Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue
This one is by far our favourite. The tradition behind why this custom started, and the symbolism is just too beautiful, that you’d want to hang on to this one. Traditionally a custom from Israel that is symbolic to love, fidelity, the union of the couple and their life together.
Something old – this is showing the ties between the newly married couple and their families.
Something new – the new unity between the husband and wife.
Something borrowed – Something special from the bride’s family or friends as a promise of their love and friendship.
Something blue – this is a symbol of the fidelity between man and wife as they enter into married life.
And a silver sixpence in her shoe – The end of this beautiful rhyme supposedly bringing the bride and groom luck and good fortune. The silver coin from the bride’s father should be worn in her left shoe, and a gold coin from her mother in her right shoe. This is to ensure that she will never go without.
It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony
Arranged marriages were pretty common worldwide until the 18th century, and they took place like business deals between families, where fathers hoped to get a rich, land-owning husband for his daughter. You can imagine that it would then not be a good idea for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, and possible not find her to his liking! Her face would literally be hidden from him until after the I do’s, to safe guard this transaction.
Today arranged marriages still happen in in South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia and parts of East Asia.
This is still an endearing tradition and people love watching the look on the groom’s face as he sees the bride for the first time walking down the aisle in her wedding gown.
Rainy day wedding luck
Now if we heed to this tradition or superstition we would all want torrential downpours on our wedding days! In some cultures it is believed that rain on your wedding day symbolizes fertility. It signifies new starts, unity and renewal. Some even go as far as claiming that it represents the last tears the bride will shed for the rest of her life.
Maybe rain on your wedding day does bring good luck. If you have the right attitude you are already on the path to a successful marriage. And you will understand that a bit of rain doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, and that it won’t change how you feel about each other.
Also just a note, at Intundla Wedding Venue near Pretoria, we cater for both wet and dry weddings!
