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Wedding Traditions of Western Europe’s North-Central Region

Wedding traditions in Western Europe are steeped in tradition, with many going back several centuries. However, like much of the world, these traditions have also taken on modern roles and found a way to combine the new with the old.

As you will see, some of these wedding traditions can be very meaningful, glamorous and take on religious overtones. At the same time some of these can also be silly, odd and all out bizarre.

Austria

Many of Austria’s traditions all stem from what is considered to bring good luck and thwart off bad luck, such as:

- Wind and cloudy skies is meant the marriage will be stormy.

- Although it is good luck for the bride to look into the mirror before leaving for her wedding, it is bad luck if she looks at it a second time.

- Red and white flowers symbolizes blood and bandages. Therefore, this floral arraignment is avoided.

- The bride is not to make her own wedding dress.

- The bride is not to wear the entire wedding dress ensemble prior to her actual wedding.

- It considered tempting fate if the bride-to-be practices writing her new name before her wedding day.

- It is unlucky to marry a man with the same first letter of the surname.

- For some good luck, seeing a chimney sweep on the way to the church.

- In addition, seeing rainbows, black cats and spiders on the way to the church is also a good omen.

- Although ugly skies are of concern, rain itself is considered good luck and snow means wealth and fertility.

One other note about an Austrian wedding, an old tradition is whichever partner buys the other a new gift first is considered the dominant person in the relationship. Brides are usually the wiser and often plan ahead as they buy a small item from a bridesmaid directly after the wedding ceremony.

Belgium

Like many of the European countries, Belgium is no different. A Belgium wedding can be done either as a religious ceremony or it can be done in a civil ceremony fashion.

Many of the Belgium’s new and old traditions include:

- Wedding invitations being printed on two pieces of paper. One sheet is from the bride’s family, while the other is from the groom’s. These sheets represent the bringing together of the two families.

- During the ceremony, the bride will stop during her walk up the aisle and hand her mother a single flower and embrace. The same will be done during the recessional, with both the bride and groom to the groom’s mother, as symbolizes the new bride accepting her new mother.

- During the ceremony, the bride and groom are considered the King and Queen for the day. Therefore they will sit in two large chairs that is located near the front alter.

- The kiss that takes place at the end of the ceremony is a sign of breathing a portion of themselves into their new partner’s soul.

- For the ceremony, the bride will carry with her an embroidered handkerchief. The bride’s name is embroidered on it and after the ceremony it is hung on their wall in a frame. Later, it will be handed down to another bride and the tradition will continue.

- At the ceremony, the bridesmaids will go and collect coins from the guests and as the new couple exit from the church, the coins are then tossed to the poor waiting outside the church. Giving money as gifts symbolizes prosperity for the new couple.

Germany

With its rich traditions, Germany is no different than any other Western European country filled old and modern traditions, such as:

- After the wedding date is announced, trees that were planted the day the bride was born, are sold off to help pay for the dowry.

- It is also customary for a wedding newspaper to be created by family and friends that contains stories and photos of the newly engaged couple.

- A German wedding can last up to three days. Day one is a civil ceremony for family and close friends. Day two is the big ceremony for all to attend. Day three is a religious ceremony.

- Wedding guests bring, and then break, dishes thus leaving them to be swept up by the new couple. Sweeping up the mess as a couple means nothing will be broken in their new house.

- While leaving the church from the ceremony, coins are tossed to watching children.

- After the third ceremony, the best man will take the bride from the reception to a local pub. While there, they will drink champagne together until they are found by the groom. Once the groom finds them, he is to pay the bar bill.

Wedding Traditions of American Clothing

Ever wonder where some of our wedding traditions began or what they represent? With the exception of Native Americans, all rituals came from the immigrants that came to this country from all over the world, thus bringing with them their own traditions.

As time has gone by, Americans have taken many of the old ways and molded them together to create their own styles and traditions. Many of the things we see or do in our ceremonies or receptions are generally based on symbolism. In addition, religion, superstition and the warding off of evils spirits play a huge part in these traditions.

Wearing of the Bridal Veil

Often we think of the veil to be a beautiful accessory that compliments the wedding dress, but the veil originally represented the subordination of the woman to her man. At the end of the ceremony, the veil is lifted. If the man lifts it, it represents male dominance over his bride. However, if the bride lifted it, she is showing independence.

Wearing of the four Something’s: Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

- Wearing Something Old symbolizes continuity while transitioning from being a single person to a married one.

- Wearing Something New is a tradition that represents a transition for the married person into adulthood.

- It was thought that good fortunes would be bestowed on to the new married couple by wearing Something Borrowed from a happily married couple.

- Wearing Something Blue, such as Blue ribbons, which represented love, fidelity and modesty, were often worn on the borders of the bride’s wedding dress in ancient Israel. Many also believe that the color blue represents the purity of the Virgin Mary.

The Wedding Dress

Prior to 1840, the bride would just wear the best dress that she owned. Then Queen Victoria decided to wear a white dress for her wedding and passed on wearing the royal tradition of the silver dress. The color of white has also been known to represent purity and joyous celebration.

The Groom’s Tuxedo

Much like the bride, the groom only wore his best clothes, but changed as the modern tuxedo became popular in American culture. Many feel it was President Theodore Roosevelt that made it popular to wear.

The Wedding Attire for Bridal Party

In the old days, it was tradition for the bride, the groom and their attendants to walk together to the church for the wedding. In an effort to trick any passer-byes that may put a curse on the couple, everyone dressed the same to confuse the curser into not knowing who the actual couple was. Today, we dress alike simply for pageantry of the wedding.

The Garter Belt

The bride once wore one garter belt, often in blue satin that was used to be tossed. Today, the bride often wears two garter belts. One belt is generally removed by the groom at the reception and is generally colored to match the wedding colors. The other belt is kept by the bride as a memory piece from her wedding.

Penny placed in a Shoe

Placing a penny in the bride’s shoe on the day of the wedding goes back to European symbolism. It is thought that the penny will bring fortune, good luck and protect from wanting by the bride. After the wedding, the bride often displays the penny with her wedding memories or incorporates it into some form of jewelry.

Bride’s Handkerchief

The handkerchief that is carried by the bride has taken on different meanings over the years. In modern times, a handkerchief is often carried to wipe away tears of joy and happiness. However, in the past, it was often thought tears on a wedding day would bring rain for their crops and was considered a lucky thing. Crying at the wedding also symbolized that the bride would never cry about her marriage ever again.

The Wedding Ring

The wedding ring has various symbols depending on what part of the world you are from. The ring is believed to have started as early as 3,000 B.C., by the Egyptians as they coined the phrase, “without beginning, without end.” Their rings were made from woven hemp. In addition, because the ring was round, it represented an unending love, just as it is today.

From the days of hemp, the bride’s ring has evolved. Romans used iron and Italians used diamonds. Today, the tradition is usually gold, but sometimes silver can also be used, depending on the bride’s preference.

In America, it is custom to place both the engagement and wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand, which the reason it’s referred to as the “ring finger.” However, that was not always the case. In the very early days, the ring was placed on the index finger. It then was moved to the third finger as many thought that the third finger had the “vein of love” which happens to lead straight to the heart.