12 Wedding Traditions You Should Know About

Normally weddings are full of protocols, conventions and traditions. Some of which we are already so accustomed to, we don’t think about it, we just do it! We don’t stop to reflect about their motive or origin, such as the bride wearing white. So we decided to investigate wedding traditions and we chose these 12 wedding traditions you should know about that involve your big day! Enjoy!

1. The reason the engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand is because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.

2. The sapphire in a wedding ring means matrimonial happiness according to the symbolic language of jewels.

3. The bride wearing a veil is a tradition that comes from the Ancient Greeks and Romans who thought the veil protected the bride from evil spirits.

4. The purpose of brides wearing something old on their wedding day is to signify continuity with the past. And wearing something blue represents purity, fidelity, and love.

5. In ancient Rome celebrators use to break a loaf of bread over a bride’s head for fertility’s sake. In today’s world this tradition translated to a wedding cake.

6. All over the world, different societies — including Celtic, Hindu and Egyptian weddings –have the bride and groom’s hands tied together to demonstrate the couple’s commitment to each other and their new bond as a married couple (giving us the popular phrase “tying the knot”)!

7. In many cultures, the groom historically often kidnapped the bride, and the groom’s friends would help him, leading to the modern-day groomsmen. At the alter, the groom always stood on the bride’s right side so his right hand—or his sword hand—would be free to fight/defend a jealous rival.

8. Guests in ancient times would tear off part of the bride’s gown as tokens of good luck, leading to the tradition of the bride throwing both her garter and her bouquet.

9. The tradition of maids dressing exactly like the bride comes from the Romans. Back then, they believed that malevolent spirits could curse the marrying couple. So the brides being dressed just like the bride would confuse the evil spirits’ endeavor and it would ultimately bring luck to their marriage. 

10. Another tradition related to evil spirits is why the groom carries his newly wife through the door. This way he is protecting her from the malicious souls that are waiting below.

11. The month of June is so popular because the Roman Goddess Juno is the “mother” of marriage and childbirth.

12. The term honeymoon comes from the early Norse tradition where the bride and groom use to hide after the wedding ceremony and a close family member would provide them with a glass of honey wine for a whole moon cycle. Hence the term honeymoon.

There you have it! These are our favorite 12 wedding traditions you should know about!

Thanks for reading! Go to our General Wedding FAQ and our Engagement Session FAQ posts for more information about how to prepare for your photo sessions. I also have other posts that can help you in your wedding preparations in our Journal Page. Check out My List of The Best Savannah Wedding Vendors, 12 Wedding Traditions You Should Know About, Curious Wedding Facts From Around the Globe and many others!