Marriage is a milestone event in many people’s lives and the wedding ceremony has been celebrated in cultures across the globe for millennia. This truth makes weddings full of superstitions that are rooted in ancient myths around luck, love, and happiness as well as ways to avoid starting your life together with a bad omen.

Today, old wedding superstitions are often followed by couples for the fun of it, yet for others these common wedding myths are taken seriously. So, what is the history of wedding superstitions and should you follow them? Let’s explore popular wedding superstitions, their meanings, and whether they still hold significance today.

The Origins of Wedding Superstitions

So, where do wedding superstitions come from anyway? Wedding traditions and superstitions date back centuries, often tied to religious beliefs, folklore, and cultural traditions. Many of these wedding customs were originally created to protect the couple from bad luck or evil spirits at a time when these things were taken very seriously.

These ancient origins mean that when we are looking at the meaning of wedding superstitions we are looking at customs that have evolved over a very long period of time. Some of these became common wedding luck traditions that are meant to ensure a long and happy marriage. Still, others evolved into bad luck wedding traditions that are meant to be avoided. Over the centuries, these traditions have become part of wedding culture, even if people don’t fully believe in them anymore, or even know how they came to be so commonly tied to weddings.

Common Wedding Superstitions and Their Meanings

1. Why Can’t the Groom See the Bride before the Wedding?

This wedding superstition originated centuries ago from arranged marriages and was meant to prevent second thoughts on a marriage that was not solely up to the bride and groom.

A modern take often involves couples opting for “first looks” to capture emotional moments before the ceremony.

Read More: Wedding Planner Versus The Day-of Coordinator

7. Wedding Ring Superstitions

An exchange of rings is a common part of many wedding ceremonies, and the tradition comes with many wedding ring superstitions, including:

• Dropping the ring during the ceremony can release evil spirits.
• Wearing the ring before the ceremony causes bad luck
• A too tight fitting ring can show that there is jealousy in the relationship
• A too loose fitting ring can show a shaky relationship without a strong foundation

3. “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue”

This Old English rhyme is often connected to preparing a bride for her wedding day, but what is the meaning of “something old, something new?”

Traditionally it was meant that these items given to the bride were charms that brought her good luck for her future marriage. “Something old” is meant to connect her to her past and offer continuity into her future. “Something new” is a sign of optimism for the couple starting their new life together. “Something borrowed” symbolizes happiness given by those close to her. While “something blue” is a symbol of love, purity, and fidelity.

This tradition and the items given to the bride can be quite sentimental, like a family heirloom or a special piece of jewelry. It can often be a way for those closest to the bride to share in her big day in a special way. Many brides still follow the tradition for these reasons but often add their own personal twists.

Read More: How to Make a More Personalized Wedding Theme

4. Brides Wearing Veils

Although wedding veils are common attire for brides, the origins of the wedding veil superstition is not as commonly known.

This tradition grew out of ancient superstitions that the bride needed to be hidden from evil spirits or unwanted suitors until she was officially married to her groom.

Today, the veil is more about an aesthetic tradition than a superstitious one.

5. Throwing Rice (or Other Items) at the Couple

The idea of throwing rice or other items, usually some type of food, at a newly married couple is found across many cultures and can be seen as a common part of many wedding celebrations. But why do people throw rice at weddings?

The tradition is meant to symbolize fertility, prosperity, and good fortune, but for many modern weddings rice has been thrown over, so to speak, for other items to shower on the newlyweds, such as flower petals, confetti, bubbles, birdseed, or sparklers.

6. Rain on Your Wedding Day

Answering the question, “Is rain on your wedding day good luck or bad luck?” depends on what culture you subscribe to. In some it is seen as bad luck, but in many it is considered a symbol of cleansing and good fortune, so it is seen as good luck.

It can also be seen through the lens of the saying, “a wet knot is harder to untie,” which suggests a stronger marriage if that knot is tied on a rainy day.

7. Avoiding Pearls

This wedding superstition can leave brides asking, “Should you wear pearls on your wedding day?” And the answer is like a lot of wedding superstitions, “it depends.”

For some people, pearls can represent tears and wearing them on your wedding day could lead to sadness in marriage. Yet, others see pearls as a sign of wisdom and protection, which could lead to the conclusion that wearing pearls on your wedding day means your marriage will have a wise foundation and remain protected for a long time.

Wedding Superstitions from Around the World

Most cultures around the world celebrate weddings and marriage. With these celebrations many wedding superstitions from different cultures have evolved too, often with their own unique twists.

Some of these unique wedding traditions from around the world include:

• India: Henna designs on the bride’s hands protect her from evil spirits.
• China: Couples choose lucky wedding dates based on astrology.
• Greece: A bride places a sugar cube in her glove to ensure a sweet marriage.
• Mexico: A lasso ritual binds the couple together in unity.
• Italy: The couple breaking a glass together symbolizes their good fortune.

Read More: How to Plan a Perfect Multicultural Wedding

Wedding Superstitions: Follow Tradition or Make Your Own?

It is almost impossible to plan a wedding and not run into the superstitions and traditions that surround them. As one of life’s biggest milestones, everyone has an opinion on how you should celebrate. Just remember that while superstitions can add fun and tradition to your wedding, they are not meant to create stress or fear. At the end of the day, it is your wedding and it is between you and your soon to be spouse to have the day that fits your love and commitment to one another.

Remember that you are also free to reinterpret old customs in a modern way, as many contemporary couples do. The best approach is to discuss these superstitions with your fiancé and figure out what is important to you as a couple. Keep the traditions that feel meaningful to you and let go of the rest.

Read More: Essential Tips for Selecting the Perfect Outdoor Wedding Venue

Wedding Superstitions and Your Big Day

Wedding superstitions have been passed down for centuries, but they don’t have to dictate how you celebrate your wedding. Whether you embrace them, ignore them, or modernize them, your wedding should reflect what matters most to you. When it comes to your big day, the real magic is in the love you share and not in the superstitions you follow.

Contact The Lumber Exchange to discover a magical venue to celebrate the love you share.