You know, wedding traditions have been around for ages, and we often follow them without really knowing why. Let's dive into the stories behind these customs. Who knows? You might find some cool ideas to keep or maybe even ditch for your special day!
A - Arrival of the Bride
Did you know that the bride usually arrives on her dad’s right arm? Turns out, back in the day, this was to keep him from using his sword arm to attack the groom! Wild, right?
B - Bridesmaids
Fun fact: Bridesmaids originally dressed just like the bride to confuse and ward off evil spirits. How cool is that?
C - Confetti
Did you know that the tradition of throwing confetti started in Italy? It’s all about showering the newlyweds with wishes for prosperity and fertility. How sweet is that?
D - Dance
Everyone always looks forward to the bride and groom's first dance! It's such a beautiful moment that shows their love and unity. This dance is all about the harmony between them and expressing their endless love for each other.
E - Engagement ring
Ever wondered why we wear engagement rings on the left hand? It goes all the way back to ancient Rome! The Romans believed that the ring finger on the left hand had a vein that connected straight to the heart, which they called the 'vein of love.' How romantic is that ?
F - Favours
Did you know that giving out 5 sugared almonds to guests was an old tradition symbolizing health, happiness, wealth, fertility, and long life ? Some folks still keep this sweet custom alive, but nowadays, there are tons of creative favor ideas to fit any budget and style!
G - Groomsmen
These days, groomsmen are usually the groom's closest friends and family, there to support him on his big day. But did you know their role was totally different in the old "wedding by capture" days ? Back then, the groom would gather his buddies to help him kidnap his bride-to-be, fighting off her angry family until they got away safely. Quite the adventure compared to their roles today !
H - Honeymoon
This one's another throwback to the "wedding by capture" era, especially when bride abductions were more like staged events. In Norse traditions, after the wedding, the bride and groom would hide out for 30 days. A friend or family member would bring them a cup of honey wine daily during this time, which is how the term "honeymoon" came about.
I - Invitations
Back in the Middle Ages, weddings were announced by the town crier, and anyone who heard automatically joined the party. Thankfully, these days, you get to invite who you want instead of feeding a bunch of strangers ! You also have to wonder, how did they decide how many people to cater for ?
J - Jewellery
It's been a long-standing tradition for brides to wear their mother’s or grandmother’s pearls and grooms to sport their father’s or grandfather’s pocket watch. Such a lovely way to keep family close on your special day !
K - Keepsakes
When the first bottle of champagne is popped, it's tradition to present the cork to the bride and groom with a coin from the year of their marriage embedded in it. Such a sweet keepsake to remember their special day.
L - Lighting Candles
A newer tradition that's really touching is lighting candles during your wedding ceremony to remember loved ones. It's such a beautiful way to keep their memory alive on your big day.
M - Maid Of Honour
The maid of honor has a big job! She’s the leader of the bridesmaids, keeping everything organized. Usually, she takes charge of planning the hen party and, on the wedding day, helps the bride get dressed and stay calm.
N - Non-Traditional Wedding Ceremonies
These days, celebrants are a popular choice for couples looking for a less traditional ceremony with the freedom to hold it anywhere they like. Often, couples will handle the legal part in a registry office with just their witnesses, and then have a full celebrant-led ceremony that includes all the special touches that aren’t usually possible with a registrar-led wedding.
O - Order of Service
For a church wedding, you'll usually need an Order of Service. It includes the words to any hymns or prayers that are part of your ceremony, making sure everyone can follow along and join in.
P - Photography
Cameras have come a long way since they were first invented, and as photographers, we couldn't leave ourselves out of this exciting journey! Capturing your wedding day is one of the best ways to preserve those memories for a lifetime. Including an album in your photography package transforms those moments into a beautiful heirloom to pass down through generations.
Q - Quirky Ideas
These days, couples are getting super creative with their weddings! Some are writing cute messages to each other on the soles of their shoes, while others are including their fur babies in the celebrations. The possibilities are endless.
R - Receiving Line
This tradition isn't as popular as it used to be because it can take up so much time on the wedding day. Nowadays, many couples prefer to visit each table at the reception and chat with their guests instead. It's also a fantastic way to make sure you get photos with everyone if your photographer tags along.
S - Speeches
Wedding speeches are often a mix of laughter and tears. Traditionally, they're given after the wedding breakfast, but many couples now choose to have them before the meal. This way, the speakers can get them out of the way and have less time to feel nervous.
T - Table Plans
There are tons of fun and creative ways to display your table plan, and it's a tradition that's definitely worth keeping. It helps save your guests from wandering around trying to find their seats.
U - Ushers
The ushers have a big job at the ceremony. Their main tasks are to direct and seat guests. At a more formal celebration, they’ll escort guests to their seats, offering an arm to female guests, especially those arriving alone, and leading male guests or couples to the next available spot.
V - Veil
The wedding veil likely started as a way to ward off evil and protect the bride’s purity. The idea was that the bride was vulnerable to enchantment, so she needed to be hidden from any evil spirits. How fascinating is that ?
W - Wedding Cake
Each tier of the wedding cake has its own special meaning, and the top tier is particularly significant. Traditionally, the bottom tier is enjoyed at the ceremony, the middle tier is shared with guests after the event, and the top tier is saved for the first child’s christening, which often came shortly after the wedding. Since the traditional recipe is fruit cake, which keeps really well, it was perfectly fine to save a slice for a few years after the big day.
X - Kiss
The first kiss as a married couple is often considered the most important and meaningful one you'll share. With family and friends eagerly watching and various traditions or cultural differences to think about, it’s totally normal to feel a bit nervous. We’d definitely recommend practicing your kiss before the big day—it’s a fun tip that’s easy to follow.
Y - You
It's your wedding day, so make it all about you ! Plan it your way and style it to match your dreams, not someone else's. It’s your special day, so let it reflect what you truly want.
Z - zzzzzzzz
And so to bed. Your wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions and excitement, so don’t stress too much about your wedding night. Just so you know, more than half of couples end up going to sleep on their wedding night and don’t get to the consummation part until later.
These are just a few fun traditions you might want to include in your wedding day. But don’t get too caught up in stressing over them—feel free to create new ones that are uniquely yours ! It’s your wedding, so make it just the way you want it.
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