Wedding Traditions

Lake of the Sky’s wedding experts have collected some of the most-loved and cherished wedding traditions from around the world. What traditions will you include into your Tahoe wedding?

• The expression “Tie the Knot” comes from Roman times when the bride wore a girdle tied in knots. The groom had the task of untying the knots after they married.
• Vena Amoris is the special vein that runs from the third finger on the left hand directly to the heart, which is why wedding rings are worn on that finger.
• The bridal bouquet dates back to ancient times when the bride would have a bouquet of strongly scented herbs and spices, even garlic, to ward off evil spirits
• A silver sixpence in her shoe is to wish the bride wealth.
• Before Queen Victoria made white wedding dresses the standard, brides wore the color blue to symbolize purity, faithfulness and loyalty.
• The wedding band is placed on the finger first because it is closest to your heart.
• Before engagement rings were given as a sign of betrothal, a man would give his bride-to-be a coin or gold to show his good intentions. In the Middle Ages, this coin was split in two, each person wearing one-half of the coin to show commitment.
• It is said that the first wedding ring was given in 1477 to Mary Burgundy by Maximilian I, King of Germany.
• The “Bridal Shower” is from a folk tale about a daughter of a rich man, who wanted to marry the son of a pauper. The girl’s father disapproved of the wedding and refused the dowry. In response, the townspeople “showered” them with gifts so they could be wed.
• An abundance of flowers and food at the wedding celebration symbolizes the fruitfulness that family and friends wish for the bride and groom.
• The tears of a bride are good luck and must be caught. Farmers used to think that if a bride cried, there would be rain to water the crops. It is said that if you cry on your wedding day, you’ll never have a reason to cry in your marriage.
• In early times, a loaf of bread was broken over the bride’s head and the guests would scramble to pick up the crumbs for good luck. Later the tradition changed and instead the bride and groom would kiss over a pail of cupcakes. Guests would take the cupcakes to bring a piece of the couple’s good fortune home with them. It was said that any single woman who puts a piece of the groom’s cake under her pillow will see the face of her future husband in her dreams.