Traditional wedding ideas

Wedding Ideas

While we often believe that many of the wedding traditions we practice today are relatively new, most are very ancient and practiced around the world but that does not mean that new wedding ideas cannot be created as well. One of the most famous wedding traditions is still seen in many cultures; that of placing a tiara upon the head of the bride, something that dates back many centuries. However, the tiara or bridal diadem has become a symbol of femininity for a bride as down through the ages the wedding tiara became a half moon shaped band, which displays such finery as ribbons, flowers or gemstones. The bridesmaids can also wear a tiara but they must not be as elaborate as the bride's which usually sits on top of the veil to hold it in place. The tiara is the finishing touch to the wedding dress and many women will keep this beautiful item for the rest of their lives, such is the importance of it. For those who attend the bride on her wedding day it is often thought that providing them with tiara style rings as wedding favors is a good way to thank them for helping on the bride's special day.

At one time in the past it was quite normal for the newly married couple to be taken to their honeymoon location by all the people attending the wedding. The men would then try to retrieve the garter worn by the bride with the aim to either wear it on the hat they were wearing like a trophy or to present to their betrothed. However, this particular wedding idea tradition seemed to lead to disorderly ways of unclothing the poor bride, so the bride took to tossing her garter to the male guests of her wedding party as soon as the wedding ceremony was over.

Tradition said that the man to catch the thrown garter would be the next to be wed but unfortunately many men that had consumed too much alcohol would attempt to take the garter by force. In an attempt to maintain good taste at a dignified occasion the bride then started throwing her bouquet instead. Most brides have taken to wearing the garter again even though they are rarely ever used to keep stockings up anymore; nevertheless they have become very popular.

The garter should really be blue as a sign of good luck although this tradition has not really stuck as women often favor red garters nowadays. Nowadays when the garter is used the tradition is for the groom to remove it and either snap it through his fingers at the male's guests or throw it over his shoulder and this way the bride is not likely to be embarrassed. Although tradition says that the man who catches the garter will wed within the year, this fact is probably lost on many.