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Wedding Phrases & Traditions

Have you ever wondered where some phrases come from? We use them all the time in our everyday language, but I have to say that most of them, I don’t understand. Of course the key to understanding is to know where these phrases originate. Different cultures use varying symbols to reflect different traditions. Back in the day, did people really tie a knot when they got married? And just why do you have to have something old, something new, borrowed, and blue? Well I don’t have all the answers, but I did find some interesting information. Here are some popular wedding phrases and traditions, and what they mean. Tying the knot: The ancients believed that knots protected you from evil spirits. And I guess that’s a good thing. Who wants evil spirits hanging around on their wedding day? Knots are also a symbol of “interwoven affection,” meaning that a couple’s love for each other would be intertwined once they got married.

Veil: A veil was used to disguise the bride so that any evil spirits (the evil eye) would not be able to find her.

Throwing Rice: At first glance it might seem like a cruel thing to do. I’ve never known anyone who welcomed the idea of being pelted with rice, EXCEPT on their wedding day. And while most people go along with it, the traditional reason why people engage in this behavior is to encourage fertility for the couple.

Tying old shoes to the bumper of the car: Strangely, this also symbolizes fertility.

If a bride breaks the heel of her shoe: If this unfortunate mishap should happen to the bride on her wedding day, a broken shoe is the least of her worries. When a bride breaks the heel of her shoes, it means that she will die within six months time.

Coin in shoe: If the bride wears a coin in her shoe, she will become wealthy.

Rain on your wedding day: If it rains on your wedding day, it’s good luck, but if it thunders during the ceremony, it means that the couple being married will be barren.

Wedding rehearsal: It’s apparently bad luck if the bride participates in the wedding rehearsal. She is supposed to use a stand-in, to keep the bad luck at bay.

Taking your wedding ring off: If you pull your wedding ring off your finger, your spouse will be unfaithful.

Baking your own wedding cake, or making your own wedding dress: It’s been said that if the bride takes on either of these tasks, it will bring an unhappy marriage.

Married in WHITE, you have chosen right;
Married in RED, you’d better be dead

Married in GREEN, ashamed to be seen;
Married in BLACK, you’ll ride in a hack

Married in PEARL, you’ll live in a whirl;
Married in BROWN, you’ll live out of town