Wedding Traditions & Superstitions

Photo by Angela Sevin

There is no limit to the wedding traditions and rituals you can include in your ceremony.  This couple blended Buddhist, Chinese and Native American traditions into their non traditional ceremony on the beach.

Looking for wedding traditions to make your ceremony unique?  This UK based website has a six part series of articles on wedding tradition and superstition alone.

The history of wedding traditions and meanings you may not be familiar with…

The Silver Sixpence - Placed in the bride’s left shoe to guarantee her a lifetime of wealth.

Lucky Horseshoe - Must be hung upside down to keep the good luck in; placed over a doorway it wards off the devil.  Often used as cake toppers.  (I’m hoping not an actual horse shoe.  That’s kind of…icky.)

Bride On the Left, Groom On the Right - This tradition started because the groom would draw his sword with his right hand, allowing him to protect his lady love.  (So she’s out of luck if he’s left handed?)

Throwing Confetti - The custom of throwing confetti or more often sugar coated grain on the newlywed couple dates back to pagan traditions and is supposed to assure fertility.  Personally, I think people love any excuse to throw stuff.

Flower In the Groom’s Button Hole - In Medieval times, a knight would declare his love for his lady by wearing her colors.  Today, the groom wears the primary flower in his bride’s bouquet for this same purpose.  Awww.

Bridesmaids - The bride’s best friends would dress the same as the bride to fool any “evil spirits” out to prevent the wedding.  And you thought your girls were just there for the party!

Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold - The Romans started this one, and no one seems to agree about the meaning.  Some say carrying the bride inside prevents the unwilling virgin from escaping the consummation of her marriage.  Others say the groom steps inside first to show that he rules the household.  (As if!)  Still others say it’s to prevent bad luck to the bride if she should trip.

Are you including any unusual traditions or superstitions in your wedding day?  Leave a comment.