Wedding Rings
This tradition started in ancient Egypt. The round shape of a ring symbolized eternal love. It is worn on the forth finger of the left hand because they believed that there is a blood vessel that goes directly to the heart.
Bouquet
The bouquet has held many different meanings, most of which depend on what was in the bouquet. Orange blossoms were carried by Saracen brides for fertility. Some carried a mix of herbs and flowers to ward off evil spirits. Bouquets of dill were carried for fertility and eaten after the ceremony to encourage lust.
Bridesmaids
In ancient times, bridesmaids were used to keep the bride safe against evil spirits. They acted as decoys for the spirits by dressing like the bride and were there to confuse the spirits or help deter them to leave the bride be.
Father Giving the Bride Away
The tradition of the father walking the bride down the aisle is meant to show that the father endorses the choice of husbands and is giving his daughter away as a pure bride.
Kissing the Bride
A kiss used to symbolize a legal bond. The kiss at the end of the ceremony was meant to seal the deal on the marriage.
Wedding Cake
In Roman times a cake was made out of wheat for the wedding. It was broken over the brides head for fertility. The guests would eat a piece for good luck, and women would often put a piece under their pillow when sleeping in hopes of finding their own husband.
Throwing Rice
Rice throwing began in the middle ages. Wheat and rice were thrown to symbolize fertility for the couple.
Information from the Times Community Newspapers
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