Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Ceremony & Reception Wedding Traditions & Rituals 15 Wedding Traditions and Superstitions, Explained By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 2, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Lauren Galloway Photography As you plan your wedding, there are so many things you'll be told you "have" to do, but the truth is, your big day is just that—yours. While we're firm believers that you definitely don't have to wear white, have bridesmaids, or cut a towering cake during the reception, we do think it's worth at least considering some of the long-standing wedding traditions to determine if they're right for you. And along with traditions come superstitions, which you're bound to hear about throughout the planning process. Marriage ceremonies are steeped in history, and with so many cultures, religions, regions, and couples adding their own customs into the mix, it should come as no surprise that wedding-related traditions and superstitions have emerged over the years—but what might surprise you is that many are still followed today. While it's entirely up to you whether or not you embrace them for your own nuptials, some are at least worth considering. From the sweet to the bizarre and the spooky, we've demystified the most popular wedding superstitions—and shared their origins. 01 of 15 Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue Brittany Partain We've all heard this rhyme used when someone gets married, but what does it mean? Wearing "something old" represents the bride's past, while the "something new" symbolizes the couple's happy future. The bride is supposed to get her "something borrowed" from someone who is happily married in the hope that some of that person's good fortune rubs off on her. "Something blue" denotes fidelity and love. The Most Unique Ideas for Your "Something Blue" 02 of 15 Bury the Bourbon Katie Stoops Photography While some traditions take place on the wedding day, others are done in advance of the nuptials, such as burying a bottle of bourbon. Southern folklore says that to prevent rain on your big day, you should bury the beverage upside down at the wedding site one month before and dig it up after the ceremony to enjoy. 03 of 15 Wearing a Veil Allen Tsai This custom traces its roots back to Rome. Fearing evil spirits were jealous of her happiness, the bride would wear a veil down the aisle to disguise herself from them and avoid any ill will they wished to bring upon her. 12 Seriously Stunning Wedding Veils 04 of 15 Rain on Your Wedding Day Masson Liang In some cultures, rain on your wedding day symbolizes fertility and cleansing. While it might seem like it would put quite literally put a damper on the festivities, we say take it all in stride: At the end of the day, you're still marrying the love of your life, and that's what really matters. How to Get Amazing Wedding Photos—Even if It Rains 05 of 15 Knives as Wedding Gifts YASU+JUNKO According to folklore, a knife signifies a broken relationship and is bad luck to give as a wedding present. If knives are on your registry, just give the gift giver a penny. That way, it's considered a purchase. 06 of 15 Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold Awesomesauce Photography This superstition began in medieval Europe, when many believed that a bride was extra vulnerable to evil spirits through the soles of her feet. To avoid bringing in any evil spirits, the groom carried the bride into their new home. 07 of 15 A Spider on Your Wedding Dress Abby Jiu Photography Finding an eight-legged creature on your gorgeous gown might seem like a big-day nightmare, but English lore claims that it's a good omen. 08 of 15 Using Your Married Name Before the Wedding Alex Lasota Some think it is tempting fate for the bride to write out her married name or monogram before she's actually married, and that the wedding will not take place if she does so. If you're superstitious, save the monogramming for your reception décor and registry items. 09 of 15 The Sugar Cube Rebecca Wood According to Greek culture, placing a sugar cube on the bride will sweeten the marriage. For her wedding merging Greek and Canadian traditions, this bride had her florist, Coriander Girl, add them to the stems of her bouquet. 10 of 15 Ringing Bells Abby Jiu Photography Bells are traditionally chimed at Irish weddings to keep evil spirits away and to ensure a harmonious family life. Some Irish brides even carry small bells in their bouquets as a reminder of their sacred wedding vows, and they are a common gift for newlyweds. 10 Irish Wedding Traditions for Your Big Day 11 of 15 Breaking Glass Jillian Mitchell Photography In Italy, many newlyweds smash a vase or glass at their wedding, and they put a lot of muscle into it, too! Why? According to tradition, however many pieces the glassware breaks into will symbolize how many years the couple will be happily married. 12 of 15 Crying on Your Wedding Day Rebecca Ou Photography It is supposed to be good luck for the bride to cry on her wedding day because it symbolizes that she has shed all her tears and will not have any to shed during her marriage. So, go ahead and get teary-eyed. Just be sure to wear some waterproof mascara! 13 of 15 Seeing Each Other Before the Wedding Anya Kernes Photography This superstition dates back to the time of arranged marriages, when people believed that if the couple saw each other before the ceremony, it would give them a chance to change their minds about the wedding. Today, however, many couples choose to meet up and even have portrait sessions before saying their I dos. Some, however, choose to have a "first touch," during which they can hold hands and chat—but still save that first glimpse for the aisle. 14 of 15 Tossing the Garter Laura Gordon Photography Back in the Dark Ages, the garter was considered a hot item. It's said that family and friends would wait outside the nuptial bedchamber until they were shown evidence—sheets, stockings, a garter—that the marriage had been consummated (seriously!). In time, the garter came to symbolize good luck, and rowdy guests began making a game of trying to strip the bride of that little fabric band. To distract the mob, brides began tossing it into the crowd. Today, the practice usually involves the groom throwing the garter to a group of single men; whoever catches it is believed to be the next to marry. 15 of 15 Cake Topper Nikki Santerre When Queen Victoria opted to crown her wedding cake with mini sculptures of herself and Prince Albert in 1840, the wedding cake topper was born. By the 1920s, the trend had crossed the pond to the United States, gaining popularity in the 1950s when couple figurines came to symbolize marital stability. Today, toppers aren't always cookie-cutter—many personalized sculptures highlight a pair's identities, pets, or hobbies. 25 Unique Wedding Cake Toppers Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit