Wedding Traditions with surprising origins

Many classic wedding traditions have, through the years, changed dramatically from their original meaning or purpose. Bouquets used to be garlic, tin cans on cars were pots and pans and veils kept the bride safe from the devil!

At Sandon Hall we love seeing what traditions the couples choose for their special day. It’s also interesting to wonder where they came from.

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES WERE USED TO CONFUSE THE SPIRITS

Once upon a time, the bridesmaids’ dresses would have been identical to the bride’s. But if they all looked similar, couldn’t you risk a terrible incident of mistaken identity with the groom kissing very much the wrong bride?

Unlikely. However, this mistaken identity masquerade was actually the purpose of the outfits. Bridesmaids were put in similar dresses to the bride to act as decoys meant to fool any meddling spirits that were keen on making mischief.

Over the years however, superstition waned and the bridesmaid’s veils got shorter as the bride’s grew longer. Eventually the common placed brightly coloured bridesmaids dresses came to life with the invention of new dyes, to some bridesmaid’s dismay!

THE VEIL WAS MEANT TO SPOOK THE GHOSTLY FIGURES

The same troublesome spirits that caused the bridesmaids to dress in the same outfits as the bride were also the reason for the veil. The Romans used fiery looking veils to give the ghouls a real fright.

The veil also symbolised humility but eventually became an emblem of status in the Victorian era. The Victorians thought that the bigger the veil, the higher the status. This still applies to some extent today. The long, dramatic veil makes an impact and can look aristocratic. A shorter veil looks demure, symbolising the “blushing bride”.

TIEING TIN CANS TO THE WEDDING CAR’S BUMPER

The clamouring of tins attached to a car’s bumper, bouncing along the road as the newlyweds drive away, swoons with classic movie romance. It, began as a French tradition of standing under a groom’s window, making a ruckus.

It was called a charivari. When an out of town groom had taken a wife from a village, thus taking them away from the local boys, the villagers would shout outside his window at midnight until he gave them some compensation – a meal.

This tradition was brought over to America in the 1600s and became the norm in some places regardless of whether or not the groom was from out of town. Eventually though, it seems that brides and grooms lost patience with having their wedding night interrupted and the pots and pans became tins and cans on car bumpers as an announcement to everyone around of a happy union.

BOUQUETS WERE MADE FROM ROSEMARY AND GARLIC

Have you even wondered how the tradition of carrying a bouquet started? Well, this is how. At a time when diseases like the black plague were around, people would carry garlic and rosemary bunches hoping the pungent smells would protect them from illness.

This in turn became a symbol of good luck and thus, because of the well wishing that comes with celebrating the union between two people, it found its way into weddings.

Over time people started adding other fragrant smells and appealing looking flowers to the bouquet.the garlic, dill or rosemary fading out of fashion. Different herbs have varying symbolic meanings and thus the idea of a lucky bouquet gained a firm foothold in weddings.

Sandon Hall’s Guide to Styling Your Wedding

With your spring wedding just around the corner, you’ll no doubt be looking to finalise. But even if you’re made lots of the big location and dining decisions, there’s still time to make the most of what is best about spring.

Sandon Hall are here to help you tie up those loose ends and place those finishing touches with a guide to styling your spring wedding, including flowers, colour co-ordinating and watching out for wetter weather.

CHOOSE BRIGHT FLOWERS SUCH AS DAFFODILS, TULIPS AND CHERRY BLOSSOM

Spring means rejuvenation and rebirth. As the ground thaws towards the end of January, the first spring flowers begin to appear. Daffodils are one of the first to emerge, sprouting it seems earlier each year. Inspired by their bright yellow petals, they marry beautifully with a spring country wedding.

Daffodils can be featured in a couple of unconventional ways such as in wellington boots or tied in bunches with twine to be held by bridesmaids. More conventionally, they can be the table decorations or simply feature in photos in the country setting.

Sandon Hall’s in-house florist Breige says that “cherry blossom for spring weddings that are later in the season are great for high impact displays. Alternatively, tulips with their many beautiful varieties make for lovely bouquets, especially when paired with scented narcissi”.

BE INSPIRED BY NATURE AND FIND ACCENTS IN VERDANT GREENS AND CHARTREUSE

Nature’s dominant colour is green – from leaves on trees and bushes to lily pads and wild grasses. But, while the darkness of evergreens and verdant new grass suggests life, they aren’t the ideal colours for your wedding.

Instead, look for accents in teal or chartreuse. This can come in ribbons for the flower girls or in the bowties for the groomsmen. Various shades of green that also match well with greens are gold, ivory and lemony yellows.

HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR SPRING SHOWERS

For the new year’s revival of life must come the key ingredients for growth, namely water and sunshine. Plenty of rain will come in the spring, especially in the country parts of England, nurturing the plants and flora.

If you’re hoping to enjoy a spring wedding outdoors, perhaps to make the most of your venue with some memorable photos or the backdrop of luscious gardens, then you need a rainy day contingency plan.

This means umbrellas.

Obvious but simple, having enough umbrellas for your guests is a necessity if the forecast suggests even a spatter of rain. However, boring black umbrellas could look a bit corporate. Instead choose colourful umbrellas, matching your wedding theme or spring surroundings.

If the rain does come down then you can make umbrellas a fun feature of your wedding, such as with an umbrella canopy.

SELECT A COUNTRY VENUE WITH FLOWERS IN BLOOM

Sandon Hall, for example, with its ivory stone walls and period building is the perfect rustic setting to make the most of quintessential British flowers in its grounds and gardens. The period, neutral tones of the building allow it to pair with any colour theme you select.

Additionally, a country wedding is the ideal spot to embrace the ever popular trend of revived vintage. From flower crowns to lace wedding gowns, Sandon Hall’s historical setting perfectly complements these spring time touches that also suit a spring wedding.

With flowers in bloom and the sun (hopefully) shining, your wedding will truly feel like the celebratory start of a new beginning.

The Wedding Speech: How to make it memorable

Speeches are imperative at weddings. Whether you are a guest of honor, father of the bride, best man or bridesmaid, its a ceremonial must to make a toast for the newlyweds.