Weddings are steeped in age old traditions that carry on through the years and whether you are the superstitious type or not, you can’t help but observe a few of them when it comes to tying the knot. After all, what self-respecting Bride would consider walking down the aisle without something old, new, borrowed and blue? Many traditions date back hundreds of years and have their roots in ancient superstitious beliefs.
Here are a few traditions and what they mean:
Confetti
Throwing confetti over newlyweds symbolises a “fruitful” union. Small pieces of coloured paper have replaced grain and rice – Pagans believed the fertility of the seeds would be transferred to the couple.
Old, new, borrowed, blue
This dates back to Victorian times and the full saying goes “something old, new, borrowed, blue and a silver sixpence in your shoe.”
The old refers to wearing something that represents a link with the Bride’s family and her old life.
Wearing something new represents good fortune and success in her new life.
Something borrowed is meant to bring good luck to the marriage.
Something blue dates back to biblical times when the colour was considered to represent purity and fidelity.
Placing a silver sixpence in the Bride’s left shoe is a symbol of wealth – not just financially but also a wealth of happiness and joy throughout her married life.
The ring finger
Rings are worn on the third finger of the left hand because the finger follows the vena amoris – the vein of love that runs directly to the heart.
Why the Bride stands on the left
The origin of this dates back to when a groom would capture his intended by kidnapping her. If he had to fight off other would be suitors, holding her with his left hand allowed his right to remain free to use his sword.
Jessica at Gosfield Hall
