Courtesy of the hit show, Whitney, here are the meanings behind few wedding traditions.
1. “Honeymoon” comes from a time where newlyweds would be given mead, an alcoholic fermented honey drink, for one month based on the lunar calendar to help with fertility.
2. Queen Victoria began the trend of wearing a white dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Before that, brides just wore their best dress, no matter the color.
3. The Jewish practice of the groom breaking a glass with his foot comes from the tradition of remembering the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
4. Having shoes tied to a car bumper comes from Egypt where the father would give his daughter’s sandals to the groom, symbolizing the transfer of authority to the husband. (Good thing we didn’t tie any shoes to my “get-away” car!)
5. A wedding ring is placed on the bride’s fourth finger because Romans believed a vein in that finger ran directly to the heart.
6. The pleasurable phrase “you may kiss the bride” comes from Roman times when a kiss was a legally binding contract.
7. Tossing rice at weddings symbolizes showering the new couple with prosperity, fertility and good fortune.
8. The notable phrase “tying the knot” comes from a time when the bride and groom would have their hands bound in a knot until the ceremony was over.
9. Wearing “something blue” comes from ancient Rome, where the color symbolized love, modesty and fidelity.
10. Jumping the broom is an African-American custom symbolizing sweeping away any negative parts from the past when the couple steps over it and starting together fresh.
Check out more great tips, tricks, and videos including some ideas for unique marriage proposals on the show’s website.
