Something old, something new, Something trivial just for you…

Wedding Traditions Trivia

By Paula Green

Wedding traditions differ from country to country. Many of today’s popular wedding ceremony traditions can be traced to ancient Egyptian and European customs. These were often based on symbolism, superstition, folklore and religion.

The word “wedding” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “wedd” that meant a man would marry a woman and pay the bride’s father.

Wedding bouquets were originally made of strong herbs, which were meant to frighten away evil spirits and to cover the stench emitted from people who did not bathe as regularly as modern people.

Traditionally, each type of flower has a special meaning and significance in itself. The groom’s flower, worn on his lapel, usually matches a flower in the bride’s bouquet. This tradition goes back to medieval times when knights wore the colors of their lady in tournaments.

The custom of wearing the wedding ring on the left hand dates back to ancient times. It was believed there was a vein in the third finger of the left hand that ran directly to the heart. The ring being placed on that finger denoted the connection of a heartfelt love and commitment to one another.

The bridal attire rhyme Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue dates back to Victorian times. Something old represents a link with the bride’s family and her old life. Wearing something new symbolizes good fortune and success in a bride’s new life. Wearing something borrowed is meant to bring good luck to the marriage. And finally, something blue represented purity and fidelity.

In ancient times, many of the first marriages were by capture, not choice. When early man felt it was time to take a bride, he would often carry off an unwilling woman to a secret place where relatives wouldn’t find them. While the moon went through all its phases (about 30 days), they hid from the searchers and drank a brew made from honey. Thus, we get the word “honeymoon.”

Since we have crossed the threshold and unbridled a few wedding traditions, we need to now court some questions, because

it’s time to get a little trivial…

1. The white wedding dress was popularized by this royal member.

2. Wedding veils from ancient Rome were what color?

3. This European country started the tradition of the “wedding toast.”

4. A bride places this in her shoe for good luck and wealth.

5. The bride, groom and wedding party line-up and greet the guests. This is called?

6. What is another name for a bachelor party?

7. Where is the most popular destination wedding for U.S. couples?

8. What weather event is considered to be good luck on your wedding day?

9. Cloudy skies and wind supposedly cause a stormy marriage. What does snow signify?

10. As the bride is leaving for the ceremony, it is considered lucky to look in the mirror how many times?

11. It is said that the first person to make a purchase after the ceremony will be what in the new relationship?

12. Before the 14th century brides tossed this, rather than a bouquet, at a wedding reception.

13. Which U.S. president is given credit for popularizing the modern tuxedo?

14. On what day of the week was it common to get married during the 1920s?

15. Who is the last person to be seated before the wedding ceremony begins?

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Sources:

http://www.getmarriedohio.com/misc/traditions.php

http://weddings.pirate-king.com/weddinginfo.htm

http://www.aweddingministers. com/wedding/trivia.htm

http://wwwbrideandgroom.com/weddingarticles/ traditions.asp

Answers:

Answers: 1. Queen Victoria 2. yellow 3. France 4. penny or sixpence 5. a receiving line 6. stag party 7. Las Vegas, Nevada 8. rain 9. fertility and wealth 10. one 11. dominant 12. garter 13. Teddy Roosevelt 14. Wednesday 15. the bride’s mother

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