Are you ready to take the next step to your happy ever after? When your fiancé accepted the Argyle diamond engagement ring, you might think it’s all sunshine and roses. However, nothing’s all set yet unless you’ve both said: “I do”.
From planning to the actual wedding, there are many traditions to follow to have a successful celebration. These traditions have been considered for centuries and still exist today. So whatever your culture is, you still need to follow a few traditions to have a happy marriage (or at least to feel at peace).
You might’ve attended weddings before, if not, then you might’ve seen one on TV so you know that even depictions of weddings have certain superstitions and traditions.
Whether or not you believe in wedding traditions, it’s still fun to learn about them. So if you’re ready, you should check the list below!
1. The somethings (old, new, borrowed, and blue)
You might think they’re just luck charms, but something new, old, borrowed, and blue have their deeper representations. For instance, something old is about something from the past, while something new symbolises the future of the happy couple.
In addition, there’s also something borrowed from a happily married couple and something blue which is a sign of love a fidelity of the couple.
In the film Bride Wars (2009), the opening scene is about two best friends who are playing with a box full of wedding memorabilia like an Argyle diamond engagement ring. Moreover, since then, they both dream about their wedding day. Then, they get engaged.
Unfortunately, they encounter a serious problem but they also find the solution. Before one of them gets married, the father of the other bride gives a hairpin that symbolises something old, borrowed, and blue.
2. The outfits
At every wedding, there’s an ideal outfit for the groom and the bride. Usually, the bride wears a wedding dress, while the groom wears a suit.
Furthermore, there are also dresses for the bridesmaids and the groomsmen. Back then, it was believed that evil spirits are just hanging around during a wedding. And to confuse the evil spirit, they made the bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s outfits somewhat identical to the bride and the groom. That way, the spirit would get confused and won’t be able to curse the couple.
However, nowadays, it’s noticeable who’s the bride and the groom as they always stand out in the crowd. After all, it’s the day when they celebrate their love for each other so it’s reasonable.
3. The bouquet
Another well-known wedding tradition is that the bride carries a bouquet. But before this became popular, the original bouquet used in ancient Rome and Greece was composed of herbs. They believed that these aromatics will also drive away bad spirits.
However, things changed when all of a sudden Queen Victoria walked down the aisle carrying a bouquet. Since then, herbs were replaced with different kinds of flowers. Besides, flowers still have their fragrant scent that would add happiness to the wedding.
Meanwhile, aside from carrying the bouquet, it’s also a tradition that the bride gives it away during the wedding reception. Additionally, it’s also believed that the maiden who catches the bouquet will get married next.
4. The rings
An argyle diamond engagement ring or any other ring does not only exists during the wedding proposal. At the actual wedding, the bride and the groom also exchange rings where their names are engraved.
It’s believed that the wedding ring symbolises the commitment and bond of the couple for each other. Moreover, aside from that, the wedding ring should be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, since it’s believed that it’s where the vein of the heart is connected.
5. The first dance
Did you know that the most awaited dance at a wedding is the bride and the groom’s first dance? It symbolises the unity and love they have for each other. Moreover, it’s one of the most romantic activities they’ll do as a married couple.
For some couples, they would hire a dance instructor months before the wedding just so they can dance better. But for others, a simple slow dance would greatly symbolise the harmony of their relationship.
6. The cake
Another Queen Victoria-related discovery is the cake toppers representing the couple. As you may already know, the cake toppers represent the stability in a couple’s marriage. That’s why these toppers must be placed at the centre of the cake’s top tier.
Back then, it was also believed that there should be three tiers in a wedding cake as they also have symbols. The top tier of the cake should be kept by the couple and eaten together in the future, while the middle should be shared by the guests, and the bottom tier should be eaten by the couple at the reception.
Now that you know the most common wedding traditions, then you can now incorporate them into your wedding plans. Don’t forget to share with us other wedding traditions that you know by leaving a comment below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Aliana Baraquio is currently writing for Musson Argyle Diamonds, a rare and enduring jewellery design business that has been providing the finest jewellery for over 40 years in Sydney. Her free time is composed of her phone and new comics to read on.
