The Whys and Wherefores of Wedding Traditions
By: Doris M. Nixon

Why a Diamond?

The diamond was called the Venus stone by the ancients who compared its shining beauty with the planet Venus in the evening sky. Like the goddess, who was dedicated to love, the diamond in time became associated with sweethearts, and its mysterious inner fires of passion. The Greeks called it "adamas"-eternal or unchanging, a declaration as to the depths of their emotions.

Why a Wedding Band?

Wedding bands, symbolizing eternal love by their lack of beginning or end, grew out of the ancient tradition of using circlets of grass to decorate a bride's wrists and ankles. Although not required to validate marriage under a civil law, rings were required in 16 th century by the Council of Trent. The circular shape symbolizes eternity.

Why the Third Finger, Left Hand?

The ancients believed that a special vein, which they called a "vena amoris" or vein of love, ran from the finger directly to the heart. By putting on a fitted ring, the affections were bound in and could never flow out the fingertips! Also, this finger-although not the smallest on the hand-is the weakest and most dependent on the others for help lifting and holding. It seemed to symbolize the young wife supported by the strength of her husband. The "ring" finger has sometimes been on the left hand, sometimes on the right, according to country and custom. Among English-speaking persons, it has been on the left since the edict of Edward VI in 1549.

Why a White Gown?

White is the ceremonial symbol of purity and virtue and hence of maidenhood. It has been so since Biblical times. About 1820 white became popular for formal occasions, although pastels were in vogue until the end of the century. When Queen Victoria popularized white at her own wedding in 1840, it became the official color of brides.

  Why the Bevy of Bridesmaids?

In the old days of marry by capture, a maiden was guarded by her family to prevent seizure, and in later centuries this little drama was enacted as a sort of game at a country weddings. The bridegroom, gaily attired, coming for his bride, was confronted by a bevy of maidens all dressed exactly alike. His part of the play was to detect his true love, "forsaking all others," and bear her away to church. As recently as Victorian times, brides' maidens often wore white dresses and even short bridal veils, looking like the bride themselves. The best friend was designated first bridesmaid. Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor are modern designations in line with our smaller wedding parties of today.

Why "Something Old-Something New"?

Something old: continuity

Something new: optimism, hope

Something borrowed: happiness shared from happily married couples

Something blue: fidelity, love, and purity

Lucky sixpence in shoe: ensures life of fortune

Why A Honeymoon?

Long ago it was a period when the groom, having bought or captured his bride, disappeared with her so that her family could not rescue her. The couple hid for a month (moon) and partook of honeyed wine, called mead, which was thought to have aphrodisiac properties. By the sixteenth century, honeymoon referred less to a time period and more to a feeling. Newlyweds were in the "honey," or full phase of their love.