Many wedding traditions we practice today are linked with
superstitions from long ago. Some of these old customs have fallen out of favor, some have evolved, and some are quite a bit like they were when they were
first established. I’ve written about wedding traditions for years now and have to say I'm surprised at how many customs involved throwing things at the bride and or
groom. Before you read any further, ask yourself, can you
name six wedding customs that involve throwing things?
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| Throwing shoes started back in the Tudor period in England |
1. Throwing bread at the bride
The throwing of bread was practiced in 16thcentury, but before we get to that let’s take a look of how we got there with a
peek back at the Middle Ages. At that time, brides carried or wore wheat ears as a
symbol of fertility, and young girls customarily gathered outside the church to
throw grains of wheat over the bride meant to shower the couple with good
fortune, prosperity, and fertility.
Later, bread was made from wheat flour and
water and was thrown at the bride during the ceremony to encourage fertility.
(In Russia today, wedding bread called karavay
is still a center piece of weddings and is thought to represent fertility.) In 16th-century England, the bride’s bread evolved into small
rectangular cakes made of eggs, milk, sugar, currants, and spices. Makes me
think of something like banana bread with blueberries or something. Anyhow,
each guest had at least one of these little cakes which were thrown at the
bride as she crossed the threshold. The main theme that followed the various
customs involving the throwing of bread are linked to fertility.
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| Today many couples throw biodegradable confetti. |
2. Throwing rice (and other grains)
Throwing rice at newlyweds
is an ancient custom but the throwing of wheat actually predates throwing rice. In
rural parishes of England, when wheat was thrown over the bridal couple the
people would say, "Bread for life, pudding forever." For my readers
who don’t know about “pudding” in English terms, it is their word for dessert. Only
prosperous people had the means to enjoy desserts, so it was a way
of wishing the newlyweds might always be prosperous.
The practice of throwing rice, or oats, or other grains (or
peas for Czech newlyweds) all held the same symbolism. It represented showering
the couple with good fortune, prosperity and fertility. Instead of thinking of
it as “rice” or “oats” the people back then looked at it as life-giving seed and it was a way to wish newly married couples good luck.
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| It was considered good luck to hit the departing carriage with your shoe. |
3. Throwing shoes at the bride and broom
I only recently came upon this tradition when writing about
the origins of wedding
receptions. Throwing shoes at the newlywed couple started back
in the Tudor period in England (1500s). As the bride and groom drove away in
their carriage, wedding guests threw their shoes at them because they believed
it was good luck if you hit the vehicle. Needless to say, as a wedding custom,
throwing shoes is no longer practiced. The custom changed to tying old shoes to the back
of the carriage, which then evolved here in the States to using aluminum cans.
4. Throwing the bouquet
The custom of the bride carrying a flower
bouquet is an interesting one with ancient origins that can be traced back to ancient Rome. Back then brides carried or wore flower garlands because they believed flowers signified new beginnings, fidelity and hope of fertility. By the Middle Ages, instead of flowers, women carried aromatic bunches of garlic, herbs and spices
to ward off evil spirits, bad luck, and sickness. Today, the bouquet represents happiness and satisfaction in marriage. So how did throwing the bouquet come about?
Tossing the bridal bouquet to guests started back in medieval
times. At that time, it was considered good luck for guests to get a piece of the wedding
dress, so guests were eager to go after the bride trying
to rip off bits of her dress. Brides started tossing the bouquet as a distraction
so they could get away with the dress in one piece. Over time, catching the
bouquet became a talisman for good luck to the one who caught it.
5. Tossing the garter
The custom of throwing the garter started in England and
France and came about for the same reason as throwing of the bouquet. In an
effort to distract guests who hoped to tear off a piece of the bride’s dress, the groom
tossed a garter.
6. Throwing money at the bride and groom
In Greece, throwing money around the bride and groom is one
aspect of a dance called the "kalamatiano" or here in the States, the
money
dance. In Nigeria, this tradition is called the "money spray" In Poland,
the money is pinned on the bride during the reception as she dances. The idea
behind this tradition is to help the couple out financially as they start their
life together. In general, money is either thrown, pinned or handed to the
couple while dancing.
Vintage wedding ideas for the modern bride
- While no one wants a loaf of bread tossed at them, wedding bread is rich with symbolism. For a vintage touch, have a special loaf of bride’s bread made for the couple. Just for fun, you might want to include this old custom: Someone holds the loaf and the bride and groom take a bite. Whoever takes the biggest bite will be the head of the household.
- In the Ukraine, after the bride and groom eat the wedding bread, people throw candies and money at them. This tradition represents wishes for financial blessings and abundance.
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