Everything we do when we say "I do" is significant. From the kiss to the

tossing of the bridal bouquet everyone has their favorite part of the wedding.

Despite the romantic undertones of today's weddings, few traditions began with

love in mind. Ancient wedding were actually for property or land. If two

families were married it meant they became more powerful, and usually had more

land.

The walk down the aisle is one of the most frightening and favorite

experiences for the new bride. The walk down the aisle used to symbolize what

little freedom the bride had. The father would walk his daughter down the aisle

transferring ownership of not only his daughter but usually goods, animals, and

land. Both families were made richer by weddings in these days.

Everyone dreams of having all their family and close friends at their wedding

these days. Witnesses used to attend weddings in order to make it officially

binding by law. In the days before everything was documented for the government

people attended weddings specifically to be a witness. The families usually sat

on opposite sides because it kept them from arguing and fighting which has not

been rare throughout history, since many families often did not like each other.

Traditionally the bride stands on the left of the groom during the ceremony.

This tradition developed during medieval times when men carried swords. If the

bride stood on the right side she would have blocked his sword making it

impossible for him to protect her, so the bride stands to the left and has ever

since. During this time the term best man was also created. Typically the best

man at the wedding was the best swordsman also.

Why are there bridesmaids? Today many people choose to have bridesmaids

because of tradition, and for fun. Since the middle ages bridesmaids have been

responsible for helping with the preparation of the wedding. In the beginning

bridesmaids were simply hired or slave help, and they did not walk the aisle.

During the formation of our country bridesmaids used to dress exactly like the

bride because of spiritual superstition. People believed if they all dressed

exactly like the bride evil spirits wouldn't know which girl was being married

and couldn't harm her. Today bridesmaid dresses vary in style from the bride's

gown.

There are many spiritual superstitions surrounding weddings. The bridal

bouquet was at first a satchel of herbs meant to protect the bride from evil

spirits. Only later did the satchel become a bouquet of flowers. Clinking of

glasses during the reception was also believed to keep evil spirits from harming

the new marriage; it was believed the spirits didn't like boisterous noise.

Apart from evil superstition people also believed that weddings were symbols

of good luck. This is how the tradition of the garter toss and bridal bouquet

toss were developed. People believed to take something of the brides would bring

good luck. Hopes of fertility also surrounded weddings for a very long time. The

guests at a wedding believed the bride would become pregnant soon after the

wedding if she were the first to eat the cake. Throwing rice after the ceremony

was also meant to signify fertility in the hopes the new couple would have many

children.

Contrary to popular thought, brides today wear white because of fashion.

Prior to 1840 when Queen Victoria wore white lace to her wedding, brides wore

their best dress. Wedding dresses at this time were many colors. The veil, meant

to symbolize purity came from a tradition where the groom kidnapped the bride.

If a man could get a girl away from her family long enough they were basically

married. When the brides were kidnapped their faces were covered with a white

cloth which has now become a veil.

The kiss at the end of the ceremony symbolizes the binding union that the

husband and wife have to each other. Some people believed when the bride and

groom kissed for the first time they shared a part of their soul. The ring,

meant to symbolize the bond of marriage is worn on the fourth finger of the left

hand because it was believed there was a vein that in that finger that ran to

the heart. The first wedding bands were made of grass and hay. Today traditional

wedding bands are made of gold. During World War II men in the United States

began to wear wedding bands because they wanted a way to remember their wives

while at war. Today both the husband and wife wear wedding bands.

Over the years the beginnings of most of these wedding traditions have been

forgotten. Today weddings are about love and family. Although the traditions

hold different meanings today they are still as important as they were hundreds

of years ago.