If you are a pretty superstitious person, then you may know about the history of some common wedding superstitions. The most common wedding traditions that we have today come from old superstitions. You may already be observing some of these customs, but if not, you could always add a bit of fun to your wedding celebration by adding them into it. Everyone could always use some extra luck when it comes to love, but it does not matter if you believe in these or not. You could find it interesting enough to know why we do the things we do at weddings.
Rain on Your Wedding Day
Even though less than perfect weather can happen and kind of spoil your day, do not see it as a bad thing. Rain during your wedding is said to bring fertility and good luck.
Leave the Spider Alone
If you happen to have a spider on your wedding dress, then know that it came as a blessing. Spiders are considered very lucky if you find them in your home, too, as they are said to bring prosperity.
Old, New, Borrowed, Blue and a Sixpence
You may not know the full rhyme that comes from England during the Victorian era. It goes, Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue and a sixpence in her shoe. If the bride has all of this on her big day, then the happy couple will be guaranteed to have good luck in their relationship. However, where does the odd mixture come from? Something old is a tribute to the past, and Something new is for the future of the couple. Something borrowed is supposed to come from someone who is happily married as good luck. Something blue is for fidelity, and the sixpence was given to the bride from the father for prosperity.
Don’t Give Knives
When it comes to a gift registry, do not add a knife set. When a newlywed couple gets knives for their wedding, then it will lead to a broken relationship.
No Pearls
Natural pearls are shaped like teardrops, and they are said to bring tears and sadness to the bride. That is very much true if there is a pearl on the wedding ring or engagement ring. Maybe this started to sell more expensive gems, but superstition is ancient in many Latino cultures.
Put a Veil On
The practice of wearing a veil began sometime during the Ancient Greek and Roman periods to protect the bride from any evil spirits that would follow the couple. There are even some cultures that will wear bright colors such as red and flame-colored ones to protect themselves.
No Saturday Weddings
Even though Saturday is modern-day to get married, it is the worst day to get married. As Saturday usually has the highest cost for getting married, you can use this as an excuse to select a more reasonable date. Take advantage of health on Monday or wealth on Tuesday instead. On Wednesday, however, you’ll have the best luck and find the best prices!
June is also a great month for getting married, being named after the Roman god of marriage. Do you want to know what the worst month has been? It’s May, strangely enough. However, it is unclear how true this statement is as many happy couples have gotten married in that month.
Say No to Nuns
Even though it seems odd, seeing a nun or monk on your way to a wedding is a bad sign. Those signs predict future poverty and infertility. While it might appear strange, you will often see a couple getting married in churches, where anyone could end up running into a monk or nun.
Bridesmaids are Important
The Romans used bridesmaids to confuse evil spirits and hide the real bride from view. That’s why they’re all traditionally dressed the same, and the style ideally matches that of the bride. However, you’re probably not going to worry about superstitions since a squad doesn’t require any.
Green is Not Your Friend
Despite being a trend in 2020, green wedding dresses were initially deemed a bad choice. A green wedding is considered unlucky. Brides are expected to take this risk for fashion, so it will be interesting to see how many do.
Don’t Look
Some believe that seeing your spouse before the wedding brings bad luck, but that’s completely false. Due to arranged marriages when they were more common, the rumor was spread to prevent cold feet. These traditions can be omitted for those un-superstitious couples, but most couples keep them as a way to help build anticipation right before their wedding.
Carry Me
When you see a husband carry his bride through the door of their home is one of the most romantic things that we see in movies. However, where did this tradition come from? Hundreds of years ago, it was believed that evil spirits could sneak into the couple’s new home via the bride’s feet. You can always use this as a good excuse for a memorable moment.
South African Fire Bringers
It is a tradition where the bride and groom’s parents light the fire in the newlywed couple’s home by bringing embers from their childhood homes. Their goal is to bring good luck to their hearth and to mark the start of a new chapter in their marriage.
Ring the Bell
It is tradition for bells to be rung at an Irish wedding to ward off evil spirits and to ensure a harmonious marriage and family life for the happy couple. Many brides even carry a bell inside their bouquet to symbolize their sacred commitment. This is also the reason why brides and grooms often receive bells as gifts.
If you don’t believe in superstitions or think it is pish-posh, I think it’s interesting to learn about the origins and meanings of wedding superstitions.
Whatever your beliefs, we wish you happiness and joy on your big day (and forever after)!
