Something old, something new, something borrowed, something… stew? No, it’s blue! Everyone knows that one! But, there are actually a ton of weird and wonderful wedding traditions and superstitions you might not have heard of. From warding off evil spirits to sneaky ways to boost your luck in love, these customs have been passed down through generations, and some of them are still going strong today.
Whether you’re superstitious or just curious, here are 15 wedding traditions that might just bring a little extra magic (or at least a good story) to your big day.
Bridal Wedding Traditions
There’s a lot of history to these sweet bridal traditions. Read on to learn about the three most common bridal traditions.
1) Wearing a veil
Wearing a veil is said to ward off evil spirits on your wedding day, protecting the blushing bride from jealous ghouls and bad vibes lurking nearby. This tradition dates all the way back to ancient Rome, where brides wore flame-coloured veils to literally “scare off” evil spirits. Over time, the look got a little softer (thankfully), but the superstition stuck.
However, there is also talk that veils stem from the times when arranged marriages were popular as it prevented the groom from being able to see the bride until it was too late!
2) Wearing white
Wearing white as a wedding colour was first popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840. At the time, white wasn’t associated with purity. It was actually a symbol of wealth and privilege, as only the rich could afford to wear white and keep it clean. The common folk just wore their Sunday best to get married.
But after Victoria’s wedding, brides across Europe and beyond began to copy the look, and eventually, the colour white became synonymous with purity and bridal tradition.
Of course, in many cultures, white is still not the traditional wedding colour. Red, gold, or bright jewel tones are far more common, especially in South Asian and East Asian ceremonies. So while white may feel “classic” to some, it’s actually a relatively modern (and Western) invention.
3) Crying all the way to the altar
A few happy tears on the morning of your wedding is completely normal, and usually a good sign! But, if you can’t control your emotions, it isn’t necessarily a bad sign. Crying all the way to the altar can be considered very lucky.
There’s a superstition that crying all the way to the altar means you’re pre-crying all your tears that may come from marriage, basically symbolising that you’re getting all the hard stuff out of the way early. In some cultures, it’s believed that a bride who cries on her wedding day will never cry again in her marriage.
So, far from being a sign of nerves or regret, those tears can actually represent deep love and excitement.
Good Luck Superstitions
Keen to invite some good luck into your marriage? Try these three popular good luck superstitions.
4) Something old, something new…
Something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe. We all know the old adage. But, did you also know about the silver sixpence tradition? It’s often left out of the rhyme these days, but it’s just as symbolic. The silver sixpence in the bride’s shoe represents wealth and prosperity in the marriage. The idea is that you’re literally stepping into your future with a bit of fortune underfoot.
This custom became especially popular in Victorian England, where the father of the bride would place the sixpence in her shoe before she walked down the aisle. Now, silver sixpences aren’t common, but you can replace them with a penny, or even a lucky charm. Whatever feels right. Some specialist wedding shoe companies, like Charlotte Mills, actually come preloaded with a silver sixpence in every pair of bridal shoes!
5) Throwing confetti
Throwing confetti isn’t just a great photo op, it’s actually very symbolic of showering the couple with good fortune and fertility. The tradition dates back to ancient times when guests would toss rice, grain, or flower petals at newlyweds as a blessing for a prosperous marriage.
Over time, couples started to lean into colourful paper or flower petals, but the meaning stays the same. If you want to take part in this lovely tradition, you’ll need to check with your venue beforehand. Some have limits on what or where confetti is allowed to be thrown!
6) Marrying with the same surname
Did you know that it’s considered bad luck to marry someone with the same surname as you? This probably stems from a time where we didn’t have access to the record-keeping or genetic awareness we do now, so marrying someone with your surname may have raised a few eyebrows. But as the old saying goes: “If you marry in your own name, your luck will never change.”
Of course, in modern times, this is mostly treated as an old superstition rather than something to worry about, especially in parts of the UK and Ireland where certain surnames are very common. You’d be hard pressed to find a Jones that hasn’t married a Jones or a Jenkins a Jenkins in parts of Wales!
Did you know: Although it’s tradition to take your husband’s surname when you marry, there’s no legal requirement to do so. If you both agree, you could even pick a completely new surname and start a fresh family name together. Ever fancied being Mr. and Mrs. Dragon?
Bad Luck Superstitions
Just as there are a ton of good luck wedding superstitions, there are also some bad luck superstitions to avoid.
7) Dropping the wedding ring
Make sure that whoever you chose as a ring bearer isn’t a bit of a butterfingers! Dropping the wedding rings is not only nerve-wracking in the moment, but can actually be a sign of bad luck in the marriage. This superstition dates back centuries, with people believing that the rings absorb the energy of the relationship, so letting them fall is like letting your love slip through your fingers.
If it happens by accident, don’t panic—it’s just a superstition, after all. But if you’re feeling a bit nervous about it, you could choose to have a quick moment together after the ceremony to “re-bless” the rings. This could be a quick prayer, a rinse under cold, running water, or even a cheeky cheers. Whatever feels right to you.
8) Pearl rings and accessories
Pearl rings and accessories are having a moment right now, so it’s hard to believe that, historically, wearing pearls is considered bad luck on your wedding day. It stems from the old belief that pearls represent a bride’s future tears. Their shape and sheen were thought to mimic teardrops, and wearing them was said to invite sorrow into the marriage. The superstition suggests that adorning yourself in pearls on your wedding day could lead to a tearful or troubled union.
That being said, it’s just a superstition, and tons of people have happily worn family pearls on their wedding day and gone on to have blessed marriages. Ultimately, it’s about doing what feels right for you.
9) Knives as a wedding gift
Giving knives as a wedding gift might seem practical, but it’s actually considered a major no-no in many cultures. The superstition goes that gifting knives can “cut” the relationship, symbolising conflict, separation, or even severing the bond between the couple.
And we know—sometimes the happy couple ask for them. But, it is considered a symbol of bad luck. If the newlyweds really want a specific knife set for their new kitchen, a fun workaround is for them to give a penny to the gift giver. Then, the knives are no longer a gift, but were purchased, and so are exempt from the superstition.
Future Wedding Superstitions
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride? Try following these future wedding superstitions and you might just turn your luck around.
10) Barefoot dancing
Baby sis beat you to everything? There might be a way you can reset the cosmic scales. There’s a superstition that if the younger of two sisters marries first, the older must dance barefoot at her wedding or she’ll never find herself a husband. It’s said to symbolically “ground” the older sibling’s luck and clear the way for her own happy ending.
So if you’re the big sister watching your little one say “I do” first, consider kicking off your heels when the music starts—you never know who might be watching!
11) Catch the bouquet
We’d be shocked if you didn’t know this one. But, throwing the bouquet isn’t just a bit of fun, it actually has roots in ancient fertility rites. Back in the day, touching the bride was believed to bring good luck and boost your chances of finding love. Brides got so mobbed by guests eager to tear off a scrap of her dress that they started tossing something instead: the bouquet!
These days, catching the bouquet is said to symbolise that you’ll be the next to walk down the aisle. Whether you’re in it to win it or just feeling lucky, keep your eyes on the flowers and don’t be afraid to dive. Just watch out for Auntie Annie—she’s got a mean left hook.
12) Garter toss
Similar to catching the bouquet, the garter toss is another, slightly risqué tradition that is supposed to bring good fortune and the promise of marriage to whomever catches it.
In olden times, it was considered good luck to take home a piece of the bride’s clothing, so wedding guests would chase her down to snatch part of her dress. To avoid a stampede, the garter became a symbolic stand-in.
These days, the groom removes the garter (all while making a bit of a show of it), and tosses it to the single men. Whoever catches it is said to be the next groom-to-be.
Good Weather Superstitions
Hoping for good weather on your wedding day? We don’t blame you. Try these well known, but definitely very silly, traditions to stave off the rainclouds.
13) Buying an umbrella the day before the wedding
Buying an umbrella the day before your wedding day is said to ward off rain rather than invite it, kind of like tempting fate in reverse. The idea is that if you come prepared, the universe will decide you don’t need it. Sod’s law!
Whichever umbrella you pick, make sure it’s a pretty one that matches the theme of the day. You might not need it, but if you do, at least it’ll match the vibe!
14) Burying the sausage
This tradition has been doing the rounds on TikTok recently. Apparently, it’s an Australian tradition where the bridal party buris a sausage (yes, a literal sausage) in the garden the day before the wedding to guarantee good weather. No one knows exactly why this is meant to work. Maybe it’s an offering to the weather gods, maybe it’s just a bit of fun. But, Australian couples swear by it.
15) Burying a bottle of bourbon or whiskey
Similar to burying the sausage, but with a South American twist. This tradition made its way over the pond a few years ago, and is very popular in some circles. It involves burying a full, unopened bottle of bourbon or whiskey upside down at the wedding venue exactly one month before the big day to guarantee clear skies.
It’s said to originate from old Southern folklore, and while it’s a bit of a logistical challenge, many couples report perfectly sunny weather. Just remember where you buried it! No one wants a pre-speech treasure hunt.
Did you know: As much as we all hope for blue skies and sunshine on our wedding days, a little bit of rain can be a sign of a prosperous wedding. In knot-making, water makes the knot tighter, so by “tying the knot” on a wet day, you’re actually symbolising a bond that’s even stronger and harder to break.
The Bottom Line on Wedding Traditions and Superstitions
Wedding traditions and superstitions really are just a bit of fun. Whether you’re superstitious, or just a little stitious, we all know there’s no scientific proof that you’ll have a happy or unhappy wedding and marriage if you do or don’t wear pearls. Equally, there’s no guarantee of sunshine if you bury a Richmond sausage in the garden after too many glasses of prosecco. But, if it might make a difference, or even if you feel like it might, why not try it?
Our advice is to pick the wedding traditions that feel right to you and your partner, and that make you smile. If nothing else, it’s a great story, and something to laugh about with your grandkids one day.
You Might Also Like…
- Black Wedding Traditions to Honour Your Heritage
- Bridebook’s 10 Favourite Wedding Traditions
- The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Guide
- The Best Wedding Day Timeline
Happy Planning!
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