Wedding Traditions
We have all heard of them and probably have a decent idea about a few of them but what are the real wedding traditions? Things have changed significantly since the first marriage, the ceremony of matrimony dates back to ancient times all the way back to the Celtics and the Greeks. The modern incarnation of the wedding began to manifest fully somewhere around the middle of the 1400’s. Again much has changed since this time. Many things have effected these changes, chief amongst them technology, practicality and the advances made in communication and transportation.
Originally marriage was more about protection, procreation and religious beliefs then it was about love. The reasons, ceremonies and traditions of marriage vary greatly across cultures and time but one thing remains a constant, it is the bond (usually and originally) for life between two individuals formed before the eyes of their loved ones and God (Gods). For us westerners some of the traditions we may be familiar with include; the bride wearing white (to symbolize purity), the groom proposing with a ring (a tradition first established in 1477 when Mary of Burgundy was presented a diamond by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria), and the saying something old something new, something borrowed and something blue (stems from an Old English rhyme having to do with good luck) and these are just a few.
Today we like to believe that marriage has to do primarily with love as opposed to practicality. Many of the traditions we know are still honored, some have changed and some have been forgotten over time. The bride usually still wears white, vows are usually still recited and the tradition of proposing with a ring is one that seems to be a main stay in western society. Remember though traditions are a guideline, they are not the rule, make sure you are doing what you want and what will make you happy, it is after all your day.
Whatever you believe or wherever you are from most of us adhere to some form of custom or tradition. Things change however and what may have been done in the generation of our grandparents may not be what is done today. Remember your marriage is about you, do what makes you and your significant other happy, traditions may come and go but your marriage should be forever.
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by Jarrad Kulick