History of Wedding Traditions

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Wedding Traditions: The Fascinating History Behind Why We Still Do Them

When you go to a wedding, you’re surrounded by traditions… but have you ever wondered why? Where did these customs come from, and why do we still follow them today? As a wedding DJ and officiant who also happens to love history, I dug into some of the most well-known wedding traditions… and their surprising origins. Some traditions are believed to come from different cultures Here are some other traditions explained too

Wearing White

Today it’s hard to imagine a bride not wearing white, but that wasn’t always the case. Before 1840, brides often wore their best dress in any color. Once Queen Victoria of England wore a white wedding gown, the trend spread across Europe and America, becoming the standard we still follow today.

The Veil & Not Seeing the Bride Before the Ceremony

The tradition of not seeing the bride on the wedding day dates back to arranged marriages, when brides were considered part of business deals between families. A veil would cover her face to prevent the groom from backing out if he didn’t approve of her looks. Another theory? Veils were believed to protect brides from evil spirits jealous of their happiness.

The Bouquet

In ancient times, brides carried garlic, herbs, and spices to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. Over time, fragrant flowers replaced the pungent bunches, symbolizing fertility, beauty, and new beginnings. Today, bouquets are more about style, personality, and wedding themes—but the symbolism of beauty and growth remains.

Bridesmaids

Modern bridesmaids are your best friends, but historically, their role was more spiritual protection than party support. Dressed similarly to the bride, bridesmaids were decoys meant to confuse evil spirits or even unwanted suitors. Basically… they were there to “take one for the team.”

The Best Man

Forget about speech-writing…originally, the “Best Man” was chosen for his fighting ability. In the days of arranged marriages, he might have been tasked with retrieving a runaway bride or protecting the groom if the bride’s family objected to the match.

The Ring Bearer & the Pillow

The pillow symbolizes dreams and wishes coming true, while the child who carries it represents innocence, hope, and the couple’s future. The tradition of placing rings on a pillow dates back to Victorian England and carries forward the idea of purity and promise.

The Wedding Cake

In medieval Europe, cakes made of wheat symbolized fertility and prosperity. Guests would break the cake over the bride’s head as a fertility blessing (and you thought cake-smashing was just for fun!). Modern tiered cakes represent unity, with the act of cutting and feeding cake symbolizing teamwork, commitment, and trust.

Saving the Top Tier

Freezing the top tier isn’t just about having stale cake on your first anniversary. Historically, couples saved it for their first child’s christening, which was often expected within a year of marriage.

Tossing the Garter

This originated in England and France, where guests would try to rip off pieces of the bride’s clothing for good luck. To save her dress (and sanity), grooms began tossing a garter as a substitute.

Other Wedding Traditions & Their Origins

  • Throwing Rice or Confetti: Symbolized prosperity, fertility, and good fortune. Today, eco-friendly substitutes like flower petals or bubbles carry on the sentiment.

  • Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold: Believed to protect the bride from evil spirits waiting at the doorway.

  • Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue: A Victorian rhyme symbolizing continuity, optimism, borrowed happiness, and fidelity.

  • Wedding Bells: The sound of bells was believed to scare away evil spirits and bring joy.

  • The Honeymoon: Comes from the ancient custom of drinking “mead” (honey wine) for a month (“moon”) after the wedding to encourage fertility.

Why Do We Still Follow These Traditions?

It’s modern times, and while traditions can be fun, just because your parents or grandparents did something doesn’t mean you have to keep it alive if it’s not your style (looking at you, garter removal). The best weddings reflect you as a couple. Need help planning your day? Check out my blog on how to plan your wedding day.