Why Brides Wear Veils
Wedding ceremonies are steeped in ancient traditions and old wives superstitions that have lost their popular meaning today. Things like bridal veils and white wedding dresses are commonly followed traditions still today, but most of us don’t know what they really mean and why we still do them. So, consider some of these bridal traditions and superstitions to make these wedding practices more meaningful to you on your special day.
Why do brides wear bridal veils? The bridal veil was meant to symbolize the subordination of the wife to the husband. Bridal veils were originally red or yellow in color and they covered the bride from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. It is considered bad luck for the groom to see his bride beneath the bridal veil until after the wedding because in some cultures the man only sees his new wife for the first time ever once he lifts her veil. In these arranged marriages, the woman was veiled completely until her wedding day so her intended husband wouldn’t run away if he didn’t like what he saw before the ceremony.
Why do brides wear bridal handkerchiefs? Farmers once thought that the tears of a bride on her wedding day were good luck. It was thought that these tears would bring well-needed water to their crops, so bridal handkerchiefs were used to collect the lucky tears. Other cultures thought that it was good luck to cry on your wedding day because it would mean you would never cry again during your marriage. Many families keep an unwashed bridal handkerchief and pass it down from mother to daughter on their wedding day to share the love and joy that is felt on each generation’s wedding day.
Why do bridesmaids and groomsmen dress alike? Marrying couples used to walk through the streets of their small towns from their homes to the church along with all the members of the wedding party. Afraid that a curse would be placed on the bride or the groom by a witch or a former love, the attendants would dress identical to the bride and groom in order to disguise their true identities. Having successfully made it to the wedding without a curse, the bride and groom could now live happily ever after.
Why do we wear our wedding ring on a specific finger? People used to believe that there was a vein that ran from your left hand ring finger to the heart and by placing a ring there it symbolized eternal love and commitment. In some cultures, the engagement ring is worn on this finger, but during the wedding ceremony it is moved to the right hand.
