Victorian Wedding Customs, Traditions and Superstitions
When it comes to weddings, usually every bride and her family and friends are supersitious. You are probably one that walks under a ladder just to make a point that superstitions aren't real or just for the principal of it. But if it is your wedding day, nothing could stop you from wearing something old and something new. And thats just for starters. We guarantee that you wouldn't dream of seeing your fiance on the morning of the wedding. And will you expect to be carried across the threshold? Of course you will!
Where do these old traditions come from? Some can be traced back to Roman and Anglo-Saxon times, some to Victorian rhymes and others to folklore that has been passed down through countless generations. All of them are to do with bestowing good luck and fertility on the happy couple.
Many superstitions and traditions have changed over time, while others, thankfully, are very watered-down versions of old customs.
Ever wonder where that tradition of tying old shoes to the back of a newlywed's car came from? That tradition dates back to the Tudor times when guests would throw shoes at the newlyweds, with great luck being bestowed on them if they or their carriage were hit! In Anglo-Saxon times, the bride was symbolically struck with a shoe by her groom to establish his authority. Brides would then throw shoes at their bridesmaids to see who would marry next.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and a Silver Sixpence in her Shoe
This rhyme originated in Victorian times. 'Something Old' signifies that the Couple's friends will stay with them. In one version of the tradition the 'Something Old' was an old garter which was given to the bride by a happily married woman so that the new bride would also enjoy a happy marriage. 'Something New' looks to the future for health, happiness and success.
'Something Borrowed' is an opportunity for the Bride's family to give her something as a token of their love,it must be returned to ensure good luck, and 'Something Blue' is thought lucky because Blue represents fidelity and constancy. The custom began in ancient Israel where brides wore a blue ribbon in their hair to symbolise their fidelity. A sixpence was placed in the shoe to bring the couple wealth in their married life. Some brides still place a penny in their shoe during the marriage ceremony.
The Tradition of the Flower
Weddings have always had certain features that make it that special day and flowers have always ranked up at the top as to being one of the most important items. The Groom is wears a flower that appears in the Bridal Bouquet in his button-hole. This is a Medieval tradition of a Knight wearing his Lady's colours, as a declaration of his love. Every flower has its own meaning and can display a special message. Orange Blossom, for instance, signifies chastity, purity and loveliness, while red chrysanthemum means "I love you".
The Place and Time of the Wedding
The bride to be would select a date, usually within three months of the engagement. Sunday used to be the most popular wedding day, as it was the one day most people were free from work. Puritans in the Seventeenth Century put a stop to this, however, believing it was improper to be festive on the Sabbath. Today, Saturdays are the busiest, despite the rhyme
Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday best of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all
The month of June was considered to be the luckiest month for wedding, hence today's tradition of the "June Weddings". May was considered to be the most unlucky of months to wed even by the least superstitious of people. This could very well have stemmed from the ancient Roman who strongly believed in omens and signs. Evidence of this can be found in a quote by Ovid, "That time, too, was not auspicious for the marriage torches of the widow or the virgin. She who married then, did not long remain a wife." The time of day that the wedding would be held had to be considered. It was traditional in the South to have summer wedding at 6 pm when the weather had begun to cool down. In the East wedding typically took place before late afternoon.
As for the time of year, the saying 'Marry in the month of May, and you'll live to rue the day' dates back to Pagan times. May, the start of summer, was dedicated to outdoor orgies (ie the summer festival Beltane), hardly the best way to begin married life! Queen Victoria is said to have banned her children from marrying in May, and Nineteenth Century Vicars were rushed of their feet on April 30th because Brides refused to marry during May. The sun has always been associated with sexual stimulation and, therefore future fertility. In Scotland it was traditional for the Bride to 'walk with the sun', proceeding from east to west on the south side of the church and then circling the Church three times 'sunwise' for good luck.
Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true,
When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden & for Man.
Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see
Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.
The Wedding Dress
The brides of the 1900s hardly ever bought a special wedding dress or gown, opting for their best outfit instead. Green was always avoided, as it was though to be unlucky. To say a girl 'had a green gown' also implied that she was of loose morals, because her dress would be grass-stained due to rolling around in the fields! Hence 'Marry in Green, ashamed to be seen'. White Dresses were made popular by Queen Victoria, who broke the tradition of royals marrying in Silver. Symbolising purity and virginity, white was also thought to ward off evil spirits. Other traditions are that the bride should never make her own dress, that the final stitch should not be completed until she is departing for the Church and that she should never try on the entire outfit before the day. This was because it was felt dangerous for the Bride to count her chickens. For the same reason, a Bride should never practise signing her new name until it is legally hers, and wedding linen was marked with the Brides maiden rather than married initials. The tradition of Bridesmaids is evolved from the custom of surrounding the Bride with other richly dressed women, in order to confuse evil spirits.
Married in White, you have chosen right
Married in Grey, you will go far away,
Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,
Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in Blue, you will always be true,
Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,
Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married in Brown, you will live in the town,
Married in Pink, you spirit will sink.
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