Bridal Club Magazine
Wedding Myths
There is no scientific basis to these myths, but most brides
will still follow them, and will always be given advice prior to
their wedding from well meaning friends and family to bring good
luck or ward off bad luck. How many brides-to-be are still
offered something blue to wear on the day from several people?
Some may decide to dismiss the myths and practices, but most
won't; after all, would you take the chance?
Wedding Myths that we Know - and Some that we May
Not
Wearing Pearls
This myth has both good and bad luck meaning. Some believe
that wearing pearls represents future tears, bringing potential
trouble and tears to the marriage, thus being negative.
Whereas some believe that by wearing pearls, they replace the
bride's real tears and she will have a happy, tearless wedding.
The Bride Making her Own Dress
his is considered to be a negative myth as it was believed that
for brides that made their own dresses she would shed one tear for
each stitch she made.
Wearing White
This is seen as a symbol of purity and virginity of the
bride. Wearing white is also believed to ward off any evil
spirits that may surround the bride on her wedding day.
Seeing the Bride before the Wedding
It is bad luck for the groom to see the bride's dress before the
day of the wedding. It will bring luck if he does not glance
at the dress as the bride walks down the aisle.
The Journey to the Church
It is believed to be lucky for the bride to meet a dove, spider,
lamb or black cat on her journey, however meeting a pig or funeral
processions are seen as bad omens. Brides living in the
country fear a crowing cock after the dawn of the wedding
day. It is also believed fortunate for the bride to see a
policeman, clergyman, doctor or blind man on her journey to the
church. The groom should give a coin to the first person he
sees on his journey to the church for good luck.
Positioning of the Bride and Groom during the
Ceremony
The bride is to stand to the left of the groom so that his sword
arm is free to defend her and fight off any man who may wish to
take his future wife.
Time of Day to get Married
According to belief couples should exchange their vows as the
clock's minute hand is moving upwards. The upwards movement
is said to bring good luck and blessings on the couple as the
minute hand is ascending towards heaven. Therefore you should
not get married whenever the minute hand is moving downwards, i.e.
any time before half the hour.
Dropping the Wedding Ring
To drop the ring during the ceremony was seen to shake out any
hiding evil spirits, therefore be lucky. However another
version is that dropping the ring gave the ominous sign that
whoever dropped it would be the first to die.
Crying on the Wedding Day
It is considered good luck for the bride to cry during her
wedding, this means that she will have no more tears left and will
not need any for the duration of her marriage. In the olden
days a bride's tears were a sign of good luck to the future
crops.
Rain on the Wedding Day
This is another myth that has contradictory good/bad luck
connotations. Rain on the day is said to bring good luck as
it represents the coming of children to the marriage and good
harvest of crops. Some say it represents the tears the bride
will cry throughout the marriage.
Signing your Married Name before the Day
It is considered to be tempting fate for the bride to sign her
married name before the wedding day, along with wearing all of her
bridal outfit before the day.
Surname of the Same First Letter
Although some of us may like the idea of not changing our
initials after marriage it is considered unlucky for the bride to
marry a man with the same initialed surname. The Victorians
had a rhyme about this myth 'to change the name and not the letter,
is to change for the worst and not the better'.
Dominating Bride
If the bride wishes to be the dominate partner in the marriage
she must be the first to buy something after the wedding. The
quickest way to do this was to buy a pin from the chief bridesmaid
when changing out of her bridal dress into her traveling
outfit.
Removing the Pins
A bride should always throw away every pin when removing her
bridal dress and veil as to keep any was seen to be unlucky.
Colour of the Wedding Dress has Good and Bad
Myths:
- Married in White you have chosen right
- Married in Blue your lover is true
- Married in Pink your fortunes will sink
- Married in Green you will not long be seen
- Married in Red you'll wish you were dead
- Married in Yellow ashamed of the fellow
- Married in Brown you'll live out of town
- Married in Grey you'll live far away
- Married in Black you'll wish you were back
Days of the Week
- Monday for health
- Tuesday for wealth
- Wednesday the best of all
- Thursday brings crosses
- And Friday losses
- But Saturday - no luck at all..
Whether you choose to follow or disregard any of
these myths, your wedding day is sure to be extra special to you,
and most believe nowadays that you create your own
luck!