Wedding Customs and Origins
The Wedding Cake
Ancient Greeks threw cakes at the newly married couple, just as we throw confetti today.
Upper class Romans made cakes to be shared by the bride and groom first. They thought this promised the happy couple a life of plenty and happiness. The remainder of the cake was broken over the brides head and guest wishing to share in the blessing would rush over and eat a piece for themselves. Only children born to a marriage sanctified in this way would qualify for high sacred offices in Roman Life. Not only did the cake provide the couple with future fertility, but it also promised their unconceived children a propitious future. Early Anglo Saxons provided a huge basket of dried biscuits and each guest would take one. The remainder was shared with the poor. In later times, wedding guest would bring their own cakes and stack them in a mound. If the bride and groom were able to kiss each other over the mountain of cakes they were promised long life, happiness, and good fortune.
It is believed a French chef observed how all the small cakes were piles on top of each other and suggested icing the mound into one massive cake. Today's wedding cakes are based on the unusual shape of the spire of St. Bride's church in London.
The Wedding Veil
The wedding veil origin is not certain. One belief is that it is a relic of days when the groom would throw a blanket over the head of the woman of his choice when he captured her and carted her off.
Another belief is during the time of arranged marriages, the bride's face was covered until the groom was committed to her at the ceremony, so he could not run away if he didn't like what he saw.
Another belief is the bride wore the veil to ward off evil spirits that would be lurking around on her wedding day.
These origin have evolved into the tradition that the veil covers the brides face throughout the ceremony until the minister pronounces the couple husband and wife. Today, the veil is often lifted by the bride's father when the bride arrives at the alter.
When To Marry
English rhyme tells the fate of your marriage.
Married when the year is new
He'll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds do mate
You wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow
Joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can
Joy for maiden and the man.
Marry in the month of May
And you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when the June roses grow
Over land and sea you'll go
Those who in July do wed
Must labor for their daily bread.
Whoever wed in August be,
Many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September's shine,
Your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry
Love will come, but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November
Only joys will come, remember.
When December's snows fall fast,
Marry and true love will last.
Monday for wealth.
Tuesday for health.
Wednesday the best day of all.
Thursday for losses.
Friday for crosses.
Saturday for no luck at all.
Shoes and Weddings
The tradition of tying shoes to the newlywed's car has several believed origins so believe it began during the times of marriage by capture, with the bride's father throwing his shoe in anger at the escaping groom and his stolen bride
with the notion leather had the ability to protect against evil spirits and tying shoes to the back of the newlywed's transportation would deter them from interfering.
A second belief is shoes symbolize fertility.
A third, the throwing of shoes once symbolized the fulfillment of a bargain, which, in the case of marriage, transferred the father's authority over the bride to her new husband. The Bride's father would tap the bride over the head with it
symbolizing the acceptance of his new authority.
Also, it was considered to bring good luck to the bride and the groom if their guest threw shoes at them. If the bride threw her shoe, it was thought that the one who catches it will be the next to marry. Today bride's throw a bouquet of flowers.
Lastly, it was considered lucky to get married in an old pair of shoes.
Wedding Favors
The tradition of giving the wedding guest something to remember the day by in the form of favors has been around for hundreds of years. Today, the tradition includes the use of unique items which include, candles, soaps, silver and chrome items, and wedding themed favors.
Many today give each guest five sugar coated almonds to symbolize health,
wealth, fertility, happiness and long-life. The association of the almond with love goes back to a Greek legend with the story of a young man by the name of Demophon, who met and fell in love with a Tracian princess, Phyllis.
However, before the marriage ceremony could take place he is informed that his father has died in Athens and he must return for the funeral. He promises to return on a certain date, but miscalculates the time it will take him and does not return
for three months. Phyllis is convinced by that time she will never see her lover again and hangs herself.
The Gods are so touched by her love for Demophon they turn her into an almond tree. Grief stricken Demophon offers a sacrifice, declaring his undying love to the almond tree upon his return. The Almond tree blossoms in response.
Bridal Flowers and Their Meanings
In ancient times it was believed that strong smelling herbs and spices would ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health. During Roman times the bride and groom wore floral garlands signifying new life and hope for fertility.
The bouquet symbolizes a woman in bloom. Flowers took on a different meaning during Victorian times. Lovers would send messages to each other using different flowers, with each flower have a separate meaning. Today we adopted these traditions into the wedding bouquet, which is widely used by many brides.
Most Popular Flowers and Their Meanings
- Apple Blossom / Better things to come
- Camellia / Gratitude
- Carnations / Fascination and Love
- Chrysanthemum / White/ Truth
- Chrysanthemum / Red/ I Love You
- Cyclamen / Modesty and Shyness
- Daffodil / Regard
- Daisy / Innocence
- Fern / Fascination and Sincerity
- Flowering Almond / Hope
- Forget-Me-Not / True Love and Remembrance
- Heliotrope / Devotion and Faithfulness
- Honeysuckle / Generosity
- Hyacinth / Loveliness
- Hydrangea / Boastfulness
- Iris / Warmth of Affection
- Ivy / eternal Fidelity
- Japonica / Loveliness
- Jasmine / Amiability
- Lemon Blossom / Fidelity in Love
- Lilac / White / Youthful Innocence
- Lily / Majesty
- Lily of the Valley / Return of Happiness
- Magnolia / Perseverance
- Maidenhair / Discretion
- Mimosa / Sensitivity
- Orange Blossom / Purity and Virginity
- Peach Blossom / Captive
- Rose / Red / Love
- Rose / Coral / Desire
- Rose / Peach / Modesty
- Rose / Dark Pink / Thankfulness
- Rose / Pale Pink / Grace
- Rose / Orange / Fascination
- Rose / White / Innocence
- Rosemary / Remembrance
- Snowdrop / Hope
- Sweet Pea / Delicate Pleasure
- Tulip / Love
- Veronica / Fidelity
- Violet / Faithfulness
"This Day I Will Marry My Friend, The One I Laugh With, Live For, Dream With, Love."
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Wedding Customs
