• Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue – The old represents a link with the bride’s old life, blue is a symbol of purity and fidelity, borrowed represents good luck, new represents good fortune and success in the bride’s new life
• Shoes are traditionally tied to the back of the newly weds car as a symbol of Fertility
• Church bells are rung at the end of the wedding ceremony to drive away Evil spirits
• The bride traditionally stands on the groom’s left to leave his right hand free To grab his sword
• The woman who catches the bouquet is said to be the next to marry
• The top tier of the wedding cake is traditionally saved to be used at the christening of the couple’s first child
• Doves, frogs, goats, lizards and lambs are all good omens if spotted on the way to the wedding ceremony
• The Romans believed that a kiss following the marital vows bound the couple’s souls together
• The groom carries the bride over the threshold to protect her from evil spirits
• The bride wears a veil to protect her from evil spirits
• The original reason to have a best man was to defend the groom against anyone

Who might steal the bride

• Rice or confetti is thrown to symbolize fertility
• June weddings are lucky because of ties to June, Roman goddess of marriage and fertility.
• Sunshine is the luckiest weather, for the bride will be happy.  If there is snow, the Couple knows wealth, rain – no more tears

Ceremony

• Brides today are escorted to the altar by their fathers or a significant person, but are rarely given away, a custom tied to arranged marriages, when the bride was property.
  The officiate may ask instead- “Who supports this man and woman?”
• Altar position – the bride stands to the groom’s left, a remnant of marriage by capture, when he needed his sword hand free for defense
• Many euphoric pairs share their joy by including the Kiss of Peace – a hug or handshake passed from clergy member and the couple