Today we have a guest blog from one lovely lady, who happens to be a fabulous Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant, Margarita Priori-Smith sheds some light on various wedding customs we have come to know and adapt in our culture in Australia, and around the world.
Marriage customs can be viewed from different perspectives. They can either be traditional rituals such as giving the bride away, or they can be rites and customs from around the world. Like any custom and ritual, they evolve over time and can be adapted to suit individual situations. Here is a glimpse at 3 marriage customs that most couples partake in.
Father of the Bride Escorts
The bride enters on her father’s left so that he can keep his right (sword) hand free to defend his daughter until he has entrusted her into the protection of the groom.
Photo by AWPP
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Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
Even today most brides still follow this custom. ‘Something old’ represents the brides past; ‘something new’ represents her hope for the future; ‘something borrowed’ represents friendship; and ‘something blue’ is thought to represent love, purity and fidelity.
Photo by Artography
Wedding rings
The simple gold wedding band has evolved over centuries. The circle representing mutual, eternal love and affection flowing from one to the other. Wedding rings are placed on the 3rd finger of the left hand because it was believed this finger is linked directly to the heart by the ‘vein of love’.
Photo by AWPP
