CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
Most bridal traditions stem from superstitions whose true meaning has been lost in the mists of time. In the main they were designed to drive away evil spirits that might put a blight on the proceedings, especially during rituals such as the wedding ceremony. These evil spirits were reckoned to be jealous of the couples' happiness and waiting to attack.
Maybe today these have been replaced by ex-partners and future-in-laws!
The stag party was originally intended to make so much noise and rowdiness that it drove of the evil spirits.
The tradition of ringing the church bells or having a gun salute stems from the same source.
Bridesmaids and ushers were introduced to confuse the evil spirits, it was felt that if several people were dressed the same then it would confuse the evil spirits.
The brides veil is also a ruse to protect her from the evil eye, it also symbolises her removal from her parents protection.
Many brides include orange blossom in their bouquets, the evergreen leaves are a token of ever lasting love while the flowers symbolise chastitiy and purity. This was popular with the saracens back in Crusader times.
Horseshoes bring good luck, this is because their shape represents the moon and is therefore a fertility symbol.
The bride should never make her own cake! it is unlucky! The fruit cake represent fertility and brings good luck to all who eat it.
The throwing of rice represents fertility, an old age custom was to throw all kinds of foods and flowers at the happy couple.
Decorated going-away cars stems from times when brides attendants would decorate the wedding bed.
Different colours for different decorations had different meanings red=justice, blue=constancy, green=youth, yellow=honour or joy, gold=gaiety, straw-colour=plenty and flesh colour= lust!
The throwing of the bouquet in modern times has replaced a time when the bride would throw a shoe or stocking over her shoulder.
Shoes represents female sexual organs (CInderella!) and therefore fertility.
Finally the carrying of the bride over the threshold was to fool the evil spirits that dwell in doorways.
It is very bad luck for a bride to stumble over the doorstep, this therefore stops the happening.