The origins you never knew behind 15 wedding traditions!
Image: The origins you never knew behind 15 wedding traditions!
Like most things we, as humans have many traditions, rituals and things we do however more often than not we won’t know why we do these things or know the history or origins behind these long-standing traditions and weddings are no different, in fact, they are full of them! We debug them and look into the origins you never knew behind 15 wedding traditions that appear in wedding films!
Weddings are a universal celebration of love and partnership, but the rituals and traditions that surround them have evolved significantly over the centuries. From ancient rites to modern customs, the history of wedding traditions reflects a rich tapestry of cultural, religious, and social influences. Let’s take a journey through time to explore how some of the most iconic wedding practices came to be.
The Origins of Marriage Ceremonies
The institution of marriage dates back thousands of years, with the earliest recorded ceremonies taking place around 2350 B.C. in Mesopotamia. Initially, marriage was more about forming alliances and consolidating power than romantic love. Families would arrange unions to strengthen social, political, or economic ties. Love as a basis for marriage only became widespread much later, influenced by literature and evolving societal values.
In ancient Rome, marriage contracts were signed publicly, symbolizing a legal and social bond rather than an emotional commitment. The Romans also introduced the concept of wearing wedding rings, a practice inspired by the Egyptians, who believed the circular shape symbolized eternity.
1. Why is the bride on the groom's left?
Because grooms in Anglo-Saxon England often had to defend their brides, the bride would stand to the left of her groom so that his sword arm was free. No swords today of course but still something very key in a wedding!
2. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue & a sixpence in Your Shoe
"Something old" represents the bride's link to her family and the past. The bride may choose to wear a piece of family jewellery or her mother or grandmother's wedding gown. "Something new" represents hope for good fortune and success in the future. The bride often chooses the wedding gown to represent the new item. "Something borrowed" usually comes from a happily married woman and is thought to lend some of her good fortune and joy to the new bride. "Something blue" is a symbol of love, fidelity, and purity of the bride. A sixpence in her shoe is to wish the bride wealth in her future life.
3. Wedding bouquet
Flowers are incorporated into the wedding ceremony as a symbol of fertility. The first bouquets consisted of herbs and, later, orange blossoms.
4. The bridal veil
The bridal veil has long been a symbol of youth, virginity, modesty and was used to ward off evil.
Image: The origins you never knew behind 15 wedding traditions!
5. The tiered wedding cake
The origin of the tiered wedding cake also lies in Anglo-Saxon times. Guests would bring small cakes to the wedding and stack them on top of each other. Later, a clever French baker created a cake in the shape of the small cakes and covered it in frosting. It is now known as the tiered cake. Now we sometimes have tiered cakes made out of cupcakes but they are still tiered! Wedding cakes also have ancient origins. In Roman times, a simple barley or wheat cake was broken over the bride’s head to symbolize fertility and good fortune. This evolved into elaborate confections in medieval Europe, where cakes were stacked as high as possible, and couples would try to kiss over the tower without knocking it down—a precursor to the modern tiered wedding cake.
By the 17th century, sugar became more widely available, leading to the rise of the grand white wedding cake, which became a status symbol. We are getting hungry reading this point… next!
6. Bridesmaids
The bridal party is a tradition that has been established for many centuries. For a long time, the purpose of the bridal party was to fool evil spirits. The bride's friends dressed similarly to her to confuse any virulent presence that might be lurking about. Today bridesmaids are there to support the bride in the stressful times during the wedding of and of course help organise the Hen do and pilgrimage to Benidorm or Maga.
7. the bridal boUquet
Carrying flowers at weddings is a tradition with roots in ancient Greece and Rome, where brides carried herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits. The shift to floral bouquets happened during the Victorian era, when the "language of flowers" gained popularity. Each flower carried symbolic meaning—roses for love, lilies for purity, and ivy for fidelity.
8. Tossing the bouqueT
ossing the bouquet is a tradition that stems from us Brits. Women used to try to rip pieces of the bride's dress and flowers in order to obtain some of her good luck. To escape from the crowd the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. Today the bouquet is tossed to single women with the belief that whoever catches it will be the next to marry.
9. Giving away the bride
The tradition of the father giving away his daughter has its roots in the days of arranged marriages. Daughters in those times were considered their father's property. It was the father's right to give his child to the groom, usually for a price. Today a father giving away his daughter is a symbol of his blessing of the marriage. Cue - the perfect time to get the ‘Father of the Bride’ film out!
Image: The origins you never knew behind 15 wedding traditions!
10. The wedding ring
The wedding ring has been worn on the third finger of the left hand since Roman times. The Romans believed that the vein in that finger runs directly to the heart. The wedding ring is a never-ending circle, which symbolises everlasting love.
11. Exchange of rings
The exchange of rings is one of the oldest wedding traditions, with its roots in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians believed the vein in the fourth finger of the left hand (the "vena amoris") was directly connected to the heart. While this anatomical belief has been debunked, the symbolic connection remains strong. The circular shape of the ring, with no beginning or end, represents eternal love. Over time, different cultures added their own touches, such as engraving personal messages or incorporating gemstones.
12. The best man
In ancient times, men sometimes captured women to make them their brides. This is slightly frowned upon these days of course! A man would take along his strongest and most trusted friend to help him fight resistance from the woman's family. This friend, therefore, was considered the best man among his friends. In Anglo-Saxon England, the best man accompanied the groom up the aisle to help defend the bride.
13. The White Wedding Dress
The white wedding dress is now synonymous with brides in many cultures, but this tradition is relatively recent. Before the 19th century, brides wore their best dress—regardless of its color. The modern association of white with purity and virginity began with Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Her elegant white gown set a fashion precedent that spread across Europe and eventually the world.
Interestingly, in some cultures, bright colours like red (symbolizing prosperity and joy) are traditional for brides, as seen in Chinese and Indian weddings.
14. The Honeymoon
The honeymoon has a complex history. In ancient times, couples would drink a honey-based alcoholic beverage (mead) for a month following their wedding—hence the term "honeymoon." In medieval Europe, it referred to a bride's family providing enough wine for a month to ensure a smooth transition for the newlyweds. Today, it’s a time for couples to relax and celebrate their new life together.
15. Breaking Glass and Other Unique Cultural Traditions
Many cultures have unique wedding traditions:
Jewish weddings: The groom breaks a glass underfoot, symbolizing the fragility of relationships and the need to nurture them.
Indian weddings: Brides and grooms often have intricate henna designs applied to their hands and feet, signifying joy and beauty.
Scottish weddings: The couple may be covered in soot or other messy substances before the wedding day in a playful rite called "blackening the bride and groom," thought to bring good luck.
Modern WEDDING Trends with Ancient Roots
While weddings today are often highly personalized, many traditions have ancient roots. Couples adapt these customs to reflect their values and personalities while honouring the rich history behind them. Whether it's the heartfelt exchange of vows, the cutting of the cake, or the first dance, weddings continue to be a beautiful blend of old and new.
As these traditions evolve, they remind us that while the specifics may change, the essence of a wedding—a celebration of love and commitment—remains timeless.
A new wedding tradition? Booking a wedding VIDEOGRAPHER as well as a photographer..
Whilst it is generally been a tradition to book a wedding photographer adding a wedding videographer to the mix has a host of long-term benefits. If you think about a big reason why it has always been a standard practice to book a wedding photographer since the dawn of time is mainly due to the technology and availability of video equipment! Now there is a host of wedding film-making equipment available to capture your day in a beautiful and creative way! A wedding film will have a neverending shelf life and you can watch it again and again like your favourite movie! Plus, remember photography misses what video doesn’t…
Nostalgia is a twinge in your heart, far more powerful than memory alone. Your wedding videography will be your time machine. It will go backwards, and forwards, it will take you to a place you ache to go again - your wedding day. Your wedding video will make you travel to a place where you are loved.
When you’re so much a part of it, there’s so much you miss. Your wedding day is your day. All eyes are on you. You’ve done all the preparations and planned every detail. Now you’re at the heart of it. Professional Wedding Videography is the only way you’ll be able to look back at everything that happened. Things you’ll have missed because you were focused on the two of you. So, If there’s one thing on your wedding checklist that you must not forget it’s Wedding Videography. Don’t think having a Wedding Videographer is a luxury - it’s an absolute necessity.
Race Wedding Videography will shoot stylish and elegant footage of your entire wedding day. Zooming in from sky-high drone shots to the tiniest details, your Wedding Video will be a carefully crafted record for you to treasure and share forevermore. There is no cheesy posing, just you guys being you.
Final Thoughts
The history of wedding traditions offers a window into how societies have celebrated love and partnership across millennia. Whether you’re planning your own wedding or attending one, understanding these customs adds depth and meaning to the experience. After all, each "I do" carries centuries of history behind it.