The Origin of the "Ring Finger"
In 3rd. century Greece the ring finger was the index finger. In India it was
the thumb. The western tradition began with the Greeks who believed that the
third finger was connected directly to the heart by a route that was called
"the vein of love."
The Origin of the "Wedding Ring"
Rings were used as currency in the Middle East prior to the advent of coinage
and were a sign of a person's wealth. In ancient times the wedding ring was
thought to protected the bride from "evil spirits". Ancient Roman wedding rings
were made of iron.
In early Rome a gold band came to symbolize everlasting love and commitment in
marriage. Roman wedding rings were carved with two clasped hands. Very early
rings had a carved key through which a woman was thought to be able to open her
husband's heart.
The Origin of the "Engagement Ring"
In 860 A.D., Pope Nicholas I decreed that an engagement ring becomes a required
statement of nuptial intent. He insisted that engagement rings had to be made
of gold which signified a financial sacrifice on the part of the prospective
husband.
The Origin of the Diamond Engagement Ring
The diamond engagement ring originated with King Maximillian who presented Mary
of Burgundy with a diamond ring in 1477 as a token of his love.
The Venetians popularized the custom during the 15th century. Since the diamond
was the hardest and most enduring substance in nature it followed that the
engagement and marriage would endure forever.
The Origin of the Wedding Cake
In the 1st. century B.C. in Rome, the cake was thrown at the bride or broken
over her head as one of the many fertility symbols which then were a part of
the marriage ceremony.
The Origin of the Groom's Cake
The tradition of a "Groom's Cake" comes from England and Ireland. There, the
traditional groom's cake is a fruit cake with white icing. The groom's cake is
usually served along with the traditional wedding cake. Today groom's cakes are
very often chocolate instead of the traditional fruit cake.
The Origin of the Toast
The term originates from the sixteenth century. At that time a small piece of
bread would be placed in a goblet of wine. The goblet would be passed from
guest to guest until it reached the person being honored who would drain the
goblet and eat the morsel of bread in the bottom. This tradition is practiced
at weddings today - usually in the form of one or more champagne "toasts". The
best man has the honor of giving the first toast. Usually the bride and groom
remain seated for the toasts while all the guests are usually standing to honor
them. The couple may then make a few remarks thanking their families, wedding
party members, and guests. They may also "toast" each other or share a "toast"
together. Often special glass or silver goblets are used by the bride and
groom.
The Origin of the Best Man Tradition
Among the Germanic Goths of northern Europe in 200 A.D., a man usually married
a woman from within his own community. However, when there were fewer women,
the prospective bridegroom would capture his bride from a neighboring village.
The bridegroom was accompanied by his strongest friend (or best friend), who
helped him capture his bride.
Why the Bride Stands to the Grooms Left
After the bridegroom captured his bride, he placed her on his left to protect
her, thus freeing his right hand or sword hand against sudden attack.
The Origin of the "Honeymoon"
After "kidnapping" his bride, the groom would take her and go into hiding. By
the time the bride's family tracked them down them, the bride would probably
already be pregnant! A "bride price" would then be negotiated.
An earlier source is the early Jewish custom of the bride and groom spending a
week together alone immediately after the marriage feast. The earliest
reference to this practice is Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel.
The Origin of the Term "Wedding"
Although some brides were kidnapped, marriage by purchase was the preferred
method of obtaining a wife. The "bride price" could be land, social status,
political alliances, or cash. The Anglo-Saxon word "wedd" meant that the groom
would vow to marry the woman, but it also referred to the bride price (money or
barter) to be paid by the groom to the bride's father. The root of the word
"wedding" literally means to gamble or wager!
The Origin of Dowries
As civilizations developed, political, military, and economic ties became very
important to prominent families and clans. Arranged marriages were a means of
cementing ties between families, middle class family businesses, and countries.
A man's daughters, who were considered to be his property in those days,
provided a means of securing needed alliances with other families. Thus dowries
were introduced as a means attracting and securing the most beneficial family
alliances possible.
The Origin of the Term "to Tie the Knot"
The term "tie the knot" also goes back Roman times. the bride would wear a
girdle that was tied in many knots which the groom had the "duty" of untying.
The Origin of Bridal Showers
Bridal showers were meant to strengthen the ties between the bride and her
friends, provide her moral support, and help her prepare for her marriage. Gift
giving at showers dates from the 1890's.
The Origin of Stag Parties
In Sparta, during the height of Greek civilization, soldiers were the first to
hold stag parties. The groom would have a party for his friends the night
before he was to marry. He would bid farewell to his bachelorhood and pledge
his continued allegiance to his comrades.
The Origin of the Bridal Party
This term has many origins from different cultures. In Anglo-Saxon times, the
groom had the help of "bridesmen" or "brideknights" to help him capture and/or
escort his bride. Later they would make sure that the bride got to the church
and to the groom's home afterwards. The women who accompanied and assisted the
bride were called "bridesmaids" or "brideswomen".
The Origin of Saturday Weddings
In early times, for Christians, Sunday was the original day of choice for
weddings because it was not a work day. The Puritan revolution in England
during the 17th century changed all that - because the Puritans thought it
improper to be festive on the Sabbath. Saturday is the most popular day for
wedding now.
The Origin of the Traditional White Wedding Dress
In 1499, Ann of Brittany popularized the white wedding gown. Prior to that
time, a woman simply wore her best dress or a new dress without regard to the
basic color.
The Origin of Something "Old", "New", "Borrowed", and "Blue"
The tradition of carrying one or more items that are "old", "new", "borrowed"
and "blue" also comes from English. There is an old English rhyme describing
the practice which also mentions a sixpence in the bride's shoe. Something old,
signifying continuity, could be a piece of lace, jewelry, or a grandmother's
handkerchief. Something new, signifying optimism in the future could be an
article of clothing or the wedding rings. Something borrowed, signifying future
happiness, could be handkerchief from a happily married relative or friend.
Something blue, signifying modesty, fidelity and love, comes from early Jewish
history. In early Biblical times, blue not white symbolized purity. Both the
bride and groom usually wore a band of blue material around the bottom of their
wedding attire, hence the tradition of "something blue". Originally the
sixpence was presented to the bride by her future husband as a token of his
love. Today, very often, it is the bride's father who places a coin in the
brides shoe prior to leaving home for the church.
The Origin of Wedding Flowers
From the earliest times, brides have adorned their hair with flowers and
carried bunches of flowers. Traditionally, each type of flower had a special
meaning and significance in and of itself. Flowers were often thrown at the
couple after the ceremony. However today, most brides pick their flowers for
color and personal appeal not based on the traditional meaning of particular
flowers.
The groom's flower, worn on his lapel, usually matches one of the flowers in
his bride's bouquet. This tradition goes back to medieval times when knights
wore the colors of their lady in tournaments.
The Origin of the Garter and Bridal Bouquet Toss
In parts of Europe during the 14th contrary, having a piece of the bride's
clothing was thought to bring good luck. Guests would literally destroy the
brides dress by ripping off pieces of fabric. In order to prevent this, brides
began throwing various items to the guests - the garter belt being one of the
items.
In order to avoid this problem, it became customary in the 14th century for the
bride to toss her garter to the men. Sometimes the men would get drunk, become
impatient, and try to remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom
evolved for the groom to remove and toss the garter. With that change the bride
started to toss the bridal bouquet to the unwed girls of marriageable age.
Why it Became "Bad Luck" for the Groom to See Bride Before the Ceremony
Until relatively recently, brides were considered the property of their father.
Their futures and husbands were arranged without their consent. The marriage of
an unattractive woman was often arranged with a prospective groom from another
town without either of them having ever seen their prospective spouse. In more
than one instance, when the groom saw his future wife, usually dressed in
white, for the first time on the day of the wedding, he changed his mind and
left the bride at the altar. To prevent this from happening, it became "bad
luck" for the groom to see the bride on the day of the wedding prior to the
ceremony.
The Origin of the Wedding Veil
Brightly colored veils were worn in ancient times in many parts of the world
and were considered a protection against evil spirits Greek and Roman brides
for yellow or red veils (representing fire) to ward off evil spirits and
demons. At one time, Roman brides were completely covered with a red veil for
protection.
In early European history, with the advent of arranged marriages veils served
another purpose - to prevent the groom from seeing the brides' face till after
the ceremony was over. Brides began to wear opaque yellow veils. Not only could
the groom not see in, the bride could not see out! Therefore, the father of the
bride had to escort her down the aisle and literally give the bride to the
groom.
Nellie Custis, the daughter of Martha Washington, is credited with wearing the
first lace veil.
Today, prior to a Jewish wedding ceremony, it is the groom who ritually "veils
the bride". This reason for this tradition goes back to the marriage of Jacob
to Leah (the older sister) when he thought he was marrying Rachel (the younger
sister) whom he loved.
The Origin of the Bridal Kiss
The kiss dates back to the earliest days of civilization in the Middle East. A
kiss was used as the formal seal to agreements, contracts, etc. In Ancient Rome
a kiss was still being used as the legal bold to seal contracts. Hence the
obvious use of the custom at the end of the wedding ceremony to "seal" the
marriage vows.
The Origin of Throwing Rice
Rice has been used as a symbol of fertility and as a wish for a "full pantry"
in various parts of the world from ancient to modern times. In the past, rice
was not the only thing thrown at the bride and groom as the left the wedding.
Wheat, instead of rice, was thrown in France, figs and dates were thrown in
Northern Africa, and a combination of coins, dried fruit, and candy was thrown
in Italy. In some European countries eggs are thrown!
Since rice is harmful to the birds that eat it, birdseed has replaced it for
most weddings. Flower petals, confetti, baubles, and balloons are often used
today instead of rice.
The Origin of Tying Old Shoes to the Car
This tradition originated in England during the Tudor period. At that time,
guests would throw shoes at the bride and groom as they left in their carriage.
It was considered good luck if their carriage was hit. Today, more often than
not, it is beverage cans that are tied to a couple's car instead of shoes. It
should also be noted that the English consider it good luck if it rains on
their wedding day!
The Origin of the Groom Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold
Traditionally, the bride had to enter her new home the first time through the
front door. If she tripped or stumbled while entering it was considered to be
very bad luck. Hence, the tradition of the groom carrying the bride over the
threshold.
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