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Wedding Symbolism
Origins of some of our wedding traditions

The Wedding Ring

 Traditionally a plain, gold band, is the oldest surviving symbol of marriage. The circle represents eternity and never-ending love, while the gold represents purity of intent. It is placed on the fourth finger of the left-hand as it was believed that a vein called the Vena Amoris ran straight from it to the heart.

The Garter

 The throwing of the Garter by the groom to unmarried men and the Bouquet by the bride to unmarried girls is believed to bring good luck and marriage to whomever they are caught by.

The White Wedding Dress

 The conventional white Dress is said to be a sign of purity and high virtues. Green signifies youth, hope and happiness. Red denotes vigour, courage and passion, while violet symbolises dignity, pride and high ideals.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

Something Old could be a piece of jewellery or something from a happily married woman as a blessing of matrimonial bliss. This represents the married woman's links with her family and her past.

Something New depicts the new life that the bride is starting - usually this is her dress or shoes.

Something Borrowed is to remind the bride of the need to rely on others for help. This is normally gold, representing the sun, the source of life.

Something Blue, usually the garter, denotes faithfulness and is a compliment to the moon, protector of women.

Honeymoon

 Honeymoon - about 4000 years ago in Babylon it was the accepted practise that after a wedding the bride's father would supply his new son-in-law with all the beer he could drink for a month. The beer, called mead, was a honey-based beer, and because the Babylonian calendar was lunar-based the period became known as the honey month, or as we know it today, the honeymoon.

Wedding Bells

Ringing of the wedding bells after the ceremony. This was meant to scare away the evil spirits that could destroy the couple's happiness.

Bridal Bouquets

The Bridal Bouquets. In ancient times, the first bridal bouquets were made of not only flowers but special herbs and spices. This was done to ward off the evil spirits. They also used particular herbs that symbolized fertility.

Throwing Rice (Confetti)

 Throwing rice (or birdseed) as the couple departs. The birdseed was thrown to promote fertility.

Cutting the Cake

Bride and groom cut the cake and then feed each other. Feeding each other the cake symbolizes how the couple will "feed" and nourish the relationship for the rest of their lives. Now, this was meant as loving and caring symbol for each other. As for the "smearing" and pushing cake into each other's faces? No one knows how that started... Hopefully, that's a "tradition" that will die out!

Giving Almonds

 Giving almonds at a wedding symbolises the bitter and sweet aspect of married life. The five almonds represent Love, Happiness, Loyalty, Prosperity and Virility.

Nine sips of sake

Did you Know, in Japan, the bridal couple takes nine sips of sake, taking care to put down the cup at the exact same moment. Tradition has it that the partner whose cup hits the table last will be the first to die. So much for happily ever after ...

The Receiving Line

The Receiving Line - In ancient times, it was believed that the bride and groom were blessed. Those who touched them would have good luck.