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These
words are taken from an old English rhyme. Meanings of this
phrase may vary, but this is the one we like,
Something
old and borrowed represents past traditions.
Something new will bring you luck in the future.
Something blue is a symbol of fertility and modesty.
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| RICE |
Your guests
throw rice at you because rice symbolizes fertility. Whatever
your guest chooses to throw on you can represent that they are
showering you with the good things in life. In Asia throwing rice
symbolizes a "full pantry".
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| ENGAGEMENT
RINGS |
The original
purpose for an engagement ring was a sign that a woman was purchased
and belonged to the groom-to-be. The first people to use rings
in a romantic way were the French. In the sixteenth century they
used gimmal rings. These rings are intertwined, but had a little
slit in the gold so that during the engagement each person wore
one of the rings. On the wedding day the groom would take his
ring off and give it to his bride and that was her wedding band
(the two rings together).
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| WEDDING
RINGS |
The wedding
band itself has always symbolized love, right from ancient Egyptian
times. The ring is placed on the third finger of the left hand
because it's believed that one vein from the finger runs straight
to your heart.
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| WEDDING
PARTY |
Ancient Romans
believed that jealous demons where out to get the married couple.
That's why we have bridesmaids and groomsmen, for protection.
The wedding party would all dress similar to the wedded couple
so that the demons couldn't tell who was getting married.
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| THRESHOLD |
The Romans
also carried the bride over the threshold so that the demons couldn't
trip her and spoil her day.
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| HONEYMOON |
Brides used
to be captured and held hostage until her family called off the
search. A friend of the groom had the job of fending off and stalling
the bride's family until their escape, that's where the bestman
started. The term "honeymoon" comes from the time that
followed the capture. The bride and groom would hide for 30 days
(one full moon) and drink mead. Mead is made from fermented honey
and water, which is still used today to toast the happy couple.
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| GARTER
TOSSING |
This is an
old British ritual called "flinging the stocking". After
the couple was married the guests would rush into the couple's
bedroom and take their stocking, and the first guest to throw
the stocking and hit either the bride or groom on the nose was
the next to wed.
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| DECORATING
THE VEHICLES |
The noise
from the cans dragging on the ground is meant to chase away evil
spirits. Tying shoes to the car comes from an Irish ritual. Way
back when, a bride would give the groom one of her slippers. This
symbolizes the fact that he would take care of her now and not
her father.
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| VEILS |
Veils were
not always made of tulle. They used to be made of a heavier cloth
so that if any other man was in love with her he wouldn't try
to kidnap her on her wedding day, because no one could see who
was under the veil.
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| WHITE |
Yes, you're
right, it means purity, but the colour also symbolizes celebration.
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| HANDKERCHIEF |
The tears
of a bride are good luck and must be caught. Farmers used to think
that if a bride cried, there would be rain to water the crops.
Also, it is said that if you cry on your wedding day, you'll never
have a reason to cry in your marriage.
|
| STEPPING
ON THE GLASS |
We have heard
many different meanings to this one. Here's the origin of why
a Jewish groom steps on a wine glass wrapped in cloth. This ritual
symbolizes the destruction of The Holy Temple in Jerusalum and
that even during a festive ceremony a Jew can never forget all
the hardships his ancestors had to bare.
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| WEDDING
CAKE |
In early
times, a loaf of bread was broken over the bride's head and the
guests would scrammble to pick up the crumbs for good luck. Later
on it was tradition that the couple kiss over a pail of cup cakes.
Thank God none of us have to get cracked in the head with bread.
Pieces of wedding cake are packaged and sent home with your guests
so that they can bring home a piece of your good fortune. It is
said that any single woman who puts a piece of the groom's cake
under her pillow will see the face of her future husband in her
dreams.
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| RED
SLIPPER |
|
When a red
slipper is placed on the roof of a house, it means that a honeymoon
is taking place, so stay away!
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| COLOURS |
|
Married
in white, you have it right
Married in blue, your love is true
Married in pink, your fortune will stink
Married in green, you'll never be seen
Married in red, you'll wish you were dead
Married in yellow, ashamed of your fellow
Married in brown, you'll live out of town
Married in gray, you'll live far away
Married in black, you'll wish you were back
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| REPRESENTATION
OF EACH DAY OF THE WEEK |
Monday -
Health
Tuesday - Wealth
Wednesday - The Best Day
Thursday - Brings Crosses
Friday - Losses
Saturday - No Luck At All
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| And to think,
everyone gets married on the weekend. Hope you enjoyed these tried
and true traditions. |
