Saturday, September 26, 2015

10 wedding traditions and superstitions for good luck

Threads of superstitions entwine many wedding traditions in America. Think about it. Why else do we say, the groom shouldn't see the bride before the wedding, or why wear something old, something new, something borrowed,and something blue? Many wedding traditions are tied to good luck or avoiding bad luck. For instance, rain on your wedding day is thought to bring good luck.

Tony Curtis carries new bride Janet Leigh over the threshhold, 4 June 1951.

Why carry the bride over threshold?

Carrying the bride over the threshold is thought to bring luck to the newlywed's union, but it didn't start out that way. This tradition started in ancient Rome where the bride had to show she didn't want to leave her father's home, and so she was dragged across the threshold into the groom's home. This practice combined with the ancient belief that evil spirits hovered at the threshold to the new home waiting to curse the couple, started the practice of carrying the bride over the threshold. Why? So the spirits couldn't enter the bride body through the soles of her feet. It was a way to turn a "curse" into a "blessing" or bad luck into good. (Though it does leave one wondering whey they didn't worry about the spirits entering the groom).

Spider on your wedding dress? Don't freak out. It's good luck.

9 more wedding traditions for luck

Other superstitions thought to bring luck included the bride placing a cube of sugar in her glove on her wedding day to sweeten the union. (I wonder if eating sugar on your wedding day could work? I mean just eat some wedding cake, right?)

And if you see a spider on your wedding dress, celebrate! That's supposed to mean good luck! (Uh, yeah, good luck with that. If I see a spider it's never good. I'd rather go with the superstition that a lady bug brings good luck).

According to English tradition and lore, when it comes to luck the best day of the week to get married is Wednesday and the worst day is Saturday. (Maybe that explains the high divorce rate these days! Saturday is now the most popular day to tie the knot).

And on the gross side of traditions, the ancient Romans studied pig entrails to decide the luckiest time to marry.
Throwing oats, grains, dried corn, (for Czech newlyweds it was peas), and eventually why we throw rice or birdseed, was meant to shower the couple with good fortune, prosperity, and fertility.

Egyptian brides are pinched for good luck.

Middle Eastern brides paint their hands and feet with henna (a beautiful tradition) thought to protect from the evil eye.

A Swedish wedding tradition includes coins in shoes. The bride slips a silver coin from her father in one shoe and a gold coin from her mother in the other. This is to ensure she will never have to do without.

In Holland, a pine tree is planted outside the home of the newly married couple as a symbol of luck and fertility.

Many of these wedding traditions are now practiced in America but most people have no clue why. Now you do. Do you have a wedding tradition you'd like to know more about? If so let me know.

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Photo credits: yehyehgrace , pexels, wikimedia

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Gimmel rings

The origin of gimmel rings (also known as gimmal or puzzle rings) is not certain, but they began to appear in the 1600s with designs like clasped hands incorporated into interlocking rings. If a third ring was added to the puzzle, it often bore a heart which fit into the clasped hands, very similar to Ireland's claddagh ring. However, gimmel rings were most popular in Germany and England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Lore behind gimmel rings
The lore surrounding the ring is that in ancient times, a Turkish nobleman who loved his wife very much wanted to be sure she remained true to him while he was away. He asked the local jeweler to fashion a puzzle ring that would fall apart if it was removed,. It is said he gave her the ring but wouldn't tell her the solution. For this reason, this puzzle ring is also known as a Turkish wedding band even though the Turkish people don't wear puzzle rings as a wedding ring.

Heart-shaped gemstones were often incorporated in the design and split between two rings so when the two rings were joined they formed a complete heart. Apart, the two rings allowed the bride and groom to each wear a piece of the other's heart, until they were wed. Gemstones were also fashioned in a variety of traditional gemstone cuts, but simpler ring designs were also popular and bore engravings. For instance, Martin Luther wore a gimmel ring in his engagement to Catherine Bora in 1525. It read, "Whom God has joined together, Let no man put asunder."

Gimmel rings created by two interlocking rings provided a ring for bride and one for the groom as a sign that they were betrothed. When they took their vows they fit the two rings together to form a wedding band for the new bride.

Some rings were made up of three interlocking rings. In that case, one was worn by the bride, one by the groom, and the third by a witness – what we'd call a best man today. When a witness was involved, it became more than an engagement. It represented a contract. The witness would be present when the wedding vows were exchanged and then all three rings were joined to form a wedding band for the bride to wear.

Over the last few years, the puzzle ring has re-surged in popularity in North America and is even available as four interlocking bands.

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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Why Do Brides Wear a Veil?

(Updated February 2026)

When you think about all the wedding-related trappings, have you ever wondered why they exist? Take the bridal veil, for example. It’s one of the most iconic accessories in a wedding, but its origins are surprisingly ancient and steeped in superstition.

Princess Beatrice 1885

The Origins of the Bridal Veil

The tradition of veiling the bride can be traced back to ancient Rome. Brides were thought to be vulnerable to evil spirits on their wedding day, and the veil acted as a disguise to protect her from jealous or malicious forces.

Interestingly, the original wedding veil wasn’t white—it was flame red. In Roman belief, the fiery color scared away spirits while also symbolizing passion and vitality. Wearing the veil over the face added an extra layer of protection.

Original wedding veil was flame red.

Veils in Arranged Marriages

Beyond superstition, veils also served a practical purpose, particularly in arranged marriages. The groom often did not see his bride before the ceremony. The veil helped hide her appearance, preventing potential embarrassment or disappointment and ensuring the wedding proceeded smoothly.

Arranged marriage.

Religious and Cultural Significance

Over time, the veil took on other meanings:

A symbol of humility and respect for God
During the Victorian era, a sign of social status, with length and material reflecting wealth and prestige
Royal brides, like Princess Diana, famously wore extraordinarily long veils—hers measured 24 feet!

Modern Bridal Veils

As beliefs have changed and new meanings were attached to the veil. Today blusher veils are a popular choice among brides, but not all brides cover their face. If they do, some brides:

Have the groom lift their veil
Have their father lift the veil when he gives the bride away
Others go through the entire ceremony with their face covered until the father lifts the veil so the groom can kiss his new wife.

2 Tier Beaded Edge Fingertip Length Bridal Veil

Today, brides can choose how, or if, they want to wear a veil:

Covering the face for a dramatic reveal
Wearing it drawn back for subtle elegance
Skipping it entirely

From ancient superstition to Victorian symbolism and modern fashion, the bridal veil has evolved dramatically. Understanding its history adds depth and meaning to a timeless wedding tradition, giving brides the freedom to embrace, or reinterpret it in a way that feels personal.

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Photo credits: Wikimedia, Amazon, wikimedia, Amazon

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

The Tradition of “Giving Away the Bride”: Then and Now

(Updated March, 2026)

Giving the bride away is a wedding tradition that has evolved significantly over time. For many couples, it remains a meaningful moment in the ceremony—but its meaning today is often very different from its origins.

One father I know carried a small photo of his daughter in his pocket as he walked her down the aisle. When he showed it to her, a picture of her as a little girl with pigtails, her eyes filled with tears. The wedding march played, and together they walked forward, connected by a lifetime of memories. At that moment, tradition wasn’t about formality, it became something deeply personal, shaped by love, history, and shared experience.

Sometimes, even within long-standing customs, we create something new.

The Origins of Giving Away the Bride

Historically, the tradition dates back to times when arranged marriages were common. In many cultures:

Daughters were often viewed as part of their father’s household or “under his authority”
Fathers had the role of formally “giving” their daughter to a groom
Marriages sometimes involved a bride price or dowry
A father’s permission was required for marriage

While these practices reflect historical social structures, they are very different from how most weddings are understood today.

How the Tradition Is Interpreted Today

In modern ceremonies, “giving away the bride” is generally symbolic. Rather than implying ownership, it is often viewed as:

A gesture of blessing from a parent or family member
A symbolic transition from one family unit to another
A shared moment acknowledging love, support, and continuity

It’s also common for the wording in ceremonies to reflect this shift, focusing on support and blessing rather than transfer of authority.

A Tradition That Has Expanded

Today, this moment is no longer limited to fathers alone. Many brides choose different variations, including:

Walking with both parents
Being escorted by a mother instead of a father
Walking with a sibling, child, or close friend
Walking alone as an intentional statement of independence
Having both families walk in together

Each version reflects what feels meaningful to the couple rather than a fixed expectation.

Not a Requirement—A Choice

While the tradition still holds emotional value for many families, it is not something every bride needs to include.

For some, it may feel outdated or not reflective of their family dynamic. For others, the moment may be deeply meaningful, even if adapted in a modern way.

And for those whose parents are absent or deceased, the tradition can still be honored in a way that feels personal—by inviting another loved one to take part in the walk down the aisle or by reimagining the moment entirely.

A Tradition That Keeps Evolving

Like many wedding customs, “giving away the bride” continues to evolve. What once reflected legal and social structures has become, for many, a moment of connection, memory, and meaning.

At its best, it is no longer about transfer—it is about presence. About honoring relationships, history, and the people who have shaped the journey to that day.

And sometimes, as in the story of the father with the photograph, it becomes something even more personal than tradition ever intended.

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Monday, September 21, 2015

Handfasting tradition represents love and fidelity

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the phrase "to tie the knot" when talking about getting married? It turns out this saying comes from an ancient custom known as handfasting. The same is true for the phrase, "bonds of matrimony." This tying together of the bride and groom's hands (wrists) was how couples in Great Britain pledged their betrothal in front of witnesses in ages past. Today it is a popular addition to traditional weddings for couples looking to add a strong cultural or historical element to incorporate in their ceremony.

Handfasting goes back to Greece and Rome

The practice of handfasting was originally practiced by the Greeks and Romans. In the Roman celebration, a garland was fashioned from magnolias, elder and roses which they used to wrap around the couple's wrists. This practice was thought to represent love and fidelity.

Handfasting common tradition in Ireland and Scotland

The handfasting ceremony became especially common in Ireland and Scotland and turned out to be the way couples were "officially" married in the times before the church became involved in performing weddings and makes a popular choice for couples who choose a medieval theme or fantasy theme for their wedding.

Divinity Braid Wedding Handfasting Cord

Handfasting today

Today, many people consider handfasting a strictly pagan custom often used in non-traditional marriages, but really it is a wedding ritual that can easily be incorporated into a traditional wedding while exchanging vows. In fact, it's a meaningful ritual that makes a perfect choice for couples looking to incorporate a visual that symbolizes their love, and for those of Scottish or Irish decent it is an opportunity to add a nice historical tie to their roots.

Traditionally silk cords are used in handfasting, but today some people use something that adds a personal touch meaningful to them. This might include cloth strips or one large piece of cloth made from something that holds special significance, like a piece of a mother or grandmother's wedding dress. Others choose several ribbons or a number of different colors with each color representing a different meaning.

Whatever you choose to use to tie the knot, this timeless tradition symbolizes the union of two people and their willingness to spend the rest of their lives together. And while the practice itself is an ancient tradition, today couples can find many different versions to choose from whether it is for a wedding or a renewal of vows.