European wedding customs

vintage wedding couple

In the Western it is a custom of a bride wearing a white wedding dress. It came to symbolize purity in the Victorian era. Despite popular misconception and the hackneyed jokes of situation comedies the white dress did not indicate virginity, which was symbolized by a face veil. Within the “white wedding” tradition, a white dress and veil would not have been considered appropriate in the second or third wedding of a widow or divorcee. Largely from a Protestant and Catholic viewpoint the specific conventions of Western weddings are discussed at “white wedding”.

A wedding is often followed or accompanied by a reception, at which an elaborate wedding cake is served. Western traditions the newlyweds having the first dance and cutting the cake. A bride may throw her bouquet to the assembled group of all unmarried women in attendance, with the folklore suggesting the person who catches it will be the next to wed.

A modern tradition is also for brides to wear or carry “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” during the service. It is considered good luck to do so. Often the bride attempts to have one item that meets all of these qualifications, such as a borrowed blue handkerchief which is “new to her” but loaned by her grandmother (because of making it old). Prosperity will bring you to wear a penny in your shoe. An apple is another wedding symbol and stand for love and fertility.

Bild: Brautpaar aus Memmingen um 1900, Johannes Böckh

find more interesting details about wedding customs at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/wedding