Why Do Grooms Wear Boutonnieres? The History and Meaning Behind the Tradition

When you picture a groom on his wedding day, one classic detail often stands out. A small, elegant flower pinned to his lapel. This floral decoration, known as a boutonniere, might seem like just a pretty accessory, but it carries a rich history and meaningful symbolism that dates back centuries.

 

What Is a Boutonniere?

A boutonniere (pronounced boo-ton-yehr) is a small floral arrangement, typically worn on the left lapel of a suit or tuxedo. Traditionally, it’s worn by the groom, his groomsmen, and sometimes close family members or honored guests. Though modest in size, the boutonniere holds a big place in wedding traditions worldwide.

 

Serwalin Champagne Rose Corsage and Boutonniere Set

Ancient Origins: Flowers as Symbols of Protection and Love

Roots of the boutonniere tradition stretch as far back as ancient civilizations. Warriors and soldiers often adorned themselves with herbs, flowers, or sprigs believed to ward off evil spirits and protect them in battle. These floral tokens were seen as charms of good luck and courage.

 

Medieval Romance: Wearing the Lady’s Colors

By medieval times, the boutonniere took on a more romantic meaning. Knights would wear their beloved’s chosen flower or colors pinned to their armor or clothing before heading into battle. This act was a public display of devotion and a way to keep their love close, even amid conflict.

From Battlefields to Ballrooms: The Wedding Tradition Emerges

As warfare gave way to courtship and celebration, the boutonniere evolved into a decorative accessory for formal occasions, especially weddings. By the 19th and 20th centuries, wearing a boutonniere became a refined way for the groom to signify his special role and connection to the bride.

 

Modern Boutonnieres: Style, Symbolism, and Unity

Today, boutonnieres are carefully selected to complement the wedding’s color palette and floral arrangements. Often, the groom’s boutonniere echoes elements of the bride’s bouquet, symbolizing their unity and shared journey. Beyond tradition, it’s also a stylish detail that adds a touch of elegance and personality to the groom’s attire.

 

The next time you see a groom sporting a boutonniere, you’ll know there’s more to that little flower than meets the eye. It’s a living tradition—rooted in history, romance, and symbolism—that continues to bloom beautifully on weddings everywhere.

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Sparta’s Unique Marriage Traditions

When people think of ancient Sparta, images of warriors, strict discipline, and military training usually come to mind. But what about the women? Specifically, the brides of Sparta? Marriage in ancient Sparta was unlike that in any other part of Greece, and the role of a Spartan bride offers fascinating insights into the values and priorities of this unique society.

 

Brides in Sparta Married Later

In contrast to Athenian girls, who often married as young as 12, Spartan brides typically married in their late teens or early twenties. This was intentional. Spartans believed that healthy, physically mature women would produce stronger, healthier children, especially the warriors Sparta depended on for survival.

From childhood, Spartan girls trained physically alongside boys. They ran, wrestled, danced, and competed, building strong bodies and confidence. This training prepared them not only for motherhood but also for the respected role they would hold in society.

 

 

The Unusual Wedding Ritual

Spartan marriage customs were strikingly different from the rest of Greece. Ancient Spartan weddings involved a ritualized "abduction." With her family’s consent, the bride would be taken away by her groom. Before their first night together, her hair was cut short, and she was dressed in men’s clothing or a simple cloak. She would wait in a darkened room, and her husband, who continued to live in the communal military barracks until age 30 would visit her in secret.

This ritual symbolized her transition from maidenhood to wife. It also reflected the Spartan emphasis on discipline, simplicity, and symbolic transformation.

 

Life as a Spartan Bride and Wife

Becoming a bride in Sparta meant gaining significant independence compared to women in other Greek city-states:

• Household Authority: With men constantly engaged in military life, Spartan wives managed households, estates, and finances.
• Land Ownership: Women could own and inherit property, and by some accounts, Spartan women controlled nearly half the land at certain points in history.
• Respected Role: A Spartan bride’s primary responsibility was to bear strong children, but she was also expected to speak her mind and uphold Spartan values. Unlike the secluded wives of Athens, Spartan women were visible and influential.

 

The Legacy of Spartan Brides

Spartan brides symbolized the society’s priorities: strength, discipline, and service to the state. They were not passive figures but respected participants in the communal life of Sparta. Ancient writers often commented on their confidence and boldness, sometimes with admiration, sometimes with criticism. In Sayings of Spartan Women, Plutarch includes several instances of their frankness, known as parrhēsia. While sometimes presented positively, he also expresses unease when women speak on matters seen as outside their domain.

Ultimately, to be a Spartan bride was to step into a role that carried both duty and power. In a society built on warriors, the women who raised them were central to Sparta’s identity and survival.

Photo Credits: picryl 

 

Why Do Newlyweds Tie Tin Cans to a Just Married Car?

Have you ever seen a “Just Married” car clattering away with tin cans bouncing behind it? I used to think this tradition started as a prank so the bride and groom couldn't make a quiet getaway, but that is not the case. It wasn't just for laughs. Turns out that, like most traditions, this quirky wedding tradition has a long and fascinating history.

 

A Noisy Beginning: Charivari and Old-World Customs

The roots of this tradition go way back to Europe. In France, they had a custom called charivari (also known as “shivaree”). After a wedding, neighbors would gather outside the newlyweds’ home, banging pots and pans late into the night. It was loud, chaotic, and meant to celebrate the couple, but also to scare away evil spirits that might bring bad luck to the marriage.

Over in Tudor England, there was another unusual custom: throwing shoes at the couple’s carriage. Believe it or not, it was a playful, slightly chaotic gesture meant to usher in luck if the shoe hit! Thankfully, that one faded out, but the idea of sending the couple off with a noisy, symbolic farewell stuck around.

 

Why All the Noise?

In many cultures, noise has long been seen as a way to ward off evil spirits. Weddings were seen as vulnerable moments where bad luck might try to sneak in, so communities did their part to keep the couple safe—with a whole lot of racket.

But noise wasn’t just about superstition. It was also about joy, fertility, and letting the world know that something worth celebrating had just happened.

 

From Carriages to Cars

As transportation changed, so did the tradition. Horse-drawn carriages gave way to automobiles, and instead of banging pots and pans outside a house, people started attaching objects that would clatter as the couple drove away. Tin cans were cheap, easy to find, and perfectly noisy—the ideal solution. And sometimes a shoe or two is still added to the mix.

And just like that, the “Just Married” car we know today was born.

 

What It Means Today

These days, tying tin cans to the back of a wedding car is less about superstition and more about fun. It’s a playful way to say, Hey world, we’re married!

Some couples stick to the classic cans, while others swap them out for ribbons, bells, or eco-friendly alternatives. No matter the variation, the tradition carries the same spirit: sending the couple off into married life with joy, laughter, and maybe a little extra good luck.

 

A Tradition Worth Keeping?

Whether you love the nostalgia of rattling tin cans or prefer a modern twist, the meaning behind the tradition is the same. It’s about celebrating loudly, boldly, and together.

So the next time you see a car clattering down the road with a “Just Married” sign and a string of cans, you’ll know it’s more than just noise—it’s history, love, and joy on wheels.

 

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