One wedding tradition I didn’t follow at my own reception was the tossing of the bouquet and garter. I didn’t like the idea that it symbolized women scrabbling to be the next to get married, or having Jon remove an article of my clothing in front of everyone. If we look at the origins of this particular wedding tradition, we can see how it evolved. Traditionally, brides carried a bouquet that contained strong-smelling herbs and spices. This was, in part, another way of warding off evil spirits, but it could also serve to sweeten the proceedings if any of the … Continue reading →

Today I want to share some of my favorite origins behind wedding traditions. The traditions themselves aren’t my favorites, but I’m very tickled by their roots. These traditions have to do with the wedding party and originated in medieval Europe. It’s easy enough to imagine why a bride is surrounded by bridesmaids; they often spent the night with the bride before her wedding to make sure that she wasn’t visited by any men before becoming a wife. But that’s not the only reason for their presence. Centuries ago brides and their maids all dressed alike (which is why bridesmaids still … Continue reading →

If there’s one universal symbol of a wedding it’s a white dress. Ask anyone off the street the meaning behind that dress and they’d say it symbolizes purity, even virginity. We keep adhering to the supposed tradition of a white wedding dress and the meaning behind it, even if that latter part isn’t usually relevant anymore. Almost every woman wears a white dress to her wedding. The most common reason for deviation is if it’s a second (or third or fourth, etc.) marriage, when it’s not as scandalous to acknowledge that the implied “purity” of the white gown isn’t exactly … Continue reading →