skip to main content

Wedding Traditions

19 years ago

My lovely bride-to-be and I have been discussing various wedding traditions. We have heard why the bride is given away. But there are others that we have been wondering about.

Why is it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?

Why is it bad luck for the bride to see the wedding rings before the wedding?

And we were also wondering if you guys knew of any other traditions, be they just family traditions, certain religious traditions, or anything else that you would be willing to share with the group.

Our wedding is less than six months away and I just can't wait to make this lovely lady my bride and enjoy the wonderful life together that I know that we will have.

Comments (2)

froggy05
19 years ago
Gardengate,

my wedding is a month away. We are incorporating our moms and dads into the reception, the moms will light the unity candles together with the dads. I think this makes it very special for the two families joining together.

We also decided to face the congregation as we say our vows instead of our backs to the congregation. The guests will see our faces as we say our vows to each other.

Thats our little "twist" on things, have you gotten other ideas?

Congratulations!
Anne
cali4dawn
19 years ago
According to superstition, the groom should never see the bride the eve of their wedding or their marriage will fail. Another story says it dates back to arranged marriages.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue:

Something old refers to wearing something that represents a link with the bride's family and her ancestor's life.
Wearing something new represents good fortune and success in the bride's new life.
Wearing something borrowed, which has already been worn by a happy bride at her wedding, is meant to bring good luck to the marriage.
Wearing something blue dates back to biblical times when the color blue was considered to represent purity and fidelity. Over time this has evolved from wearing blue clothing to wearing a blue band around the bottom of the bride's dress and to modern times where the bride wears a blue or blue trimmed garter.

There are simply hundreds of wedding superstitions we practice and don't even realize it... the ring finger is a superstition, the kiss, bridesmaids and groomsman all dressing alike, actually, every single thing about a traditional wedding is superstitious... all that is truly necessary is going to the courthouse and signing on the dotted line... but it's not near as much fun!

Superstitions are fun to practice before and during the wedding celebrations... as long as you remember they are just superstitions.
Related Discussions
My 'Bouquet of Color' Roseart
Q
Comments (2)
Waoo that is just amazing. You ave really put all the beautiful colors at one place. The moment i saw it was like "waaaooo". If you do not mind, i would like to save this for my photo collection of bouquet. Keep up this great job :)
...See More
Am I crazy to think this?
Q
Comments (15)
I would use solid 1/2" thick PVC beadboard (Azek, NuCedar, etc.) and paint it whatever you want. I think it's important to be able to change the color of the different elements of your house. Is the porch so large that cost is a problem? Will the siding be standard vinyl imitative clapboard? If so, you might want to consider an upgrade to NuCedar. If you want to paint it use the smooth version. Here is a link that might be useful: convincing PVC imitative siding
...See More
Throwing bouquet and garter tradition.
Q
Comments (29)
I only saw the steal the bride thing once, 40 years ago, and it was awful. The bride was hysterically crying and was actually struggling and not cooperating but they didn't stop. Then someone walked from table to table and expected people to pay to get her back. She also cried, bordering on hysterical, while coming down the aisle. I guess she cried easily and not discretely. Surprisingly with that start, I believe they're still married. I think it was the first wedding I ever attended and it made quite a negative impression on me. It certainly didn't look enjoyable or fun to be the bride. I've seen the bouquet toss and the garter toss many times but only once saw the garter put back on the bouquet catcher. Too many times, a big show is made of calling all the single women up to participate for this ridiculous stunt. It's rarely left to those who choose to play along, names are called from the stage "so-and-so, get up here, you're single!" Really tacky.
...See More
What's the biggest wedding party you have seen?
Q
Comments (18)
You know what Patty, if it isn't meaningful to you then don't do it. There are a lot of wedding traditions I think are plain dumb (throwing the bouquet, the garter, the cheesy way the wedding party is usually introduced) that I chose not to do. Purpose? How much of it really has a purpose? Why wear a white dress, a veil? Why do any of it? Just go to City Hall and exchange vows. Or don't get married at all, what's the purpose of that? In my case, making my father happy is purpose enough for me. Every wedding I attended between 1986 and 2007 the father walked the bride down the aisle, except in the few cases where the father had passed away. These brides ranged in age from 21 to 38. I went to a few wedding where the bride was older and it was a second or third marriage. In those cases the fathers had all passed away. The bride was escorted by her son in one case. What's the purpose of that? I doubt very much that the father walking the bride down the aisle is a "local phemonenon" here, especially since I live in an area where women are highly educated and often don't change their names (as I didn't).
...See More

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

BEDROOMS 10 Ways to Love Moroccan Wedding Blankets

By Laura Gaskill

These handmade textiles bring sparkle, texture and sumptuous beauty to spaces throughout the house

SHOP HOUZZ Houzz Products: Great Wedding Gifts for Modern Couples

Give newlyweds a gift as memorable as the day itself, to have and to hold in a special place at home

DECORATING GUIDES Make a Wedding Memorable With a Bridal Shower Brunch

By Kristy Woodson Harvey and Beth Woodson

Brides deserve a wedding shower as beautiful as they are. Gather ideas for a lovely fete from this bridal brunch designed by a pro

WEDDINGS Seattle Couple Restyles Their Home for a Wedding

Duo behind Reinspired Home invest in their house rather than a rented wedding venue

WEDDINGS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Backyard Wedding!

Did you say ‘I do’ at home? We want to hear and see everything about it. Share your photos and you could be featured in an upcoming ideabook

DECORATING GUIDES Wedding Fever: Brit Design on the Mind

By Vanessa Brunner

Union Jacks and More Fly High as Royal Wedding Draws Near

DECORATING GUIDES Our 15 Favorite Royal Wedding Souvenirs

By Vanessa Brunner

Deck Your Home With Crowns, Corgis and "It Should Have Been Me"

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Tradition and Romance Live On at an 1875 Estate

By Luci.D Interiors

Even without the ballroom, gazebo and resident peacock, this Australian property would be an idyllic wonder to behold

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: See a Traditional Home for Modern Life

Rambling Renovators are a Match Made in Design Heaven

HOLIDAYS Houzz Call: Share Your Favorite Christmas Tradition

By Becky Harris

Is there one thing you do, watch or eat that heralds the arrival of Christmas? Post a photo and let us know!

Sponsored

Remodel Repair Construction

9 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Westerville

More Discussions

Splitting up recently married couple- one in wedding party and one out

2