The Bizarre But True Origins Of Wedding Traditions

Summary

This script delves into the origins of various wedding traditions, revealing their often surprising and sometimes dark roots. From bridesmaids as decoys for evil spirits to the best man's role in protecting the bride from kidnapping, it uncovers the historical context behind practices like white wedding dresses, bridal bouquets, veils, and the honeymoon. The discussion also touches on the symbolism of wedding rings and the tradition of the father giving away the bride, concluding with a humorous reflection on which customs to keep and the possibility of starting new, more personal wedding trends.

Takeaways

• 👰 Origin of Bridesmaids: Bridesmaids originally dressed similarly to the bride to confuse exes or evil spirits and to act as decoys for safety during travel to the groom's town.
• 🤵 Role of Groomsmen: Groomsmen were the strongest and most skilled friends who helped the groom in combat against anyone opposing the bride's kidnapping.
• 👰🏻 White Wedding Dresses: Initially, white dresses were a symbol of wealth, as they were difficult to maintain clean before the advent of modern washing techniques, popularized by Queen Victoria in 1840.
• 💐 Bouquet Tradition: Ancient Greek brides used wreaths of mint and marigold for their aphrodisiac properties and to ward off evil spirits.
• 👰 Bridal Veil: Stemming from arranged marriages, the veil was used to hide the bride's identity from the groom and to protect against evil spirits.
• 🍾 Honeymoon Origins: The honeymoon period was when the husband hid to prevent the bride's tribe from rescuing her after a marriage by kidnapping.
• 💍 Wedding Rings: Historically, the bride's ring was a symbol of ownership, and the exchange of rings evolved with the advancement of women's rights.
• 🤲 Vein of Love Myth: The belief that the fourth finger has a vein leading directly to the heart ('Vena Amoris') is a myth, but the symbolism remains.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Father Giving Away the Bride: Symbolized the transfer of the bride's property from her father to her husband, reflecting the bride as property.
• 💏 First Kiss Tradition: Initially, a holy kiss of peace was given by the priest to the groom, who then passed it to the bride, continuing a tradition of communal kissing.
• 🏵 Rethinking Traditions: The script suggests that modern couples may choose to forgo or adapt traditions based on their personal beliefs and values.

Q & A

Why were bridesmaids originally dressed similarly to the bride?

Bridesmaids dressed similarly to the bride in order to confuse exes or evil spirits, acting as decoys to keep the bride safe.

What was the role of bridesmaids in the Roman Empire?

In the Roman Empire, bridesmaids accompanied the bride if she had to travel to the groom's town or village, providing safety from potential attacks by robbers or kidnappers.

What is the historical purpose of the best man in a wedding?

The best man was traditionally the strongest and most skilled in fighting, tasked with helping the groom combat anyone who opposed the bride being kidnapped.

Why did the tradition of the best man standing next to the groom during the ceremony originate?

The best man stood next to the groom to ensure that the bride did not run away, ready to grab her if she tried to escape.

What was the original reason for wearing white wedding dresses?

White wedding dresses were a symbol of ostentation and wealth, as only the very wealthy could afford the labor-intensive process of keeping white garments immaculate.

Why did Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress become a trend?

Queen Victoria's choice to wear white was initially unconventional, but it was seen as a display of wealth and was subsequently emulated, setting a trend that has lasted for over 290 years.

What was the significance of the bridal bouquet in ancient Greek weddings?

Ancient Greek brides wore wreaths of mint and marigold as an aphrodisiac and used clusters of herbs to ward off evil spirits.

What is the origin of the bridal veil?

The bridal veil originated from the tradition of arranged marriages, where it was used to hide the bride's identity from the groom until the wedding ceremony.

What is the historical background of the honeymoon?

The honeymoon dates back to a time when marriages were created by kidnapping, and the husband had to hide for about a month to prevent the woman's tribe from rescuing her.

What is the historical meaning of wedding rings and the significance of the fourth finger?

Wedding rings were a symbol of ownership. The fourth finger was chosen because of the mistaken belief in a vein, the 'vena amoris,' that led directly to the heart.

Why did the tradition of the father giving away the bride begin?

The tradition symbolized the transfer of ownership of the bride's property from her father to her new husband, reflecting the bride's status as property in the past.

What was the original custom for the first kiss at a wedding?

The first kiss was originally a holy kiss of peace given by a priest to the groom, who then passed it to the bride, and the clergyman would continue to kiss all the bridesmaids and groomsmen.