Why is it necessary for the bride to hold flowers?
Why is she hiding her face with that veil?
Who was the first married couple to rig their getaway car with cans tied to the roof?
Because of our long-standing familiarity with these time-honored wedding customs, we no longer inquire about the history that inspired them. If you’d instead continue living your life in complete ignorance, that’s perfectly OK with us. However, for those who enjoy a good ghost story, you will enjoy the stories behind some of the most prevalent wedding traditions. The answer to this question will give you chills, so hang on tight! Today, we will investigate how many wedding traditions developed from the dread of evil spirits.
1. Beautiful Bridesmaids
The bride is the most prominent person to look for at a wedding. She shines from head to toe, making her stand out among the other people. The bridesmaid dresses were a completely different style and color from the bride’s dress; nonetheless, they were created to complement the bride without drawing attention away from her.
Did you know . . . The tradition of having bridesmaids safeguard the bride from evil spirits by dressing up as decoys of the bride and wearing dresses and hairstyles that are identical to the bride’s dates back hundreds of years. It is feared that bad spirits will abduct the bride and take her away on the wedding day.
These days, bridesmaids fulfill a variety of functions, one of which is to safeguard the bride. On the other hand, the primary function of bridesmaids in modern weddings is to support the bride while also having a good time on the wedding day. Lovely!
2. Hiding Happiness
Depending on the bride’s or groom’s culture, the traditional bridal veil might have a lot of weight in terms of symbolism. The wearing of a cover in contemporary rituals represents the passage of a lady from her birth family to the family she will create via marriage. Sometimes, it’s nothing more than a lovely accent on its own.
Did you know that the ancient Romans were the first people to use veils during their wedding ceremonies? They had the belief that happy brides were magnets for malevolent spirits; hence, during the wedding ceremony, the bride would have her face covered with a veil. The function of the veil has changed over the course of time. During earlier periods of history when it was more typical for couples to have their marriages predetermined, the cover served another purpose: it prevented the groom from seeing the bride’s face until the very end of the ceremony.
No matter what your taste in veils may be, there is no denying the fact that they have a deep and significant cultural background. On the day of your wedding, it’s excellent for you to express your happiness, but in case, you might want to cover your face with a veil.
3. A Floral Arrangement That Reeks
The custom of the bride carrying a bouquet of flowers into the ceremony is one of the modern wedding traditions that is observed most frequently. Even while they have taken on a more modern appearance – often containing dried flowers, succulents, or even swords – they are still an integral part of the wedding planning process.
Did you know . . . The ancient Greeks believed that particular varieties of garlic, herbs, and spices had the power to ward off evil spirits; hence, brides would bring these items on their wedding day as an added layer of protection. As time passed, brides started using flowers to cover up the scent of their herbal protections, which is how the custom of carrying a bouquet came to be. Some people believe that the flowers were included in the ceremony to mask the bride’s smell, given that there were fewer opportunities for rain in earlier times.
No matter what you think of this story or whether or not you believe it, one thing is for sure: bridal flowers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon! Instead, it is a lovely custom and accessory you may have for the rest of your life as a memento of this particular time.
4. Casting a Lucky Charm into the Wind
Why do brides toss garters and bouquets to their guests as they leave the reception? It is a common superstition that the person who successfully catches the bouquet or garter will be the next person to tie the knot.
Did you know . . . In medieval times, it was standard practice for people to assume that the wedding attire of newlywed wives brought their husbands luck. Therefore, visitors who were not married would attempt to steal a piece of the bride’s gown after the ceremony, resulting in the dress being torn. There were instances when it went too far, and the custom eventually morphed into something significantly more pleasurable. Every member of the wedding party, including the bride and groom, started tossing an element of their traditional wedding attire into the crowd throughout the ceremony, hoping that someone would catch it and bring them good luck.
5. Noisy Spirit Busters
The practice of fastening cans to the trunk of your getaway car after the wedding is another of our most cherished rites of passage. These cans have a nice appearance and a quirky sense of humor; as a result, they make for an enjoyable and entertaining component of the wedding day. They have not, however, always been the case!
Did you know . . . Once upon a time, newlyweds would strap cans to the back of their getaway automobile, believing that the rattling sound would help fend off evil spirits.
Learn more: How to Keep Flowers Fresh Longer