and interesting wedding traditions and they have seemed to withstand the tests of time, not unlike our own. One instance of a steeped tradition going back in ages is with the Jewish or Hebrew faith, where a glass is broken once the new couple has been pronounced man and wife. Some tribes in Africa, still hand over livestock and food items to the bride's family.

The reception has been noted to be a tradition that has dated back many centuries as well. One could easily assume that this tradition is not going anywhere, any time soon. The premise of the wedding reception has not strayed from its original root very much. It was a party or celebration for the new couple to start their new life together on the right foot, as well a showing of appreciation for the bond that they have embarked on. The pledge of marriage is the single most honorable pledge we can make in our lifetime, this in itself is a timeless tradition that is generally done before friends and family. It is said the wedding pledge is the most sublime, yet the most basis pledge in this day and age. The Greeks used the term "wed", which means pledge. No matter where the pledge is performed or under which religion or culture to wed, or marry, is and always will be a pledge. In reality there are very few things in life these days that carry with them the embodiment of tradition, weddings will always be something that has one form or another of tradition attached to it.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Five Traditions that Most Brides Follow for their Wedding" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FamilyBabyKids.com.

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