Traditions

Something old, something new..

Something old, something new

Something borrowed, something blue

And a silver sixpence in your shoe

The rhyme originated in Victorian times although some of customs referred in it are much older.

The something old represents the couples friends who will hopefully remain close during the marriage. Traditionally this was old garter which given to the bride by a happily married woman in the hope that her happiness in marriage would be passed on to the new bride.

Something new symbolises the newly-weds happy and prosperous future.

The something borrowed is often lent by the bride's family and is an item much valued by the family. The bride must return the item to ensure good luck.

The custom of the bride wearing something blue originated in ancient Israel where the bride wore a blue ribbon in her hair to represent fidelity.

The placing of a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe was to ensure wealth in the couples married life. Today some brides substitute a five cent piece in their shoe during the ceremony as silver sixpences are less common.

The Wedding Cake

Cutting the wedding cake is now part of the ritual celebrations at the reception. The couple make the first cut together to symbolize their shared future.

Cakes have been associated with weddings throughout history. The Romans shared a cake during the wedding ceremony itself. This was not the rich fruit-cake we enjoy today. It was a plain confection made from wheat flour, salt and water. The Fijians and some Native American tribes still incorporate cake in their wedding ceremonies.

In Britain, the first cakes were flat and round and contained fruit and nuts which symbolize fertility.

In the past, the custom was to throw many small cakes over the bride in a similar way in which we throw confetti today. A modification of this custom was to crumble cake over the brides head and in some versions to break the cake over the bride's head. In Scotland Oat cakes were used for this purpose. This was done to promote fertility.

The shape of the modern three tiered iced cake is believed to have been inspired by the spire of Saint Bride's Church in the City of London. It is said that unmarried guests who place a piece of wedding cake under their pillow before sleeping will increase there prospects of finding a partner and bridesmaids who do likewise will dream of their future husbands.

The top tier of the cake is often kept by couples for the christening of their first child.

Confetti

Confetti is Italian for sweets which in Italy are thrown over the couple as they emerge from the Church in the same way we use paper confetti. Raisins and nuts may also be used.

Before the use of paper confetti the married couple were showered with flowers, petals, rice or grains. This was to bestow prosperity and fertility on the couple.

Crossing the Threshold

After the wedding the bride must enter the new marital home through the main entrance. It is traditional for the groom to carry the bride over the threshold when they enter for the first time. The reason for this is uncertain. One explanation is that the bride will be visited by bad luck if she falls when entering. An alternative is that the bride will be unlucky if she steps into the new home with the left foot first. The bride can avoid both mishaps by being carried. A third explanation is that it symbolises the old Anglo-Saxon custom of the groom stealing his bride and carrying her off.

Wedding Flowers

The carrying of flowers by the bride has its roots in ancient times when it was believed that strong smelling herbs and spices would ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health.

During Victorian times, flowers took on an additional significance as lovers would send messages to each other using different flowers, with each flower having its own meaning. These associations were soon adopted for the bride's bouquet and are still used today by many brides. The most popular flowers with their traditional meanings are:

Apple Blossom - Better things to come
Camelia - Graditude Carnation - Fascination and love
Chrysanthemum - Red - I love you
Chrysanthemum - White - Truth
Cyclamen - Modesty and shyness
Daffodil - Regard
Daisy - Innocence
Fern - Fascination and sincerity
Flowering Almond - Hope
Forget-me-not - True love and remembrance
Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness
Honeysuckle - Generosity
Hyacinth - Loveliness
Hydrangea - Boastfulness
Iris - Warmth of affection
Ivy - Eternal fidelity
Japonica - Loveliness
Jasmine - Amiability
Lemon Blossom - Fidelity in love
Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence
Lily - Majesty
Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness
Magnolia - Perseverance
Maidenhair - Discretion
Mimosa - Sensitivity
Orange Blossom - Purity and virginity
Peach Blossom - Captive
Rose (red) - Love
Rose (yellow) - Friendship
Rose (coral) - Desire
Rose (peach) - Modesty
Rose (dark pink) - Thankfulness
Rose (pale pink) - Grace
Rose (orange) - Fascination
Rose (white) - Innocence
Rosemary - Remembrance
Snowdrop - Hope
Sweet Pea - Delicate pleasures
Tulip - Love
Veronica - Fidelity
Violet - Faithfulness