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Preparations for the day
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The following saying dates back to the Victorian era- 'something old,
something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe':
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Something Old:
Symbolising the continuity between the family of the bride and the past. The bride quite often chooses to wear her mother's or grandmother's wedding dress or an item of family jewellery.
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Something New:
Representing success,hope and optimism in the bride's new life ahead. The new item is commonly the wedding dress.
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Something Borrowed:
A reminder to the bride that she can always depend on her family and friends. This is often an item from a happily married friend or member of family e.g. a lace handkerchief or piece of jewellery.
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Something Blue:
In ancient times blue represented purity, love and modesty. A popular choice of a blue item nowadays is the bride's garter.
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A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe is to wish the bride wealth, happiness and financial security.
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The Ceremony
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Wedding Veil:
The wedding veil symbolises virginity, modesty and privacy and was said to warn off any evil spirits. Another reason behind wearing a veil is that during the period of arranged marriages, the bride's face would be covered
until the groom had commited to the marriage.
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Where to stand:
During the wedding ceremony, the bride traditionally stands to the left of the groom. This dates back to when the groom captured his bride, he positioned her to his left, alllowing his right hand (sword hand) to be free, protecting her against any sudden attacks.
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Immediate
celebrations
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Confetti:
Traditionally rice was thrown at the bride and groom to encourage fertility. Also a myth from the Orient is that rice represented a full pantry, so by throwing a handful at the couple demonstrated wishes of prosperity for the bride and groom. Rice in modern times has been replaced with confetti.
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Wedding bouquet:
Introduced in America; the person who is lucky enough to catch the bouquet will be the next person to be wedded.
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Wearing pearls:
Pearls generally represent tears and wearing them has spurred off two contrasting myths. The negative myth is that they represent future tears. However on a good note, some say that they replace the bride’s tears and she will live a happy wedded life of no tears!
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Dropping the wedding ring:
This has also impelled contrasting myths. Some believe that dropping the ring at the ceremony to be a positive thing, as it gets rid of any evil spirits. The downbeat myth is that the person who drops the ring will be the first to pass away.
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Time of day to get married:
It is considered good luck for the couple to exchange vows when the minute hand of the clock is upwards and “ascending towards heaven”.
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Seeing the bride:
For good luck the groom should not see the wedding dress before the big day. For even greater luck, the groom should not even glimpse at the dress as the bride comes down the aisle.
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The Guests
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Wedding gifts:
Guests now bring wedding gifts, replacing the custom of bringing fruits, which encouraged fertility.
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Favours:
Traditionally guests were given favours to share the joy of the day and give them something as a reminder. Today, in Modern times, favours are often in the form of 5 sugar coated almonds symbolising health, wealth, fertility, happiness and long-life.
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After the ceremony
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The threshold:
Carrying the bride over the threshold is associated with protecting her from any evil spirits that may
be present in the new home.
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