Wedding Traditions and Customs Unraveled

Our Special Moments Event Planning team knows all too well that weddings are full of traditions. Some things we do are driven ‘just because,’ while others are based on our family’s ethnic and cultural customs.

We know that unless you are a total wedding geek – lots of hands raised in our office – you have no idea the history behind some things we do.

 

Sharing is Caring

We thought sharing some of the wedding trivia with our recently engaged couples, families, and other wedding pros checking blogs would be fun.

Here are a few of the wedding traditions we all found interesting.

 

#1 Throwing Rice at the Newlyweds

This tradition has ancient roots. It was thought that feeding the evil spirits would keep the couple safe. Another part of the tradition talks about marriage as an expansion of the family, and rice symbolizes prosperity and fertility.

We see that many Tampa Bay wedding venues no longer allow the throwing of rice. Some say it’s because wild birds eat it and then blow up as the rice expands.

FALSE – While it doesn’t harm the birds, it is a mess and a possible slipping danger.

We love seeing couples choose bubbles or ribbon wants as they photograph so well.

 

 

#2 A Boutonniere Is Always Worn On the Left Side

Called a ‘buttonhole’ in the UK, it’s translated to boutonniere in French. On a suit jacket, the left lapel has a buttonhole stitched in it. In some places, the stems are placed through the hole, but most times, they are pinned over the opening.

Even if you are not wearing a jacket or one without a buttonhole – like a shawl collar on a tuxedo – the boutonniere is worn in the same place.

It also places it over the heart!

 

 

#3 – It’s Good Luck If It Rains On Your Wedding Day.

Seriously, it is! Many cultures believe that rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck. It’s considered to be an act of cleansing and fertility.

Our Special Moments Event Planning team also likes to hedge our bets and have a backup plan.

Wedding photos in the rain, walking with an umbrella, and taking advantage of the reflections off of a puddle are pretty. But for the ceremony and reception, we always have a plan!

 

#4 – Why Does a Couple Have A Wedding Party?

The origins of both are fascinating. Bridesmaids and brides originally all dressed the same and wore veils over their faces. This was intended to confuse jealous exes and evil spirits who may want to harm the bride.

The Groomsmen had it a little more complicated. Originally called Bride’s Knights, they carried the bride to the wedding and were charged with protecting her dowry and virginity.

Wedding parties have it so much easier now. Helping with wedding plans, shower planning, and bachelor or bachelorette parties sounds like a walk in the park.

 

 

#5 – Save The Top of Your Wedding Cake

Initially, couples would save the top of their wedding cake to be eaten at their first child’s Christening party. When the tradition began, many couples started their families immediately after marriage.

As time passed, the tradition began to save the top tier to be eaten on the couple’s first anniversary. Many cake artists now offer to reproduce the top tier for a couple’s first anniversary.

We actually like the idea of cutting the cake into 12ths, wrapping each slice individually, and then placing them into a freezer bag. You can pull out a piece on each month’s anniversary for the first year. It tends to freeze better, stay fresher, and defrost more quickly. But it also gives you a sweet treat for an entire year!

 

 

#6 – Raise A Glass to the Newlyweds

According to wedding tradition, guests toast the couple. Raising one’s glass to toast own health is not considered appropriate.

We LOVE the analogy that you never see Queen Elizabeth singing “God Save The Queen.” So, the answer is to sit quietly and smile for some great photos.

 

#7 – Inappropriate Wedding Gifts

We were surprised to see that giving a knife as a wedding gift is considered bad luck. It’s said to signify a broken relationship. I can cut the cords of a happy marriage.

Tradition also says that if someone gives you knives as a wedding gift, you should give them back a penny in return. That way, it is a purchase and not a gift.

They were all too fun to research – while we knew a lot of them, some were also new to us. What wedding traditions do you want to learn more about?