Wedding Traditions
It’s June, the most popular month for weddings. What makes June so popular for weddings?
First, the month is named for the goddess Juno, protector of women, especially in marriage and childbearing. A wedding in Juno’s month provides a providential start.
The second reason comes from the Celtic calendar.
On the Cross-Quarter Day of Beltane, May 1st, young couples would pair off to court for 3 months then be wed on the next Cross-Quarter Day, which was Lammas Day, August 1. Impatient couples shortened that to mid-June, and thus June became the month of weddings.
Another contributing factor is June’s pleasant weather, which makes it easier for guests to travel to your wedding.
Sunday used to be the most popular wedding day until the Puritans strict adherence to no festiveness on the Sabbath stopped that.
In the United States, Wednesday used to be considered the luckiest day for weddings. Friday was avoided as the “hangman’s day.” Now Saturdays are by far the busiest day for weddings.
Brides seem to ignore the old rhyme:
“Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday best of all; Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all.”
Wedding Party Traditions
Traditionally, only an unmarried woman could be the maid of honor, and only the brother, best friend, or father of the groom could be the best man.
In the past, bridesmaids were used as “stand-ins” for the bride to protect her from evil spirits. They would look and dress much like the bride to fool the spirits until the wedding.
Another theory is that bridesmaids were necessary as witnesses at a wedding. That one comes from the fact that ancient Rome required at least ten witnesses to get married.
Still, another reason for the bridesmaid and best man was to help capture a runaway bride or recover a bride kidnapped by a rejected suitor. They also made sure she got to the church on time and kept hostile family members away.
These days, bridesmaids usually help the bride with dressing. The groomsmen usher guests to their seats, and the best man carries the ring and offers a toast at the reception.
Flower girls were once meant to protect the bride from the Devil with their shield of virginity. Today, a girl, a boy, or even a dog can be seen as the ring bearer and/or flower girl.
Why Be Given Away?
This tradition evolved from the days when men bought brides from their fathers. Today, brides may ask either or both parents to walk them down the aisle. Or not.
The Wedding Vows
The declaration of vows symbolizes the moment when a couple officially becomes one, though the wording varies by religion. Or couples can write their own vows.
The most often used vow is the traditional version.
Wedding Rings
At most wedding ceremonies, the exchange of rings follows the vows and seals those promises. The ring symbolizes the unbroken circle of love, and, at many ceremonies, more vows are spoken as rings are exchanged.
While at some religious ceremonies only one partner receives a ring, many couples choose to have a double-ring ceremony. A practice that became popular in the United States after World War II.
Throwing Rice
Wedding guests usually toss rice or birdseed as the couple leaves the ceremony. The practice predates Christianity and signifies the guests’ and family’s wishes for good fortune, a prosperous marriage, and children if they desire.
Interesting that the ancient Celts tossed grains to appease spirits and ask for blessings and fertility for the couple. Ancient Romans used wheat. Italians toss candies or sugared nuts. The Polish use rice and place coins at the couple’s feet to ensure prosperity. In Morocco, it’s dried dates or figs, and in Eastern India, the tradition is a rain of flower petals.
Why A Diamond Engagement Ring?
Before 1477, engagement rings held different stones. The diamond engagement ring was first used in Austria when Archduke Maximilian presented Mary of Burgendy with a diamond. After that, the diamond became the symbol of love.
