Wedding Traditions And Superstitions To Consider

There are many wedding traditions and superstitions that go along with the act of becoming husband and wife. Most people have forgotten, or never knew, the traditions or superstitions that go behind some of the many rituals that are performed in our everyday weddings. For many, we just take them for granted and never really learn the history of these traditions.

For instance, if you wear pearls on your wedding day you allegedly won’t cry since the pearls represent the tears you might otherwise cry. That is just one of the many old wives tales that many of us know about, but not the reason behind it. Many people are not aware where these superstitions originated from, regardless that they are well known worldwide. In addition, many opinions differ on these superstitions on whether or not they really are good or bad luck.

Rain Rain Make It Go Away

Some superstitions say that rain on your wedding day is considered bad luck because it may represent the many tears a bride will cry throughout her married life. While others consider rain on a wedding day good luck, because it will bring with it fertility and good fortune, as it means that the rain will sustain and replenish the crop. Some also believe that rain on your wedding day is a cleansing for a new life as husband and wife. Either way you believe most would prefer not to have rain on their special day and that your luck is just an old wives tail. Many believe if you want to stop the rain, just boil some rocks or hang up some rosary beads in your window the night before your wedding, and rain is sure to stay away.

Evil Spirits and Babies

Do you know the reason why we tie cans to the back of cars or why flower girls drop rose petals down the aisle? The thought of tying cans together is thought in a way so that if the cans make a lot of noise, it will ward off the evil spirits. As for the rose petals, superstition has it so that the bride and groom will have many chances to bear children together. A lot of these superstitions can be a bit on the morbid side. For example, if the bride’s dress rips, that means that the marriage will end in death or if the lit candles in your wedding go out, it is meant that an evil spirit is about.

Time and Rice Throwing

Have you ever thought about what time of the day your wedding might mean or if there is a good or bad time to get married? Superstition is that you should say your vows when the hour hand on the clock is going up so that within your marriage you will work together. However, if the hand is pointing down it is considered bad luck. So why do people throw rice at the new couple? You might be surprised to learn that it was thought to feed the evil spirits so it would distract them and keep the new couple safe. Another known reason is that it was thought to be a way of wishing prosperity and fertility on to the new couple.

Months of the Year

There are a lot of funny little rhymes that often go along with weddings. One of the rhymes goes with the different months of the year, which would then reveal whether or not it is good or bad luck to marry on that day. If you’re superstitious, then after reading the rhyme you may want to consider changing your wedding month or just leave it as is and turn your cheek to the superstition. The rhyme goes as follows:

“Married when the year is new, he’ll be loving, kind, and true, When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate. If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you’ll know. Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man. Marry in the month of May, and you’ll surely rue the day. Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you’ll go. Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bread. Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see. Marry in September’s shrine, your living will be rich and fine. If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry. If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember. When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.”