Andrea’s knowledge of wedding customs and culture from around the world has come from 36 years of experience in couture fashion. Every wonder where modern-day wedding customs came from? Here is our list of wedding folklore and facts that have been collected over the years. Have one to add? Let us know what your wedding customs are in your family—we will add them to the list!
LADY LUCK?
Ancient Romans studied pig intestines to determine the luckiest time to marry.
Hindu tradition states rain on your wedding day is good luck.
Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day for good luck.
Middle Eastern brides have henna painted on their hands and feet to protect themselves from the evil eye.
Peas Please! Peas are thrown at Czech newlyweds instead of rice.
A Swedish bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her mother in each shoe to ensure that she’ll never do without.
A Finnish bride traditionally went door-to-door collecting gifts in a pillowcase, accompanied by an older married man who represented long marriage.
Moroccan women take a milk bath to purify themselves before their wedding ceremony.
In Holland, a pine tree is planted outside the newlyweds’ home as a symbol of fertility and luck.
According to Greek culture, if you put a sugar cube in your love the sugar will sweeten your union.
Find a spider in your wedding dress? No worries…the English believe a spider found in a wedding dress means good luck.
In English tradition, Wednesday is considered the “best day” to marry. Interestingly though, Monday is considered the best day for wealth and Tuesday the best day for health.
Ever wonder where “carrying the bride over the threshold came from? Tradition states that the groom should carry the bride across the threshold to protect her from the evil spirits below.
Although to most of us the most popular day of the week for weddings is Saturday—according to English folklore it is actually the unluckiest day for a wedding.
…IT RINGS A BELL…
A sapphire in a wedding ring signifies marital happiness.
Bad luck because it is shaped like a tear, pearls should never be part of a wedding ring.
One of history’s earliest engagement rings was given to Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII…she was two years old at the time!
17 tons of gold are made into wedding rings each year.
Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was thought that the main vein in that finger led directly to the heart.
About 70% of brides worldwide wear the traditional diamond ring on the fourth finger of their left hand.
Diamonds set in gold or silver became popular as rings among wealthy Venetians toward the end of the fifteenth century.
Snake rings dotted with ruby eyes were popular wedding bands in Victorian England because the coils winding into a circle symbolized eternity.
Aquamarine represents marital harmony and is said to ensure a long, happy marriage.
Want some more? Check out more Fashion Facts here but not before you do tell us your family’s customs…!
Andrea's Fashions 