SIX Historic Wedding Customs We Still See Today

Wedding customs sure have changed over the years!

We all know the wedding customs we normally see at the usual American or Canadian wedding.  Heck, I base my blog off of it.  Do you know the symbolic meaning behind them?

Many of the wedding customs we see today have some historical significance and are rooted in a tradition. 

Perhaps you want to add a historical flair to your wedding.  Or, maybe you are interested in the past’s influence on the present. Either way, read on!

It seems like many wedding customs and practices have to do with the same common themes.  Wishes of happiness, community, life, love, luck, and the future for the couple are common examples.  In addition, many historical wedding superstitions are also related to fertility.  However, I will acknowledge that many couples today have zero intention of having kids, so take any mention of fertility blessings with a grain of salt.

Other than fertility, the remaining reasons behind traditions are all probably applicable to each and every couple (unless being happy isn’t your thing, of course). Some may call it superstitious, but when you combine tradition with beliefs, customs seem to be born.

SIX Historic Wedding Customs We Still See Today

1. SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

Everyone has heard the old adage.  A bride should have “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” with her at her wedding to bring her luck. 

To understand the meaning behind these items, you have to look at the symbolism they each represent. Something old is really something from the past, and something new is for the future.  Something borrowed is from your community, and something blue symbolizes faithfulness.

This tradition actually has roots in ancient Israel, where brides wore blue ribbons in their hair as a promise of fidelity to their husbands.

While not everyone analyzes the meaning behind the items, or even makes an effort to complete this tradition, it is definitely a pretty common one to know about. And if you really stretch your imagination, it’s usually a pretty easy one to honor.

Fun fact: There is actually an added recommendation to this saying.  The added recommendation is to also “wear a silver sixpence in your shoe”. The sixpence, or coin, would symbolize wealth and good fortune.

2. THROWING ITEMS AT THE COUPLE

The thought that guests throw items at newlyweds is kind of strange, right?

I don’t know if I’ve ever thrown anything at a couple.  However, in almost all movies featuring weddings, this appears to be the norm.  There is almost always a scene of the newly married running down a crowd of their guests in movies.  These wedding guests are always split down the middle and tossing rice at the couple.  This act is something that has definitely been done historically.

Traditionally, guests would (gently) throw rice, flower petals, or coins, as an act of wishing the couple abundance in their lives together.  While rice could represent food, the flowers are for fertility, and coins are for wealth.

3. JUMPING THE BROOM

This is a pretty common tradition at African American weddings in the USA.

Typically a couple is first pronounced married.  Before they head back down the aisle together they hold hands and jump over a carefully placed decorated broom.  This broom is tied with a ribbon and is in front of them as they turn to go down the aisle.

While the act of the jump can symbolize jumping into the future together, the broom represents brushing away the past. In addition, the broom handle represents God in Christianity.  The straw is family, and the ribbon is the tie that binds the couple. While some argue this ritual originated in West Africa to scare away evil, others say it started in Wales for couples who could not marry in a church.

When slavery was legal in the US, brooms were readily available to the enslaved.  Jumping the broom was one way that they considered themselves legally wed. The tradition today is seen as a little controversial due to it’s ties to slavery and terrible history.  However, many people see it as an homage to their heritage and a huge blessing to their marriage. 

For more details on this tradition, check out this article I found.

4. NEW ORLEANS WEDDING PARADE

Have you ever been to New Orleans?

It’s a wonderful city. The food is amazing, and the people there are incredibly friendly and warm.  History and traditions of the city live on today, hundreds of years after the New Orleans was established.

Chances are, if you go to New Orleans, you will see what’s called a Second Line.  This is a processional of an entire wedding down the streets of New Orleans, headed from a ceremony to a reception. Leading the parade is typically a band.  The band is followed by the newlyweds, and then the rest of the wedding guests.

The newlyweds traditionally hold interesting umbrellas.  This is symbolic as umbrellas are historically thought to have been a necessity for shade.  In addition, they are a symbol of femininity and grace. 

The second group to follow, or second line, are the guests of the wedding. They typically form a line behind the couple and wave colorful handkerchiefs, which are historically easy to have available.

This tradition actually has roots in jazz funerals.  Historically, these memorials started incorporating parades and jazz bands in the 19th Century, turning them into a real celebration through the streets.  This inspired parades for marriages.

The act of celebrating the couple, with everyone included, shows off the symbolism of community around the new marriage. Everyone within earshot is invited to show their support. This could be by actually participating in the second line, dancing briefly with the parade, watching the procession, or just enjoying the music. 

5. DECORATING THE WEDDING CAR

Can you believe this decorating the wedding car may be tied to ancient Greece?

There are actually paintings found in Greece of chariots covered in flowers.  This indicates a very long held tradition. I don’t know about you, but whenever I see a “Just Married” sign on a car, among other noisy or colorful items, it makes me excited and happy.

This decorating the wedding car tradition may also have roots from France.  Historically, friends of the couple would follow the newlyweds home in an effort to keep the support and party going.  These friends would make lots of noise with pots and pans until the couple promised to hold another party for them.

This practice, called Charivari, is modified in the USA. The act of decorating the couple’s vehicle with noisy cans and loud colors can certainly bring the party back home with them. This is a way for the people of the “past” to follow the couple into their “future”.  It also allows for anyone around the vehicle to join in on the excitement and best wishes.

In some cultures the car is decorated with items that have special meanings. While tin cans are common in the US for the reasons mentioned above, English friends often tie baby shoes to the car.  Russian friends may attach dolls to the hood of the car, both in an effort to symbolize fertility wishes.

6. NOT SEEING BRIDE IN DRESS BEFORE WEDDING

The history of this wedding custom is pretty un-romantic even though it’s supposed to be considered good luck in today’s world.

Historically, many marriages were nothing more than a business transaction between two families.  For example, weddings and marriages were arranged well before the couple had even met.  To ensure that the groom would not back out of the wedding due to finding the bride unattractive or unappealing in some way, the couple was traditionally introduced right at the moment they would wed.  This helped insure that the wedding would absolutely take place.

Today, of course, many engaged couples opt not to see each other before the wedding because it adds elements of surprise and excitement (though First Looks are great too!).

HOW TO MAKE WEDDING CUSTOMS YOUR OWN

Of course, not all of these traditions will be pertinent at your wedding. Today, couples getting married have much more flexibility to make up their own symbolism.

Here are some tips on putting your own spin on tradition to create meaning within your own wedding practices:

Research the symbolism behind colors, flowers, or traditions you like.

Use your imagination and do some digging.  You are bound to find ties from you, your future spouse, or your community to the items you like. For example, you may find that the colors you are looking at for your wedding represented love somewhere in your heritage.

Change traditions as you see appropriate to fit you and your fiancé as a couple.

It’s okay not to have a cookie-cutter wedding, and to take elements of history and use them today. An example of this is to carry a bouquet made of paper if you love books.  Similarly, you could also wear a blue barrette in your hair that used to belong to your grandmother.

Create your own meanings.

Ask your elders or relatives about their own history and experiences.  Also, look for ways to use that in your wedding. Perhaps your mother carried a specific type of flower at her wedding? Or your fiancé’s grandparents danced to a great old song at theirs. Maybe your wedding date can be significant to a family anniversary or birthday. Create a narrative that can be passed on to the next generation.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Most importantly, with wedding customs, do what feels important to you.  If it’s exciting and meaningful to you to jump the broom, go for it.  If you really want to see each other before the wedding, enjoy that special moment together.  Be true to yourselves as a couple and the meaning will follow. 

More From Hummingbird Wedding Advice: 

12 Unity Ceremony Ideas & Customs

What To Do With Your Wedding Dress After The Wedding

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