Weddings are proportionate to happiness, cheerful moments and family values. There are around 2.3million couples who get wed every day in the US.

Despite all the modernizations in our lifestyle, weddings are filled with olden day’s traditions. The traditions which initiated centuries ago are still prevalent in present-day weddings.

Let’s discuss some of the olden days wedding rituals followed in modern time.

1. Wearing a Veil

The tradition of wearing a veil started in ancient Rome. Initially, it was used by the brides to depict their purity and modesty.

According to some traditions, it was worn to protect the bride from evil spirits. Brides also wear it to hide their face from the groom till the end of the wedding.

Even today, around 65% of brides wear a veil.

2. Preferring a White Wedding Dress

Not all brides need to wear a white dress, costing around $1,631. But, the majority of brides do wear white.

The tradition dates back to the Roman era, but it becomes a fashion statement around 178 years ago. In 1840 Queen Victoria married Prince Albert; she wore a white dress on her wedding day.

This white dress was an expensive skill decorated with laces and pearls. This was to reflect the royalty and purity of the Queen.

Since then it became a tradition for weddings. Brides still prefer white dresses on their big day. Elizabeth Taylor wore a white dress two times out of her eight weddings.

3. Exchanging Wedding Rings

Another one came from Romans; they believe in a myth that there is a vein in the left hand’s third finger that directly connects with the heart.

Do you also believe that? But health experts have debunked it. There is no such vein that directly reaches the heart. But it becomes a tradition since then, and people are still following it.

Around 35% of couples invest three months or more in searching for a wedding ring.

4. Eating Wedding Cake

It is kind of a fun fact that traditionally cakes were thrown or crushed over the bride’s head. It was considered a symbol of fertility for the bride.

Though bakers were not happy with that tradition, they started baking small sweet and creamy cakes that were eatable.

Luckily, the crushing cake tradition ended, and people started serving it as an essential sweet dish at the wedding.

5. Shouting Mazel Tov

The whole Jewish wedding is performed traditionally. Though, the tradition I like the most is the glass breaking.

At the end of the wedding, the groom crushes a glass from his feet. This symbolizes the destruction of a temple in Jerusalem, or it is a reminder that joy must be tempered.

Soon with the glass crushing, guests shout ‘Mazel Tov’, which means good luck.

6. Throwing a Wedding Party

The average cost of a wedding is around $29,000. What are worth these expenses are the lovable memories.

The wedding party is still the same as the traditional one. The bridesmaids wear the same dresses as a bride to confuse evil spirits. This tradition is still alive with little alterations.

The best man was there to guard the bride from enemies and rivalry attacks. In recent time he is the best friend or brother of the groom.

7. Decorating bride with Henna

We all have heard about henna tattoo. The tradition of making beautiful tattoos on the bride’s hand and foot dates back to the 12th century.

The birthplace of tradition in India; though, many other South-Asian countries adopt the tradition.

The temporary dye use in the tattoo is extracted from a tree which gives dark brown to bright red color. It symbolizes joy, spiritual awakening, and beauty. If it happens that you have a tattoo you want to remove prior to your big day, you may want to consider tattoo removal Sydney or anywhere near you to give space to this artistic tradition.

8. Releasing White Doves

White Doves are symbolized as a sing of innocence, holiness and fidelity. Almost every ancient culture in the world has a similar depiction of Dove.

Traditionally it was gifted by the bride to groom as a sign of love and harmony. Today, they are released on the wedding day as a sign of independence and joy.

The modern tradition started in the Philippines.

9. Tossing Bouquet

This English tradition was not always the same. Traditionally it was a little different.

Single ladies at the wedding try to tear a patch of cloth from the bride’s dress as a good luck sign.

But ladies, girls love their wedding dress in modern times as much they like to buy coursework UK. Therefore, a bouquet is tossed in the air for single ladies.

10. Jumping Over Broom

Traditionally African slaves in the European region were not permitted to get married, so they jump over the broom to announce their union.

In recent times this ritual is performed in African-American weddings showing their connection with their roots.

11. Tying Cans to Car

The tradition is originally originated in France and was originally called ‘Charivari’. It was performed during a party thrown for the couple before the wedding night.

Neighbors and relative came out on the village street and beat their pans and pots hard to scare away the evil spirits. This is transformed into tying cans on a car bumper as it makes a similar noise.

12. Handfasting

I love this tradition; it was initiated in Roman times. They use to tie the bride and groom’s hand, and the couple cannot open it until the marriage is officially over.

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This tradition was rapidly adopted by different cultures and is still in practice in different parts of the world.

13. Flower Girl

We all love cute adorable kids walking and throwing flowers. These were traditionally not flowers; they were wheat sheaths. Virgin girls bring wheat sheaths for the couple as a sign of good fortune and wellbeing. Wheat sheaths replaced the flowers, but the tradition still exists.

14. Wear Something Blue

All over the globe, white is considered to be the symbol or piousness and purity. But in Christianity, it is blue, which is a symbol of purity.

Since the early days of religion, color is associated with the purity and wellbeing of women. It is generally linked to the Virgin Mary, who is often depicted wearing a blue robe. Brides, in many cultures, are still forced to wear something blue.

15. Bridal Bouquet

The bridal bouquets were not originally made from flowers. I mean, not the pleasant one. They were prepared from smelly herbs that usually have a sharp and sore smell to scare away the evil spirits.

Gradually, the smelly herbs were replaced by beautiful flowers.

Wedding Traditions that Vanish

Wedding rituals and customs are lovable. But this was not always the case. Many wedding traditions get vanished with time. Over the years, modern couples have embraced unique and personalized ways to celebrate their union, often redefining age-old practices. Despite some traditions fading away, new ones emerge, often revolving around fun activities during wedding planning, such as creating DIY decorations or organizing themed pre-wedding events. These creative touches bring families and friends together, making the journey to the big day even more memorable.

These traditions are no longer performed due to lifestyle changes and other reasons. See the following rituals that disappeared;

  • In the ancient era bride’s father was the sole responsible for bearing all the expenses of the wedding. This tradition is still prevalent in some areas of the world.
  • Only men were allowed to make toast on a wedding day.
  • The wedding ring can have only one jewel.
  • Couples have to bury an alcohol bottle at the wedding site a month before for having a sunny day on their wedding date.

Summing it up

Many wedding traditions date back to the Roman era. These traditions are still present in modern times that are core wedding events and give life to the event. Among all of those mentioned above, I love the bouquet tossing and best assignment writing service UK.