Whether you decide to say ‘I do’ to the perfect dress or fling your bouquet over your shoulder to all your unmarried friends, there are lots of decades-old – sometimes centuries-old – wedding traditions that still shape weddings today. Some form the crux of the whole day, whilst some haven’t quite stood the test of time and are decreasing in relevance.
So, glad rags and fascinators on for the wedding traditions that we still know and celebrate.
Asking the father of the bride for permission to marry
Whilst this is no longer a legal requirement, some people still like to uphold the tradition and ask their future spouse’s father for their hand in marriage. Today it is more of a courtesy and some couples like to pair this with having the father give the bride away at the top of the aisle.
If you’re building yourself up for the chat with your future father-in-law, maybe you already have an engagement ring tucked away somewhere. Make it an unforgettable moment for you and your soon-to-be-fiancé with a stunning engagement ring. Then, let the wedding planning commence!
The Wedding Cake and the Cutting of the Cake
The traditional wedding cake is still very popular today. A tiered masterpiece of moist fruitcakes and white icing, this design originated in 1882 at the wedding of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany. However, with many turning their noses up at fruit cake, it is often replaced with sponge cake. Some couples even scrap the tradition altogether with a pudding table or even a mass of donuts!
The cutting of the wedding cake is also a key event during wedding days today, with the bride making the first slice to ensure that the marriage is blessed.
Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue
Everyone knows the saying, but are brides still incorporating it into their big day? Fewer and fewer are as it turns out to be too much of a hassle. However, some brides like to use a cutting from their mother’s wedding dress and weave it into their own or borrow jewellery from older members of the family.
Throwing confetti
It’s one of the most Instagrammable snaps of the 21st century, so it’s no wonder this tradition has survived the test of time. Traditionally, confetti is made from rice, but people today have replaced that with less painful flower petals. Bubbles are also a lovely touch as they don’t need cleaning up and don’t impact the environment in any way.
Throwing of the bride’s bouquet
And whilst we’re on the topic of throwing things, the bouquet toss has somewhat lost its relevance as most people don’t buy into the superstition and want to keep the bouquet for themselves. But it still makes for another viral moment!
