Home » History » European Social History » Wedding Rings, Wedding Dresses and Garters -- Marriage Tradtions

Wedding Rings, Wedding Dresses and Garters -- Marriage Tradtions

© Rachelle Hughes

The modern day marriage ceremony or celebration is replete with traditions that stretch back through the history of many different cultures. What are the real origins of some of the most common wedding traditions? The answers give a peek into not only historic wedding customs but also beliefs and family relations.

THE WEDDING RING One of the oldest known wedding customs is the wedding ring. The Romans believed that the third finger of the left hand had a vein that ran directly to the heart. By encircling this finger with a band you were pledging your heart. The diamond engagement ring probably stems from the Italians. They gave diamond rings to their betrothed bride because they believed that the diamond held the flame of love. Jewels also often made up a part of the dower, the gifts or money that a prospective groom gave his bride.

THROWING THE GARTER This is another one of the oldest surviving wedding customs. The garter was used in early medieval weddings as a witness that the groom was taking the bride to bed to consummate their marriage. As these bedding ceremonies got rowdier and rowdier, (some of the wedding feast guests would try to enter the bridal chamber and help undress the bride)the groom would throw the garter to the crowd to distract them. A garter was considered good luck for the lucky recipient.

THE WEDDING DRESS Originally white was not the wedding dress color for purity. During the Middle Ages, wedding dresses varied in color. A blue ribbon on the bridal couples' clothes represented purity, fidelity and love. A green dress usually signified youth, and a blue dress constancy. In 1449, Anne of Brittany made the white wedding gown popular.

THROWING RICE During the Middle Ages, wheat kernels were thrown at the bridal couple as a symbol of fertility. Unmarried women would scramble to gather the wheat kernels in order to ensure their own betrothal.

THE WEDDING CAKE The wedding cake was another custom that began with the Romans. A small wheat cake was thrown over the bride's head to promise her fertility. Later in Britain, the practice of stacking several cakes on top of each other caught on. The bridal couple would try to kiss over the top of the cake without knocking it down. Success meant a life of prosperity.

THE BRIDAL BOUQUETS Throughout history different flowers or herbs have carried symbolism. The first bridal bouquets were arranged with the flowers or herbs that conveyed different meanings, whether it was a wish or promise for lustiness, faithfullness, love or fertility.

The copyright of the article Wedding Rings, Wedding Dresses and Garters -- Marriage Tradtions in European Social History is owned by . Permission to republish Wedding Rings, Wedding Dresses and Garters -- Marriage Tradtions in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.