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A conch shell blown before the ceremony, signifying the start of an important event and the serving of Rum cake at the wedding are two Caribbean traditional customs that some brides and grooms incorporate into their ceremonies held in the Caribbean.
While unique traditions for different cultures, religions, and ethnic groups have developed over time, most brides and grooms are not sure where some of the traditions they follow even came from nor the meaning of the tradition.
Many of the western traditions and superstitions go back to Roman or Victorian times while others are based on modern folklore. These traditions have been passed down for generations and changed over time or are now versions of the original custom.
Bride wears “Something old, new, borrowed, blue and a sixpence in her shoe". This Victorian rhyme is 5 superstitions reminding the bride is to wear an article of clothing to meet each requirement.
• Something old: Signifies ties to the bride's family and her old life. To ensure happiness the item must be something that belonged to a happily married woman.
• Something new: For the bride's future health, happiness, and success in her new life.
• Something borrowed: To bring luck to the marriage if the item was worn by a happy bride at her wedding and must be returned to ensure good luck.
• Something blue: Blue is thought to symbolize fidelity and purity.
• And a Sixpence in her shoe: To bring wealth to the couple and worn in the left shoe.
White Wedding Dress
The white dress symbolizes a variety of meanings including joy, purity, chastity, warding off evil spirits, and you've chosen the right husband.
Bride wearing the veil
Veils were once worn for what was believed to be protection from evil spirits. Later when arranged marriages were commonplace and the groom rarely saw the bride before the wedding; the veiled bride was escorted down the aisle by her father and handed over to the groom. His inability to see his bride was to avoid the groom calling off the agreement before the groom completed his vows if he did not find her looks agreeable.
Bride's Bouquet
Some herbs and spices were thought to keep away evil spirits, bad luck, and symbolize fertility. Eventually flowers were associated with special meaning and significance such as the red chrysanthemum for I love you, carnation for fascination and love, ivy for eternal fidelity, and the red rose for love. The bouquet is thrown during the ceremony to bring luck and protection to the marriage.
Groom's Boutonniere
Wearing a flower found in the bride's bouquet is from the medieval tradition of wearing the bride's family's colors as a declaration of his love.
Groom cannot see the bride before the ceremony on the wedding day
At one time, the bride was property of her father and her marriage was arranged between her father and the groom's family. It was not uncommon for a groom to change his mind when the groom saw his future wife especially if she was unattractive. It became bad luck for the groom to see his bride before the ceremony and thus avoid the bride being left at the altar.
Wedding Bands
The wedding band was thought to protect the wearer from evil spirits and later came to symbolize love and commitment. It was also a symbol of sealing the agreement.
Engagement Ring
Early in the first century, the Pope decreed the engagement ring be used as a declaration of intent. Gold signified the groom's financial sacrifice and sealed the agreement. Later the diamond being the hardest gemstone, is said to have been created in the flames of love, came to symbolize enduring love.
Ring finger
The Greek and Roman belief that the vein in the third finger of the left hand runs directly to the heart, the wedding band worn on this finger joins the couple's hearts.
Bride stands to the groom's left
Keeping his right hand free by having his bride on his left side, this tradition arose from the period when men wore swords. This would allow his right hand to be free for easy access to his sword and fight for her if other suitors came to retrieve the bride.
Wedding Kiss
This came from the Romans who used a kiss to seal a contract and considered it as legally binding.
Tossing Rice
Rice a symbol of fertility was the most common item thrown at the wedding. Wheat, figs, dates, and dried fruit are also thrown as symbols of a fruitful union and considered life-giving seeds.
Wedding Cake
Originally the wedding cake was broken over the bride's head as a symbol of fertility. The bride and groom make the first cut of the cake to symbolize the sharing of their new life together while guests eat the cake to ensure good luck. Sleeping with a piece of cake under one's pillow is thought to make the woman dream of her future husband.
The toast
To drink in honor of someone came to be known as the toast from the French custom to put a piece of bread in a goblet of wine, pass it from guest to guest to sip from the goblet, finally passing it to the person being toasted who would drink the remainder and eat the bread.
Almond Favors
Almonds have come to symbolize undying love. The Italians started the tradition of giving five almonds representing health, wealth, long life, fertility, and happiness.
Carrying the Bride over the threshold
So the Bride would not trip when entering her new home for the first time causing bad luck, the groom carries her over the threshold to ensure good luck.
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