- Most bridal traditions & especially the stag's party's original purpose was to drive away evil spirits who were said to have been jealous of the couple's happiness.
- Ringing the church bells or gun salute were for the same reason.
- Ushers & bridesmaids were first brought in to confuse the evil spirits.
- The bride's veil was a ruse to protect her from the evil eye or symbolise her removal from her parent's protection.
- Orange blossom in the bride's bouquet were thought to symbolise chastity & purity. The evergreen leaves were a token of everlasting love.
- Horseshoes bring good luck. The shape represents the moon & is a fertility symbol. The silver colour kept the witches away.
- Traditionally the bride does not bake her own wedding cake as the fruit represents fertility & brings good luck to all who eat it. (Rice throwing also represents fertility.
- Decorating the wedding car dates back to when the bride's attendants would decorate the wedding bed with flowers & ribbons.
Blue = constancy
Green = youth
Yellow = honour or joy
Gold = gaiety
Straw colour = plenty
Flesh colour = lust
- Throwing the bouquet into the crowd originated from when guests used to accompany the couple into the bridal chamber & the bride would throw a stocking or a shoe over her shoulder symbolising female sexual organs & represents fertility.
- Carrying the bride over the threshold was to fool evil spirits as it was considered very bad luck to stumble over the doorstep.
- Until 50-60 years ago, most wedding receptions took place at the bride's parent's house as most girls lived with their parents until they got married.
- The wedding breakfast with sit-down lunch with top table & 'placement' which follows an early or mid afternoon service
- The evening dance allowing you to tactfully invite extra guests whom you (for whatever reason) excluded from the ceremony & reception.
- Bride's parents, groom's parents, the bride & groom, the best man, the chief bridesmaid (in that order)
- The chief bridesmaid, groom's father, bride's mother, groom, bride, bride's father, groom's mother & best man (in thay order)
- Traditionally done after the speeches & is usually a tiered fruit cake, the top layer of which is kept for the christening of the first child.
- It is good manners to invite the vicar & his/her spouse, or any other clergy or officials involved.
- Also you should send invitations to the groom's family, best man & all your ushers & bridesmaids as a matter of courtesy.
