No wedding is complete without the mystical customs and traditions which bind couples not just to each other but to generations of ancestors who probably practiced the very same rituals before them.

Something Old

Represents the link with the bride’s family and the past. A common solution many brides choose is to wear a piece of family jewellery or their mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dress.

Something New

Represents good fortune and success in the bride’s new life. The wedding dress is usually chosen as the new item.

Something Borrowed

To remind the bride that friends and family will be there for her when help is needed. The borrowed object might be something such as a lace handkerchief or an item of jewellery.

Something Blue

Symbolises faithfulness and loyalty and dates back to biblical times when blue represented purity. Frequently the bride’s garter is the blue item.

Money

A silver sixpence in her shoe is to wish the bride wealth and happiness.

Wedding Veil

The veil hides the bride’s beauty and wards of evil spirits. Another explanation is that during the times of arranged marriages the bride’s face would be covered until the groom had committed to the marriage.

Confetti

Confetti has replaced rice or grain in modern times. The rice was thrown at the bride and groom to encourage fertility.

Wedding Bouquet

The throwing of the wedding bouquet was introduced from America and it is said that whoever catches the bouquet will be the next to get married.

Wedding Pearls

It is commonly thought that pearls represent tears and are unlucky. However the real reason brides should wear pearls is that the pearls take the place of real tears, thus the bride will have a happy, tear-free wedded life.

Wedding Gifts

Wedding gifts bought by the guests have replaced the custom of bringing fruits that used to encourage fertility.

Wedding Favours

The tradition of giving guests something to remember the day by in the form of favours has been around for hundreds of years. Giving each guest five sugar coated almonds symbolises health, wealth, fertility, happiness and long life.