Follow Old Traditions, Or Create Your Own

Planning
  a wedding takes a lot of time, work and decisions. Some decisions are made for us in the form of traditions that were created by our ancestors, but what do they really mean?

While some may believe that wedding traditions are superstitious, the symbolism they represent was developed out of reason and a purpose in their time. Some examples are:

* The groom used to kidnap his bride and hold her on his left arm, so that his sword arm was free to fight off any other suitors. Presently, when the bride walks down the aisle to meet the groom before the alter she stands to his left.

* Marriage was often used as a means to bring together two opposing tribes so the families sat on opposite sides to avoid any fighting during the ceremony.  Today, wedding guests will sit on the bride or groom "side" depending   on who they’re related to, or which member of the wedding party is their friend.

* Wearing a wedding ring has several different historic meanings. The circular   shape was a sign of never-ending love, without beginning or end. Some early   engagement rings were symbolic of the "sale" of the bride from her   father to the groom. And, the ring finger is believed to contain a vein that   is directly connected to the heart.

* Brides wore a veil to be unrecognizable to evil spirits who may try to snatch   her away.

* The white wedding dress was worn to symbolize purity of heart and innocence   of childhood. Queen Victoria popularized the style upon her wedding to Prince   Albert at which time white symbolized the bride’s virginity.

Perhaps the most well-known of wedding traditions is the rhyme "Something   Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue." What does it mean?  Something old is for the durability of marriage and continuity of your old life   into the new one; something new symbolizes the start of your new married life;  something borrowed should come from a happily married woman whose virtues you   most wish for yourself; and something blue symbolizes the promise of love, fidelity   and purity of heart.

Whether you want to follow all the historical traditions or create your own   is entirely your choice.

 
Courtesy of ARAcontent