Why We Do That at Weddings:
A Quiz on Wedding Traditions
1. Why are brides carried over the threshold?
A.) Her long train might make her trip.
B.) To test the groom's strength.
C.) In ancient times, it was believed that evil spirits lived in doorways.
2. Why does the groom stand to the bride's right?
A.) So that the groom's right hand is free to defend the bride in case of attack.
B.) So the bride's right hand can hang onto him if he tries to run away.
C.) So the groom's right hand can waive for a medic if the bride faints.
3. Why does the bride carry a bouquet of scented flowers?
A.) In ancient times there was no deodorant, you see ...
B.) It symbolizes the bride as a delicate flower.
C.) It kept bridal parties from ripping the bride's dress and veil.
4. Why do families sit on opposite sides of the church aisle?
A.) To keep them from killing each other.
B.) So everyone can easily tell who is more popular.
C.) No, really, to keep them from killing each other.
5. Why do people throw rice at weddings?
A.) Like many wedding rituals, it's a fertility thing.
B.) It's a way for the guests to say, "Hey, how come you didn't serve rice!"
C.) It's a way for the guests to say, "Look, dude, the bride gets to throw the bouquet, so why shouldn't WE throw something!"
ANSWERS:
1) c. Because in ancient times, it was believed that evil spirits lived in doorways, and they might try to trip the bride.
2) a. So the groom's right hand is free in case of attack. In times past, brides were often thought of as property, and sometimes family feuds or tribal disputes were settled by the joining of two families. Sometimes even the wedding didn't QUITE settle things...
3) c. Because it kept bridal parties from ripping the brides dress and veil. This springs from another ancient superstition that touching a bride brings good luck, and guests would sometimes take a piece of cloth from the bridal outfit. This grew into the tradition of the bouquet and the throwing of it to bring good luck to unmarried maidens at the wedding.
4) a. or c. To keep them from killing each other. As mentioned in the answer to question 2, marriages we sometimes held between two warring families, and it was healthier for everyone to keep the families at a distance!
5) a. Yet again from ancient tradition, there was much concern that the bride must produce children, and the more the better. So various "good luck" rituals at weddings sprang from beliefs about what would bring fertility to the couple. Remember, though, that regardless of how a tradition started, they become meaningful to us because of how they add to the wedding experience TODAY. So, throw the bouquet, throw rice (or birdseed), and let him carry you over the threshold - it's kinda fun!
A.) Her long train might make her trip.
B.) To test the groom's strength.
C.) In ancient times, it was believed that evil spirits lived in doorways.
2. Why does the groom stand to the bride's right?
A.) So that the groom's right hand is free to defend the bride in case of attack.
B.) So the bride's right hand can hang onto him if he tries to run away.
C.) So the groom's right hand can waive for a medic if the bride faints.
3. Why does the bride carry a bouquet of scented flowers?
A.) In ancient times there was no deodorant, you see ...
B.) It symbolizes the bride as a delicate flower.
C.) It kept bridal parties from ripping the bride's dress and veil.
4. Why do families sit on opposite sides of the church aisle?
A.) To keep them from killing each other.
B.) So everyone can easily tell who is more popular.
C.) No, really, to keep them from killing each other.
5. Why do people throw rice at weddings?
A.) Like many wedding rituals, it's a fertility thing.
B.) It's a way for the guests to say, "Hey, how come you didn't serve rice!"
C.) It's a way for the guests to say, "Look, dude, the bride gets to throw the bouquet, so why shouldn't WE throw something!"
ANSWERS:
1) c. Because in ancient times, it was believed that evil spirits lived in doorways, and they might try to trip the bride.
2) a. So the groom's right hand is free in case of attack. In times past, brides were often thought of as property, and sometimes family feuds or tribal disputes were settled by the joining of two families. Sometimes even the wedding didn't QUITE settle things...
3) c. Because it kept bridal parties from ripping the brides dress and veil. This springs from another ancient superstition that touching a bride brings good luck, and guests would sometimes take a piece of cloth from the bridal outfit. This grew into the tradition of the bouquet and the throwing of it to bring good luck to unmarried maidens at the wedding.
4) a. or c. To keep them from killing each other. As mentioned in the answer to question 2, marriages we sometimes held between two warring families, and it was healthier for everyone to keep the families at a distance!
5) a. Yet again from ancient tradition, there was much concern that the bride must produce children, and the more the better. So various "good luck" rituals at weddings sprang from beliefs about what would bring fertility to the couple. Remember, though, that regardless of how a tradition started, they become meaningful to us because of how they add to the wedding experience TODAY. So, throw the bouquet, throw rice (or birdseed), and let him carry you over the threshold - it's kinda fun!