Some want it, others try to get around it somehow. The most important wedding customs briefly and concisely summarized.
Something old, something new, …
In the English-speaking world there is hardly a wedding at which the sentence cannot be heard: "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue!" But what is this custom about?
That Old stands for consistency, that New is considered a symbol of the future as a wife, something Borrowed stands for friendship and that Blueness relates to color psychology and is therefore a symbol of loyalty.
Mirror Mirror on the wall
The last stitch
The wedding dress should be sewn until the wedding day and if it is finished much too early, the wedding planner can be happy, but apparently it does not bring luck. If you bought your dress in a shop, it is best to have a detail such as a bow or button sewn on on the wedding day.
In addition, the bride shouldn't sew her dress herself, because as the saying goes: "So many stitches, so many tears!"
The hen party
The hen party is a very widespread custom, but actually has nothing to do with the bachelorette party. The guests smash crockery (china, flower pots) they brought with them in front of the bride and groom's front door. These shards are supposed to bring luck to both of them and the noise that is made is supposed to keep the evil spirits away.
After that, the bride and groom must sweep up the broken pieces together, as a sign that they will solve any problems that may arise in the marriage together. Under no circumstances should you smash glass, because that stands for luck and happiness, after all, you don't want to destroy it. In addition, you have to make sure that there is no mirror underneath, because it is well known that destroying a mirror brings 7 years of bad luck.
Flower power
After the wedding, the flower girls sprinkle petals for the bride and groom. This sprinkling of flowers is said to attract the gods of fertility.
The gate symbol
When leaving the church, the bride and groom often have to pass through a symbolic gate. The focus here is the rite of passage, the gate as a symbol for the transition from one stage of life to the next.
The bridal bouquet
The bridal bouquet not only adorns the bride, but is also full of symbols. Traditionally, it is the groom's job to get the bouquet and deliver it to the bride in front of the church. After the ceremony, the unmarried women gather behind the bride, who then throws the bouquet into the crowd. In the case of same-sex partnerships, one of the two can also join.
The flowers also have their meaning: lilies and white roses are supposed to symbolize the virginity of the bride. Fresh, fragrant flowers (since the Renaissance) have been used to whitewash the bad body odors of the wedding party. Myrtle branches represent the innocence of the bride. They are also the flowers of the gods and represent peace, tranquility, happiness and fertility.
The wedding candle
The candle stands as a symbol for the love of the married couple. Usually the name of the bride and groom, a saying and the date of the wedding are noted on the wedding candle. After the wedding, the candle is blessed and lit. In addition, she should stand burning at the bridal table during the feast. The tradition has also established itself that the candle is lit on birthdays, wedding days, or after quarrels.
The tearing of the bridal veil
The veil represents virginity and should be removed before the wedding night. In the past, the bridal veil was torn so that the bride and groom would be given eternal happiness and many children. Today this has been changed somewhat by having wedding guests tie ribbons and tulle bows on the wedding car, which symbolize the veil.
Rice, rice, baby
As you might have guessed, this custom comes from the Asian region! If the bride and groom have had a bachelorette party, hen party and wedding ceremony, acquaintances and relatives stand in front of the church or the registry office and throw rice at both of them. In Asia, rice is not only an important staple food, but also stands for happiness and fertility. The bride and groom should not lack food, children or happiness.
The kidnapping of the bride
This custom, which is still practiced today and is often less popular, has its origins in the Middle Ages, when the nobility could claim the right to the first night. Female subordinates were picked up, that is, kidnapped, and then deflowered by their master.
Nowadays the bride is usually kidnapped by a group from the wedding party to a nearby pub. The bill has to be paid by the searching groom and best man.
A little hint: Keep an eye on the bridal bouquet! Because once the bridal bouquet has disappeared, the bride is already over the mountains.
Cutting the cake together
The cutting of the cake symbolizes the cohesion of the bride and groom in their marriage. It is also interesting who has their hand up when cutting the cake, because this person will also "wear their pants" in marriage.
Carrying the bride over the threshold
The groom carries the bride across the threshold with a swing. This is to keep the evil spirits who dwell under the doorstep from destroying the young happiness.
The log saws
This is a test in which the newlyweds' understanding of harmony is checked. The bride and groom must try to saw a thick tree trunk as synchronously as possible by pushing and pulling. Depending on how well or badly it works, information should be given about how the bride and groom will deal with conflicts and problems.
The morning gift
The morning after the wedding, the bride and groom give each other a special gift. This custom used to be seen as financial security for the bride so that she shouldn't worry. Today, in most cases, they are pieces of jewelry.
It is said to bring good luck when the groom hides the gift under the bride's pillow.
In the meantime, however, it also happens that the groom presents the gift on the wedding day so that the bride can wear the necklace, bracelet or earrings on the wedding day.
