Tradition

The White Wedding Dress: Though most believe it is the sign of purity, the first known white wedding dress was worn in 1499 by Anne of Brittany when she married Louis XII of France... it wasn't made popular until Queen Victoria set the trend though in the 1840's and Coco Chanel for continuing it in the 1920's.  Blue stands for purity...

Engagement: Since 1215, when Pope Innocent III declared that couples should undergo an official waiting period before marriage, the engagement period has been the standard time for planning the ceremony and reception.

Engagement & Wedding Rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.

The Garter Toss is one of the oldest surviving wedding traditions. Back in medieval times, it was customary for friends, relatives and guests, to accompany the bridal couple to the marriage bed. As time went on, this became so rowdier to the point that some guests were all too eager to help the bride out of her wedding clothes. To forestall such impropriety, the garters were quickly removed and thrown to the mob as a distraction. As time went on, it has evolved into the tradition we now know.

An Early American Custom: The bride pinned a small pouch to her wedding petticoat. This pouch contained a small piece of bread, cloth or wood and a single one-dollar bill. This ensured there would be enough food, clothes, shelter and money for the couple.

The Bride Stands to the Groom’s Left during a Christian ceremony, because in bygone days, the groom needed his right hand free to fight off other suitors.

The Threshold: Groom carries bride across threshold to bravely protect her from evil spirits lurking below.

Sprig of Live Ivy in Bridal Bouquet: Ivy symbolizes eternal fidelity & wedded bliss. A popular Victorian tradition was for a bride to plant the ivy in her bouquet after the wedding and watch it grow through the years, passing down sprigs from the same plant for her daughters & granddaughters to use in their weddings.

The Bridal Bouquet: The white rose, which is used so commonly in the bridal bouquet, means love, joy and beauty. The white bouquet has been a tradition since Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840. Lilies and roses are among the top choices for white bouquets. Lily of the valley makes a beautiful white spring bouquet. Of course with the turn of the century, brides have begun to go out on a limb, choosing wild colorful bouquets for themselves. Yellows, reds, oranges, purples and hot pinks have become a way of showing the new millennium bride is a free spirit.  

The Victorian Bride: The white wedding dress was made popular by Anne of Brittany in 1499. Before that, a woman just wore her best dress. It should be noted that a white wedding dress is no way indicative of the “purity” of the bride-to-be. Indeed, white is not accorded as a symbol of chastity, but of joy.

Unity Candle: In South Africa, the parents of both the bride and groom traditionally carried fire from their hearths to light a new fire in the newlywed’s hearth.

Wedding Cake: The wedding cake has always played an important part in the wedding. Ancient Romans broke a cake over the bride’s head to symbolize fertility or abundance. Many other cultures dropped wheat, flour or cake on the bride’s head, then ate the crumbs for good luck. The early British baked baskets of dry crackers and every guest took one home after the wedding. In medieval times, guests brought small cakes and piled them on a table. The bride and groom then attempted to kiss over the cakes. A young baker decided to put all the cakes together and cover them with frosting, thus the tiered wedding cake was born.

Something Old: Signifies a sense of continuity, tradition and represents the link to the bride’s old life and her family. (the sixpence)

Something New: Signifies the couple’s new beginning, new life together as well as their hope for the future. (the wedding dress)

Something Borrowed: Borrow something from a happily married friend or family. To wish you that your married life will mirror the happiness in her marriage. Brides can borrow jewelry or a handkerchief from a family member or close friend.

Something Blue: Blue represents fidelity, love and purity. (the toss garter with a blue ribbon or blue embroidery on a handkerchief)