Wedding Traditions

Many couples prefer a traditional
religious ceremony, though some
people depart from custom.
Some even write their own wedding
service.
A traditional marriage
ceremony begins with the bridesmaids
and ushers walking slowly down a
center aisle to the altar.
They stand on each side of the altar
throughout the ceremony. The groom
enters and waits for the bride at the altar. The bride then
walks down the aisle with her father, another male relative,
or a family friend. She wears a white dress and veil and carries
a bouquet. At the altar, the bride and groom exchange marriage
vows and accept each other as husband and wife. The groom puts a
wedding ring on the ring finger of the bride's left hand, and the
bride may also give the groom a ring. After the ceremony, the bride
and groom kiss and then leave down the main aisle.

People of many backgrounds follow the traditional wedding ceremony,
but certain religious groups add their own features to it. For example,
different Protestant groups have their own versions of the ceremony.
Many Roman Catholic weddings take place during a Mass, and the bride and
groom receive Holy Communion.

Most Jewish weddings are held under a special canopy that represents
the couple's future home. At the end of the ceremony, an empty glass
or other breakable object is placed on the floor and the groom breaks
it with his foot. This act symbolizes the destruction of the ancient
Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and reminds the couple that a marriage can
also break if it is not protected.

Mormon weddings are held privately in Mormon temples. Only church
members in good standing can attend these ceremonies. Mormons believe
that marriage and family life continue after death.

A Quaker man and woman marry at a public gathering where they
declare their commitment to each other. Quakers believe that
God makes a couple husband
and wife, and so a minister or other official is not required.

Many wedding customs have been popular since ancient times.
For example, Roman brides probably wore veils more than 2,000
years ago. Bridal veils became popular in the United Kingdom
and the New World during the late 1700's.
The custom of giving a wedding ring dates back to the ancient
Romans.
The roundness of the ring probably represents eternity, and
the presentation of wedding rings symbolizes that the man and
woman are united forever. Wearing the wedding ring on the ring
finger of the left hand is another old custom.
People once thought that a vein or nerve ran directly from this
finger to the heart. An old superstition says that a bride can
ensure good luck by wearing "something old, something new,
something borrowed, and something blue."
Another superstition is that it is bad luck for a bride and groom
to see each other before the ceremony on their wedding day.

After many weddings, the guests throw rice at the bride and groom
as a wish for children and good fortune. Rice was once a symbol
of fertility, happiness, and long life. The bride may toss her
bouquet to the unmarried female guests.
The woman who catches the flowers will supposedly be the next to
marry. This custom probably started in France in the 1300's.
The bride may also throw her garter to the unmarried men.
The man who catches it will supposedly be the next male to marry.