Unveiling the Magic: Exploring Classic Wedding Traditions and Superstitions

One of the most exciting things about wedding planning (besides finding the perfect wedding dress) is going through countless wedding traditions and deciding what fits in with your style and personality.  Today, we’re going to dive into the history of some of the most well-known wedding traditions and superstitions. 

Nestled within the heart of Tomball, Evangeline Bridal welcomes brides with open arms and celebrates them with unmatched adoration. Here, every bride’s journey to find her dream wedding dress is not just a task on the complete wedding to-do list but an intimate and cherished affair that will linger long after the champagne is popped. At Evangeline Bridal, we hold these timeless customs close to our hearts, recognizing their significance in your story. Each tradition is a way to cement this important time in your life into the memory, like a movie you can play back anytime you crave a little nostalgia. Here, the past and present intertwine, celebrating both the bride’s unique story and love’s enduring legacy.

Let’s unveil the stories behind these cherished rituals and discover how they harmoniously dance with the contemporary elegance that defines Evangeline Bridal.

Something Old, Something New

The saying “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” is a traditional rhyme that originated in England and has been passed down through generations as a part of wedding folklore. Each element of the rhyme is meant to bring good luck and blessings to the bride on her wedding day. 

• Something Old, This represents the connection to the bride’s past and her family. As well as her roots and the life she is leaving behind as she starts a new chapter. 
• Something New, This signifies optimism and hope for the future. It represents the new life the bride is embarking upon with her partner and the journey ahead. 
• Something Borrowed,  Borrowed items are traditionally lent by a happily married friend or family member and symbolize the idea that happiness can be borrowed. It’s a way of inviting the good fortune and joy of a successful marriage into the newlywed’s life. 
• Something Blue, Blue is associated with fidelity, love, and purity. Incorporating something blue into the wedding attire is believed to bring a strong and lasting marriage.

But, did you know? The rhyme is historically completed with the line: “And a silver sixpence in her shoe.” This forgotten line references a silver coin that was traditionally placed in the bride’s shoe to bring wealth and financial prosperity to the couple.

These elements are embraced by brides as a charming way to honor tradition and add an extra layer of symbolism and meaning to their wedding day attire and overall celebration. For help to find the perfect new or blue something for you, be sure to check out Evangeline Bridal’s selection of jewelry and accessories. 

The First Look, or Not

When we think of wedding traditions, one of the first things we think of is the groom not being able to see the bride on the day of the wedding, but what’s the history behind that? The tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding has roots in several cultural and historical beliefs.  While the exact origin cannot be placed, several theories have played a role in keeping the tradition alive.  Ranging from culturally arranged marriages where the bride and groom didn’t even know each other before the ceremony, to the religious symbolism of the bride’s purity, all the way to preventing bad luck and evading evil spirits, keeping the bride’s identity a surprise on her wedding day has been able to withstand the test of time, for now.  Today, many modern brides are opting out of that tradition in favor of a new one – an intimate first-look experience with only the groom present.  It’s a complete 180, we know, but those moments sure do make some amazing photos! 

The Bouquet and Garter Toss

The tradition of the garter toss dates back to medieval Europe where people viewed the bride as extremely lucky on her wedding day, and they would literally tear off pieces of her clothing to try and gain some of that luck for themselves.  The result? The bride tossing her bouquet and booking it out of there.  Brides began to toss their bouquets at the reception as a symbol of spreading love and good fortune.  Over time, this evolved into the modern bouquet toss where unwed women would gather in hopes of catching it and being the next to marry.  The garter toss started similarly in medieval Europe with guests believing that the bride’s clothes were lucky and wanted to possess a piece.  After one too many enthusiastic guests were too rough with the bride, the groom began removing the garter and tossing it into the crowd as a symbol of fertility and good luck. 

Tying the Knot

While “tying the knot” is universally interchangeable with getting married, many people don’t know that the phrase has origins in ancient Roman and Celtic cultures and even maritime traditions.  In ancient Rome, the phrase “Nuptual Knot” was used to describe the marriage bond as a union tying the couple together.  Similarly, in Celtic Culture’s handfasting rituals, the couple’s hands were tied together with beautifully decorated cords or ribbons to symbolize their commitment to each other.  With the maritime influence, sailors would typically tie knots in a rope to secure their belongings or as a way to document important events.  When a sailor would get married, they would have a knot-tying ceremony as a way to declare that they belonged to each other.  “Tying the Knot” likely evolved as a visual representation of unity from a mixture of all of these traditions, and today a lot of brides will wear jewelry or beaded belts that have knots intertwined within the designs.

Create Your Own Wedding Traditions

In the ever-evolving wedding trends, modern brides infuse classic traditions with their own flair. The bouquet toss transforms into a joyful celebration of friendship and love.  “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” becomes a canvas for self-expression, where the bride’s unique journey is infused into each element. Handfasting, once a medieval binding, becomes a gesture of partnership and equality. As love knows no boundaries, couples celebrate their union by reshaping the timeless rituals to mirror their contemporary values, leaving an incredible mark as traditions evolve. 

At Evangeline Bridal, we believe that every love story is unique, and deserves its own set of cherished traditions. Our personalized approach allows brides to collaborate in crafting meaningful moments that reflect their journey. Through detailed consultations, we uncover your individual vision, infusing your wedding gown with personal touches and sentimental details. Our boutique, with its Parisian charm, becomes a canvas for you to create new customs. Together, we embrace your story, reimagining classic rituals and curating a wedding experience that resonates with your identity, ensuring your day is a tapestry of memories that will forever be yours to hold.

Let Evangeline Bridal help you discover your dream wedding dress in our amazing collection and experience the magic of writing your own story.  Book a VIP appointment today and let our team of experts guide you through a personalized bridal fitting that embraces your unique story. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for a glimpse of Parisian flair and endless bridal inspiration. Your path to a wedding day filled with timeless allure and personalized traditions awaits—let’s create your unforgettable moments together.