Traditional wedding trends have a remarkable way of enduring through time, even as new trends emerge and evolve. Many of these customs have deep roots in history and continue to be cherished parts of wedding celebrations around the world today. But, why do we do them and what do they mean.
Wedding have often had many rules and traditional that might not make much sense is a modern-day wedding, but many brides tend to stay with them. Tossing the boutique used the be an 18th century tradition, to bestow luck on the single women at the event. Single women were desperate to catch the bouquet as marriage was the only way to bring a woman and her family out of poverty, meaning it was seen more as a necessity, rather than a romantic act. But many brides still do it now, even thou the meaning have changed. Now single women do it for fun.
Many brides hold into these traditions to feel closer to family and the idea of marriage. Many of these trends have been around for hundreds of years and have no sign of going away any time soon.
No matter the reason that you may want to incorporate some of these into your wedding here a little more information on how.
Here are some traditional wedding trends that are still commonly used:
- White Wedding Dress: The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress like Robyn became popular after Queen Victoria wore one at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. This trend symbolises purity and innocence and has become a staple in many Western weddings. Many bride have traded in the “White dress” for Ivory, and the colour is warner and less stark on the skin, thou some brides still like the pure white colour on their wedding day especially if it’s a winter wedding.
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- Exchanging of Rings: This tradition dates back to ancient Egypt, where rings were exchanged as a symbol of eternity due to the circle's never-ending shape. Rings are typically worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that this finger contained a vein that led directly to the heart.
- Bouquet and Garter Toss: These customs have evolved over time. Originally, the bouquet toss was believed to bring luck to the unmarried woman who caught it. The garter toss is a playful tradition where the groom removes the garter from the bride’s leg and tosses it to the unmarried men, with the catcher supposedly being the next to marry.
- Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue: This Victorian-era rhyme outlines items a bride should carry for good luck. "Something old" symbolizes continuity with the past; "something new" offers optimism for the future; "something borrowed" represents borrowed happiness; and "something blue" denotes fidelity and love.
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- The Wedding Cake: The tradition of a wedding cake goes back to ancient Rome, where bread was broken over the bride's head to bring good fortune to the couple. Over time, this evolved into the multi-tiered wedding cakes we see today, which symbolize abundance and prosperity.
- First Dance: Originating from the formal balls where the guest of honour (often a member of royalty) would open the dancing, the first dance of a married couple has become a focal point of modern weddings, representing the couple’s unity and shared journey.
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- Father Walking the Bride Down the Aisle: This custom has its origins in the times when marriages were seen as business arrangements, and the bride was essentially being "given away" by her family to form an alliance with another family. Today, it's often viewed as a way for the bride to honour her relationship with her father or another significant family member.
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- Wedding Vows: The recitation of vows dates back to medieval England when couples would speak promises to each other during the ceremony. This has remained a central and profound element of the wedding ceremony, whether couples choose traditional vows or write their own.
- Wedding Toasts: Toasts are a way to honour the newly married couple, with speeches typically given by the best man, maid of honour, parents, or even the couples themselves. They offer a moment to celebrate the couple with personal stories, well-wishes, and blessings.
These traditional trends continue to play significant roles in weddings today, often cherished for their symbolism and the connection they offer to past generations. Many of these traditions can be updated for your wedding but its nide to look back on where they came from and learn how you can incorporate them into your wedding day.
We hope that this blog has given you the inspiration needed.
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