Season’s greetings!
Engagement Season in fact (officially running from Christmas Eve until Valentine’s Day – according to Hamish at Bridebook!), from your Brighton-based Wedding Celebrant Mark, civilcelebrantsussex.
Many of you beautiful, newly engaged couples will soon start to plan ahead for the big day – and organised planning is essential – venues and suppliers (especially Celebrants!!) will be getting booked up quickly.
You may well be aware of some popular traditions and superstitions surrounding marriage, but not know the origins. Many of these traditions are equally appropriate in modern ceremonies and you might want to incorporate some into your own wedding, even adapt them to reflect your values in todays society!
As a fully inclusive LGBTQ+ wedding celebrant, I am excited by the kaleidoscope of love and full equality for couples in British Law. We are so fortunate to live in a country which takes pride in it’s diverse and multicultural population.
I’m thrilled to take you on a captivating journey through the origins of just a few British wedding superstitions and traditions. Join me as we unravel the historical tapestry woven into these customs and explore their enduring symbolism in modern ceremonies and even breath new life into adapting these traditions for all couples.
Something Old, Something New: A Spectrum of Love
In the quaint corridors of time, the tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” was born. Each item, carefully chosen, carries profound symbolism. The old symbolises continuity, the new represents optimism for the future, the borrowed item embodies borrowed happiness, and the blue colour wards off the evil eye. In modern weddings, couples embrace this tradition as a heartfelt connection to the past while stepping into their shared future.
Couples from different cultures and backgrounds may choose to infuse their ceremonies with items that honour their heritage, creating a harmonious blend of the old and the new.
In the vibrant spectrum of modern love, the tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” transforms into a celebration of diverse histories and shared futures. Same-sex couples infuse their ceremonies with the radiant colours of pride, turning each item into a vibrant symbol of their unique journey.
Handfasting: A rainbow connection!
In ancient Britain, couples sought a union blessed by nature. Handfasting, a Celtic tradition, involves the binding of hands with a cord, symbolizing the intertwining of two lives. However, within small communities and between tribes many 100’s of years ago, a marriage contract was less of a love match and more of a contract between families to cement allies or gain assets. So the bride and groom were often tied together to prevent them ‘disappearing’ before the marriage!
In contemporary ceremonies, couples embrace this ritual as a powerful symbol of unity, choosing cords that reflect their unique journey together. Same-sex couples may choose cords in the colours of the pride flag, symbolizing the intertwining of their distinct stories and the beauty of their shared connection.
Showered in Prosperity: The Tradition of Rice and Confett
From the rural fields of Britain to modern wedding venues, the act of throwing rice or confetti has deep roots in symbolizing fertility and prosperity. As grains rain down upon the newlyweds, they are blessed with the hope of a bountiful and fruitful life together.
Nowadays, with a greater need for ‘green’ products, there are many sources providing sustainable, biodegradable confetti – favoured more by most venues, especially with outdoor wedding ceremonies.
The Mystique of the Wedding Veil
The enchanting world of wedding veils is one where mystery and tradition converge. Originally worn to protect brides from evil spirits, veils have transformed into a symbol of purity and the unveiling of true love. The delicate lifting of the veil in modern ceremonies represents reverence for the bride’s beauty and the unveiling of a new chapter in the lives of the couple.
Carrying Love Over the Threshold
The ancient act of carrying a partner over the threshold, once rooted in protection from malevolent spirits that may linger at the entrance of the home.
The act of carrying a partner over the threshold transcends cultures, each with its unique twist. From South Asian weddings, where the bride may enter with a red foot imprint, to Nordic traditions where both partners may enter together. For today’s couples, the act transforms into a gesture of support and commitment, whether same-sex or opposite-sex couples. Together, they step into a shared space, creating a sanctuary built on love, understanding and acceptance.
As we journeyed through the corridors of time, we discovered the profound symbolism behind British wedding traditions, now enriched by the diverse love stories of all couples. From something old to the lifting of the veil, these customs continue to add depth and meaning to modern ceremonies, celebrating love in all its beautiful forms and cultural expressions.
As an LGBTQ+ wedding celebrant, I am thrilled to include the blending of tradition and contemporary love stories, creating inclusive ceremonies that are as unique as the couples they celebrate.
May your own journey into love be adorned with the richness of tradition, the promise of a beautiful future, and the radiant colours of the love you share.
Happy Celebrating!
Mark
