The Origins of Popular Wedding Traditions (And Why You Can Totally Break Them)
Weddings are full of traditions—some sweet, some sentimental, and some that make you wonder, Who thought this was a good idea? (Looking at you, garter toss.) But where did these customs even come from? Why do brides wear white? Who decided we should launch flowers at our single friends? Let's take a fun (and slightly irreverent) look at the origins of some of the most popular wedding traditions.
The White Dress: A Royal Trendsetter Moment
Believe it or not, brides didn’t always wear white. In fact, before the 19th century, they just wore their best dress, no matter the color. (Yes, even black was fair game—talk about gothic chic!) So why do we associate white with weddings? You can thank Queen Victoria.
In 1840, Queen Vic married Prince Albert in a white lace gown, a bold fashion choice at the time. The look was so iconic that it kicked off a trend, and before long, white became the bridal color. Over time, it also came to symbolize purity, even though that wasn’t the original intention. So, if white isn’t your thing, don’t stress—Victoria started the trend, and you can start a new one!
Exchanging Rings: A Tradition With Serious Staying Power
Wearing wedding rings is one of the oldest marriage traditions, dating back thousands of years to ancient Egypt. Egyptians believed a circle symbolized eternity (no beginning, no end—kind of like deciding where to eat dinner as a married couple). They placed the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand because they thought a vein ran directly from there to the heart. (Science later debunked this, but the tradition stuck.)
Fast forward to ancient Rome, where rings became a public declaration of commitment—often made of iron to symbolize strength. Today, wedding rings come in all styles and materials, from classic gold bands to silicone rings for the active couple. No matter what you choose, the meaning remains the same: a symbol of love, commitment, and the occasional need to twist it off when it gets stuck.
Jumping the Broom: A Leap Into Matrimony
Jumping the broom is a wedding tradition with deep cultural significance, particularly in Black weddings. It dates back to the time of slavery in the United States, when enslaved people, denied the legal right to marry, created their own meaningful rituals to mark their unions. The act of jumping over a broom together symbolized sweeping away the past and stepping into a new life as a couple. Today, many couples continue this powerful tradition to honor their ancestors and celebrate their love with a joyful leap into marriage. Some even incorporate personalized brooms decorated with family heirlooms, ribbons, or flowers to make it even more special.
Breaking the Glass: A Joyful Smash
In Jewish weddings, the ceremony often ends with the dramatic crunch of a glass being broken underfoot. While there are multiple interpretations of this tradition, one of the most common meanings is that it serves as a reminder of life’s fragility, the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the idea that joy and sorrow coexist in life. Another modern take? It’s a symbolic “breaking” of the single life as the couple steps into their new journey together. Whatever the reason, it’s usually followed by a loud Mazel Tov! and the start of some serious dancing—so it’s a win-win.
Tossing the Bouquet: A Wedding Day Escape Plan
If you’ve ever wondered why brides chuck flowers at their guests, the reason is both practical and hilarious. Back in medieval times, it was considered good luck to grab a piece of the bride’s dress—so much so that guests would sometimes rip fabric off the poor woman in their excitement. (Talk about an aggressive souvenir!)
To avoid being mobbed, brides started throwing their bouquets as a distraction while they made a quick getaway. Over time, this evolved into the modern bouquet toss, where single guests gather with a mix of excitement and mild terror, hoping to catch (or avoid) the flying flowers.
Not a fan of competitive flower-catching? Plenty of couples now skip this tradition altogether or replace it with alternatives, like gifting the bouquet to a special guest or doing a "couples' toss" where married friends catch the flowers for a sweet anniversary prize.
“Something Blue”: Ancient Superstition Meets Wedding Aesthetic
The rhyme “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” dates back to Victorian England, but its roots go even deeper. The "something blue" part originated as a way to ward off the evil eye, a superstitious belief that envious glares could bring bad luck to the happy couple. (Basically, it was the medieval version of blocking haters.)
Blue was associated with purity, love, and fidelity—hence its role in the wedding tradition. Today, couples incorporate blue in creative ways, from sapphire jewelry to blue-soled shoes (thank you, Christian Louboutin). If you’re looking for an easy win, even a tiny blue ribbon hidden in your bouquet will do the trick!
Keep Traditions—or Make Your Own!
Weddings have evolved over centuries, and traditions are meant to be meaningful—not mandatory. Whether you embrace these customs or put your own twist on them, your wedding should reflect you. Want to wear a pink dress? Do it. Skip the bouquet toss? Absolutely. Exchange tattoos instead of rings? Why not?
At the end of the day, the best tradition is the one that makes you feel happy, celebrated, and ready to start this next chapter together—evil eye or not.
