Wedding Tradition or Just Superstition Part V
Whether you are a superstitious person or not wedding tradition is shrouded in superstition. During the Middle Ages it was believed evil spirits lived among us. It was thought people were particularly susceptible to the misfortune of evil spirits during rites of passage and in order to prevent bad luck people would carry good luck charms or partake in rituals, some of which are still practiced today.
Wedding Tradition or Just Superstition Part I
Wedding Tradition or Just Superstition Part II
Wedding Tradition or Just Superstition Part III
Wedding Tradition or Just Superstition Part IV
Wedding Tradition or Just Superstition Part V
Wedding Tradition or Just Superstition Part VI
The Marriage Proposal
In the past men who wished to marry a lady would send friends and family to meet with the ladies family on his behalf. In Brittany during Medieval times a man would express his love for a woman by leaving a hawthorn branch outside her door, should her feelings not be mutual she would replace the branch with cauliflower. Some of you will remember not so long ago a time when a man would seek the approval of the ladies father first, before he proposed to his beloved. Women were given the right to propose to a man every leap day (29th February). This day was not recognised as being legal under English law and therefore tradition as such was left to one side for the day.
See our Marriage Proposal section
The Engagement Ring
There are those that believe the groom purchased the engagement ring to demonstrate his financial commitment to his lady. The Egyptians took a rather more romantic approach as they believed the engagement band was a symbol of eternal love for one another.
It was thought to be unlucky to wear the wedding ring before the wedding ceremony. It was also believed to bring bad luck if both the wedding ring and the engagement ring were purchased on the same day.
Wedding Ring
The tradition is thought to date back to the Egyptians. The wearing of the ring is a symbol of eternal love. The ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand as it was believed a vein from that finger leads directly to the heart.
Ring Cushion
The ring cushion is also known as a ring bearer pillow. The cushion is carried by either the Chief Bridesmaid or Page boy. Once they have walked to the end of the aisle the Best Man will then lay the rings upon the pillow.
Your Wedding Day
According to superstition it was best to have your wedding on a Wednesday; however today most people get married on a Saturday due to work commitments. It looks like this tradition has fallen in favour of practicality. Not even the old rhyme has derailed the popularity of weekend weddings.
Marry on a:
Monday: Brides will be Healthy.
Tuesday: Brides will be Wealthy.
Wednesday: Brides do best of all.
Thursday: Brides will suffer losses.
Friday: Brides will suffer crosses.
Saturday: Brides will have no luck at all.
Your Wedding Month
There are also superstitions associated with choosing which month to marry in, give by this old rhyme:
Marry when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true
When February birds do mate, you may wed or dread your fate
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know
Marry in April when you can, joy for maiden and for man
Marry in the month of May, you will surely rue the day
Marry when June roses blow, over land and sea you'll go
They who in July do wed, must labour always for their bread
Whoever wed in August be, many a change are sure to see
Marry in September's shine, your living will be rich and fine
If in October you do marry, love will come, but riches tarry
If you wed in bleak November, only joy will come, remember
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last
What’s in a Name?
If a woman married a man with a surname which began with the first letter of her own name then it was thought to be unlucky according to the old rhyme:
To change the name and not the letter
Is to change for the worst and not the better
Brides today will either choose to take their husbands surname, keep their surname, change their title or change their name to a double-barrelled surname.
