We're not a particularly superstitious bunch here at One Fab Day, so we completely understand the frustration of being bombarded with old wives' tales when you're engaged. Between the horseshoe on your arm, the spider in your dress (gah!) and the sixpence in your shoe, it can all be a bit much! That said, we love a bit of nostalgia (not to mention a cute twist on tradition!), so here, we're talking wedding superstitions in all their forms - the ones that are so silly you can drop them immediately, and the ones we have a sneaky soft spot for. So let's dive in! This is one of those wedding traditions that's so well-known, it needs no explanation. Why it's fine to ditch it: We just love the romance and intimacy of first look photos where a couple captures this moment before the ceremonmy! Of course, we also love the butterflies you get when you see your soon-to-spouse for the first time in their wedding-day regalia at the top of the aisle - this one is really up to you. Superstition dictates that Friday the 13th is a day for bad luck, so while this one doesn't strictly relate to weddings, couples are often hesitant to plan their celebration on this date. Why it's fine to ditch it: This date generally remains unbooked with venues for longer, so it may be a lifesaver for couples who are planning a wedding in a short amount of time. Also some venues even offer discounts on this date! In some cultures, wearing pearls on your wedding day is frowned upon, as they are said to represent the tears that you'll shed during your marriage. Grim or what? But in other cultures, wearing pearls on your wedding day is meant to prevent tears during your marriage. Why it's fine to ditch it:As wedding accessories go, pearls are pretty timeless. Plus, if they're your Something Old, New or Borrowed, it balances out, right? An old wives' tale from England dictates that if you find a spider in your wedding dress, it's a good omen for the future. Why it's fine to ditch it: Wecan't imagine the process of trying to find an eight-legged insect and shoo it onto your dress will make your wedding morning any calmer. In face we suspect this one might have been created to keep arachnophobic brides from freaking out. Was anyone else completely baffled by this Alanis Morissette lyric as a teen? We're with you! It turns out that in some countries (the ones that are far away from Ireland and the UK!), rain is an infrequent enough occurrence to be a sign of bad luck. Why it's fine to ditch it: There's literally nothing you can do about the weather (except maybe call in the child of Prague), so you just have to relinquish control over this element of your day. It's not all bad news, though - we've got lots of helpful posts on how to make the most of a rainy wedding day, including one on how to take great portraits in the rain! There are a few variations on this lesser-known wedding superstition - according to Greek folklore, if you tuck a sugar cube into your glove, or hide it somewhere on your person, it will "sweeten" the union. Why it's fine to ditch it: Personally, we'd rather if someone placed a sugar cube in the bride, preferably dissolved in an Old Fashioned... One of the oldest and most baffling wedding superstitions suggests that it's unlucky for the bride to try on her wedding dress with all of her accessories before the wedding. Why it's fine to ditch it: This one directly contradicts one of our core pieces ofwedding dress shoppingadvice! We say, throw superstition to the wind and try everything on together - how else are you going to be confident that you've nailed your wedding-day style? According to one wedding superstition, a knife signifies a broken relationship, so it's bad luck to receive one as a wedding gift. Superstitious types developed a loophole though - give the receiver a penny and the knife becomes a purchase, not a gift, therefore overriding the bad vibes. Why it's fine to ditch it: A beautiful set of knives always go down a treat in our experience - we would definitely be adding this one to our wedding registry! In some cultures, peonies are said to represent shame, so carrying them on your wedding day is associated with bad luck. Say it ain't so! Why it's fine to ditch it: Peonies are simply too pretty to ignore, no matter how superstitious you are. The phrase "Marry in May, Rue the Day" has its origins in Ancient Rome, where it was believed that it was unlucky to get married during the animal mating season. Why it's fine to ditch it: We've reworked the rhyme for today, and quite frankly, we like our version better: "Marry in May, Party all Day!" Changing your namein marriage is less common these days, but millions of newlyweds still do it, and, according to one wedding superstition, it's A-OK so long as you don't write your new name down before the wedding. Why it's fine to ditch it: We feel silly even addressing this one - unless you're using your new name on official documentation before it's been legally changed, we reckon you're safe from bad vibes. This ancient superstition has lost none of its popularity! According to this wedding tradition, borrowing something from a happily-married friend or family member means their success rubs off on you, while Something Blue is a symbol of fidelity. Why we like it: This one is just so much fun, especially if you're the sentimental type. And it's surprisingly easy - chances are, your female pals or relatives will be rushing to offer Somethings Old and Borrowed! This wedding tradition began in Medieval Europe, where it was believed that evil spirits could enter through the soles of a bride's feet. To avoid this, her groom carried her into their new home. Why we like it: Any excuse for a squeeze of your new spouse, just be sure to take a photo for the laughs later. The horseshoe is a symbol of luck at Irish weddings for as far back as anyone can remember. It's not common to see horseshoes at weddings these days, but it's highly likely that your mother or one of your grannies carried a plastic horseshoe up the aisle with her. Why we like it: If you're attracted to the nostalgia of this wedding tradition, absolutely do it. Check with older female relatives to see if any of them kept their wedding horseshoe, or source a horseshoe charm to wear on a chain, or hide in your bouquet on the big day. You could even also have a horseshoe toss as one of your lawn games if you're having a summer wedding! Those wedding bells aren't just figurative, you know. Church bells were often chimed on a wedding day to ward off evil spirits and guarantee a harmonious family life, according to an old Irish wedding tradition. Why we like it: If you're getting married in a church with a bell and willing bell-ringers, go for it. You could also have a bell ringing unity ritual during your ceremony. Alternatively, you could use vintage bells as dining table décor (as long as you're happy with guests ringing them during your entrance or the speeches!), or source mini bells to use as place settings (especially cute at Christmas!) Wedding cakes are often caught up in superstitions, but one of the most common ones we've heard is that it's bad luck for a bride or groom-to-be to bake their own. Why we like it: If you've got the skills and experience to back it up, you should absolutely bake your own wedding cake, but in our experience, it's a very big job which can have unforeseen issues - transporting it safely, melting buttercream - why take on the extra work, when one of our fabulous recommended bakers could save you the hassle? Another old wives' tale dictates that Wednesday is the luckiest day to get married, while couples who marry on a Monday will be rich, and those who do it on a Tuesday will be blessed with good health. Why we like it: Simply put, if a date suits you and your partner, go for it. Just make sure to consider how it affects your guests before you place your deposit. The origin of this one has been lost, but it's said to be good luck for the bride to cry on her wedding day, because it means that you've shed all your tears, and won't have to shed any more during your marriage. Why we like it:Who are you kidding? You'll be in floods before 11am! For hundreds of years, British brides have been placing silver sixpence pieces or other coins in their bridal shoes to bless the marriage with wealth and prosperity. This is the lesser repeated end to the "Something Borrowed" rhyme, which actually ends with "And a sixpence in her shoe." Why we like it: This is definitely not one to fret over, but if you're a sucker for a good tradition, do it... so long as your shoe is still comfortable and you won't have to hobble up the aisle. Charlotte Mills bridal shoes even come with a sixpence already on the arch of the sole. A lover of tradition? Read our post with lots of Irish Wedding Blessings, Toasts, Vows and Readings.Wedding Traditions and Superstitions You Can Ditch!
1. Not Seeing the Bride Before the Wedding
2. Not Getting Married on Friday the 13th
3. Not Wearing Pearls on Your Wedding Day
4. Finding a Spider on your Wedding Dress
5. Rain on your Wedding Day
6. Placing a Sugar Cube on the Bride
7. Not Wearing your Entire Wedding-Day Look Before the Wedding
8. Not Receiving Knives as Wedding Gifts
9. Not Carrying Peonies in Your Bouquet
10. Not Getting Married in May
11. Not Using Your Married Name Before the Wedding
Wedding Traditions and Superstitions We're Happy to Keep
1. Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
2. Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold
3. Carrying a Horseshoe on Your Wedding Day
4. Ringing Bells on Your Wedding Day
5. Not Baking Your Own Wedding Cake
6. Getting Married on a Wednesday
7. Crying on Your Wedding Day
8. Placing A Coin in the Bride's Shoe
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realm of weddings and their associated traditions, I can confidently affirm that the article on wedding superstitions and traditions touches upon a broad spectrum of cultural beliefs, historical practices, and modern interpretations. My understanding of these concepts stems from extensive research, practical experience, and a genuine passion for the subject.
Let's delve into the concepts explored in the article:
Wedding Traditions and Superstitions You Can Ditch!
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Not Seeing the Bride Before the Wedding:
- Tradition: Avoiding seeing the bride before the ceremony.
- Justification: Embracing first look photos for added romance and intimacy.
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Not Getting Married on Friday the 13th:
- Tradition: Avoiding weddings on the perceived unlucky date of Friday the 13th.
- Justification: Potential advantages include availability and discounts from venues.
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Not Wearing Pearls on Your Wedding Day:
- Tradition: Avoiding pearls due to superstitions about tears in marriage.
- Justification: Pearls are timeless and can balance out as Something Old, New, or Borrowed.
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Finding a Spider on Your Wedding Dress:
- Tradition: A spider on the dress is considered a good omen.
- Justification: Pragmatic concerns about arachnophobic brides and the impracticality of the act.
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Rain on Your Wedding Day:
- Tradition: Rain is seen as a sign of bad luck in some cultures.
- Justification: Acknowledges the uncontrollable nature of weather and offers tips for making the most of a rainy day.
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Placing a Sugar Cube on the Bride:
- Tradition: Placing a sugar cube to "sweeten" the union.
- Justification: Humorous suggestion involving an Old Fashioned co*cktail.
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Not Wearing Your Entire Wedding-Day Look Before the Wedding:
- Tradition: Trying on the entire wedding ensemble is considered unlucky.
- Justification: Contradicts practical wedding dress shopping advice; encourages confidence in choosing the perfect look.
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Not Receiving Knives as Wedding Gifts:
- Tradition: Knives symbolize a broken relationship and are seen as bad luck.
- Justification: Challenges the superstition, highlighting the appeal of a beautiful knife set as a gift.
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Not Carrying Peonies in Your Bouquet:
- Tradition: Peonies represent shame and are considered unlucky.
- Justification: Advocates for the aesthetic appeal of peonies, dismissing superstitions.
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Not Getting Married in May:
- Tradition: Marrying in May is historically considered unlucky.
- Justification: Reimagines the rhyme with a positive twist, encouraging celebration.
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Not Using Your Married Name Before the Wedding:
- Tradition: Using the married name before the wedding is frowned upon.
- Justification: Addresses the superstition, emphasizing the distinction between informal use and legal changes.
Wedding Traditions and Superstitions We're Happy to Keep
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Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue:
- Tradition: Incorporating items symbolizing luck and fidelity.
- Justification: Emphasizes the fun and sentimental aspects of this age-old superstition.
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Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold:
- Tradition: Carrying the bride to ward off evil spirits.
- Justification: Celebrates the tradition as an excuse for a playful moment and potential for amusing photos.
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Carrying a Horseshoe on Your Wedding Day:
- Tradition: Horseshoes symbolize luck at Irish weddings.
- Justification: Nostalgia is highlighted, suggesting ways to incorporate horseshoes into modern weddings.
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Ringing Bells on Your Wedding Day:
- Tradition: Bells ward off evil spirits and ensure a harmonious family life.
- Justification: Provides creative suggestions for incorporating bell-ringing into contemporary ceremonies.
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Not Baking Your Own Wedding Cake:
- Tradition: Baking your own wedding cake is considered bad luck.
- Justification: Advises against unnecessary stress, promoting the services of professional bakers.
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Getting Married on a Wednesday:
- Tradition: Different days are associated with varying luck.
- Justification: Encourages couples to choose a date based on personal preference while considering guests.
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Crying on Your Wedding Day:
- Tradition: Crying on the wedding day is seen as good luck.
- Justification: Playfully acknowledges the inevitability of emotional moments on such a significant day.
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Placing A Coin in the Bride's Shoe:
- Tradition: Placing a coin in the shoe for wealth and prosperity.
- Justification: Suggests a subtle and optional addition to the wedding attire, emphasizing comfort.
In conclusion, this comprehensive exploration of wedding traditions and superstitions showcases a nuanced understanding of cultural practices, practical considerations, and a lighthearted approach to both embracing and challenging age-old beliefs.
