In our last entry on wedding traditions, we are going to take a look at the Brides outfit and the many superstitions and traditions involved.

There are equally an abundance of traditions and superstitions about the Bride’s outfit. Even today it is considered unlucky for the Groom to see the dress before the wedding. It was thought unlucky to try on the veil and dress together beforehand, or to finish the dress before the big day. Even now some mothers of the Bride sew in a lucky silver charm, tied with blue ribbon, to ensure happiness on the wedding day.

The veil was originally made of a heavy fabric, so that the groom could not see his bride before he took his vows. This is believed to have dated back to arranged marriages where the groom might not like what he saw!

Shoes were very special in weddings long ago. The guests used to throw shoes at the happy couple as they left, if one hit either the Bride or her Groom they were sure to have a long and successful marriage. Now we tie old boots and shoes to the back of the going away cars to symbolize this.

It is also considered lucky for the Bride to have a silver sixpence stuck in her left shoe, and small silver shoes along with horseshoes were used as decorations, on wedding cakes to symbolise wealth and good fortune in the marriage.