• The cutting of the wedding cake by the bride & groom symbolizes the couple’s unity & shared future.
• The tradition of having the bridal party dress alike was started with the hopes that any mischevious spirits would be confused & go away.
• The tradition of wearing a veil has a similar origin. Originally it was supposed to fool evil spirits by disguising the bride. Later, the veil came to symbolize modesty & chastity.
• The custom of throwing rice at the couple symbolizes fertility. However, most people today have chosen to throw confetti, rose petals or blow bubbles for environmental reasons.
• Tradition dictates the new wife must enter her home by the main door, & to avoid bad luck, must never trip or fall - hence the custom that a bride should be “carried over the threshold”.

A Little More Modern

At more modern wedding receptions, a new tradition calls for the best man to auction the garter instead of tossing it. The best man carries a hat around the reception site & the guests put dollar bills in it. Someone acts as auctioneer to count the money & after a specified time has elapsed, the best man gives the garter to the last person to put the money in the hat

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Silver Sixpence in her Shoe.

This rhyme originated in Victorian times. "Something Old" signifies that the couple's friends will stay with them.   In one version of the tradition the "Something Old" was an old garter, which was given to the bride by a happily married woman so that the new bride would also enjoy a happy marriage. "Something New" looks to the future for health, happiness, & success. "Something Borrowed" is an opportunity for the bride's family to give her something as a token of their love (it must be returned to ensure Good Luck), & "Something Blue" is thought lucky because blue represents fidelity & constancy.
The custom began in ancient Israel where brides wore a blue ribbon in their hair to symbolize their fidelity.  A sixpence was placed in the shoe to bring the couple wealth in their married life.  Some brides still place a penny in their shoe during the marriage ceremony.

More New Trends

A wonderful, moving new trend is to face the congregation during the ceremony (as opposed to the traditional stance of having your back to them).   A new reception trend is the replacement of the receiving line.  A new, more relaxed way to perform this duty is for the bride, groom & the wedding party to make their way around the room, speaking to guests who are seated at their tables.

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