Mar 12, 2020 | By: Onion Studio
There are a lot of fun and also weird traditions that we follow on our wedding day, but where did they all stem from? Here's a few of the most commontraditions and their origins.
Cake Cutting
Cake cutting used to be reserved for the bride alone. Her cutting the cake symbolized the loss of her virginity. As cakes got more elaborate, the bride enlisted the help of the groom. Today, both partners cut the cake as a symbolism of their first act together as a union.
Feeding Cake
It’s unclear where the tradition of feeding (or smashing) each other cake came to be, but there has always been some sort of baked goods related tradition. Romans used to break bread over the bride’s head and guests would pick up the crumbs as a sign of good luck. Another tradition includes the bride taking a bite of pastry and then tossing the rest over her head to ensure a life of wanting nothing.
Saving the Top Layer of Cake
With the rise of elaborate cakes came leftovers. Many religious couples would save their top layer of cake not because of an anniversary tradition, but as a dessert for their first born’s christening, as it was expected that the bride would be with child within the first year.
Bouquet
Before we get to tossing the bouquet, where did the bouquet come from? The bouquet had a practical purpose back in the 14th century. The Bubonic Plague spread across England and brides would carry bouquets of garlic and herbs to help ward off the plague, evil spirits and bad odors. Post plague, brides started to carry flowers to help mask body odor as people did not shower regularly.
The tossing of the bouquet started in England when unmarried women would try to rip off pieces of the brides dress or flowers to try and gain some of her good luck in hopes to become the next to get married. To prevent a wedding dress rampage, the bride would throw her bouquet into the crowd and run. Charming.
Garter
The garter was once used to prevent stockings from slipping. Since the invention of elastic, the garter is more of a fashion statement than of a useful garment. Today, post bouquet toss, the groom removes the bride’s garter with his hands or teeth and tosses it to the groomsmen. This tradition has gone through a transformation since medieval times. The groomsmen were the ones to rush the bride and take her garters as a prize.
Rings
In 1477, Archduke Maximillian of Austria was believed to have commissioned the first ever diamond engagement ring for Mary of Burgundy. This sparked a trend for diamond engagement rings among European aristocracy and nobility.
The Roman’s had a custom in which a wife would wear a ring attached to small keys indicating their husband’s ownership. They wore wedding rings on the fourth finder of the left hand because they believed the vein in that finger runs directly to the heart. As a never-ending circle, the ring also symbolizes everlasting love.
Veil
A bride would often times wear a veil to ward off any evil spirits on her big day. In arranged marriages, the veil was used to obscure her face until after the ceremony so the groom wouldn’t back out if he didn’t like what he saw.
Do you plan to do any of these or other traditions on your wedding day? We’d love to know!
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As an enthusiast in wedding traditions and customs with an in-depth understanding, I'll delve into the origins and significance behind the various customs highlighted in the article from March 12, 2020, authored by Onion Studio.
Cake Cutting: Traditionally, cake cutting was an act performed solely by the bride, symbolizing the loss of her virginity. Over time, this act evolved as cakes became more intricate, involving both partners. Today, it symbolizes the first joint task undertaken as a married couple.
Feeding Cake: The tradition of feeding or playfully smashing cake on each other's faces doesn't have a clear origin. However, historical traditions involved baked goods, like Romans breaking bread over the bride's head for good luck or tossing pastry for a life of abundance.
Saving the Top Layer of Cake: Originally, saving the top layer of the wedding cake wasn't for an anniversary but as a dessert for the firstborn's christening. This belief stemmed from the expectation that the bride would conceive within the first year of marriage.
Bouquet: In the 14th century, brides carried bouquets of garlic and herbs during the Bubonic Plague to ward off disease and bad odors. Later, flowers were used to mask body odor when regular bathing was uncommon. The tossing of the bouquet originated from unmarried women attempting to gain luck by grabbing parts of the bride's attire.
Garter: Initially, garters served to hold up stockings, but with the advent of elastic, they became more of a fashion statement. The garter toss, following the bouquet toss, involves the groom removing the garter and tossing it to the groomsmen. Historically, groomsmen would rush to claim the bride's garters.
Rings: The concept of engagement rings gained popularity after Archduke Maximillian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with the first recorded diamond engagement ring in 1477. Rings, indicating ownership or eternal love, have historical roots in Roman customs.
Veil: Wearing a veil served multiple purposes, including warding off evil spirits and concealing the bride's face in arranged marriages until after the ceremony.
Each of these wedding traditions carries historical significance and has evolved over time, intertwining cultural practices, beliefs, and practical considerations. Couples often choose to incorporate these customs into their weddings, either for their symbolic meanings or as a way to honor tradition and heritage.
