These days, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to weddings—anything goes, as long as it makes you happy as a couple. One of the best things about modern weddings is the freedom to embrace or skip traditional customs as you see fit. Don’t want to wear white? Go for it. Not interested in a veil? That’s perfectly fine. Want to share a private moment with your spouse before the ceremony? Absolutely!
That said, there’s a reason traditions have lasted through generations—they carry a sense of history and charm that can add a special touch to your celebration. Plus, if you’re a little superstitious, you might feel inclined to follow certain customs to keep things running smoothly.
Here are some of the longest-standing wedding superstitions, extending far beyond the classic “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Of course, remember that these traditions are rooted in folklore—so feel free to take them with a pinch of salt!
Wearing White
The tradition of wearing white on your wedding day dates back thousands of years, with a charming old verse outlining the supposed fates tied to different dress colours:
● Married in white, you will have chosen all right.
● Married in grey, you will go far away.
● Married in black, you will wish yourself back.
● Married in red, you’ll wish yourself dead.
● Married in blue, you will always be true.
● Married in pearl, you’ll live in a whirl.
● Married in green, ashamed to be seen.
● Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow.
● Married in brown, you’ll live out of town.
● Married in pink, your spirits will sink.
While these lines are steeped in superstition, they add a whimsical touch to the history of wedding traditions—perfect for a little pre-wedding trivia!
Weekday Weddings
Saturdays have been the most popular wedding day for decades, but according to an ancient Celtic poem, it’s the one day couples should avoid at all costs:
“Monday for wealth,
Tuesday for health,
Wednesday the best day of all,
Thursday for losses,
Friday for crosses,
And Saturday no luck at all.”
If a Saturday wedding doesn’t work out, rest assured—a weekday celebration might just bring its own charm and blessings!
Something Borrowed
Of the four “somethings” that brides are traditionally expected to carry, “something borrowed” is the one most closely linked to luck! The concept behind this is that, in addition to wearing something old and something new—symbolizing your life before marriage and the one ahead—you should also borrow something from a happily married woman, like your mum, mother-in-law, sister, or grandmother. The idea is that wearing something loaned by a woman with a lasting marriage might bring a bit of her marital happiness and success your way.
Pearls
When it comes to something borrowed, pearls are a common family heirloom, but you might want to politely decline if they’re offered. In several cultural belief systems, pearls are said to symbolize tears and, by extension, sadness and suffering. For this reason, it’s best to avoid wearing them on your wedding day. However, if your partner proposes with a pearl ring, there’s a way to balance the karma: giving them a euro. By paying for the ring, it’s no longer considered a gift, helping to shift the energy surrounding it.
Wearing a Veil
Veils have been a staple of the bride’s traditional attire for centuries. However, for the ancient Greeks and Romans, the veil served a practical purpose rather than a fashionable one. They believed that a bride needed to wear a veil to protect herself from the curses and hexes of jealous witches and evil spirits who sought to steal her happiness. By covering her face, it was thought that the veil would shield her from their malicious influence.
The Gift of Knives
A sharp set of knives is a common wedding registry item, but according to a Viking legend, knives symbolize the cutting or breaking of a relationship. While you can’t always predict what your wedding guests will gift you, if you’d prefer to avoid receiving something with such a gloomy association, it might be wise to remove knives from your registry altogether. Alternatively, you could send a ‘penny’ with your thank-you cards, which is said to turn the gift into a purchase, shifting the energy away from any negative symbolism.
Rain on The Wedding Day
Rain on your wedding day is a common worry for many couples, but in several cultures, it’s actually seen as a sign of good luck. If you notice dark clouds and raindrops starting to fall, don’t stress about getting wet—it’s believed to symbolize fertility and cleansing. After all, what better day to start with a clean slate than your wedding day?
Odd Bridesmaids
When planning your wedding, a Greek superstition says it’s considered good luck to choose your bridal party members in odd numbers—three, five, or seven. Similarly, when preparing the koufeta (sugar-coated almonds), they should also be in odd numbers for the best fortune.
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