by Susan Quilty

Created on: September 20, 2009

Weddings are steeped in tradition and many of these traditions are based in superstition. While some wedding superstitions are thought to ward off evil spirits, most are said to affect the future happiness of the marriage itself. Though these superstitions are not always known to the bride and groom, many of them have become important parts of the wedding ceremony and reception.

* Common Wedding Traditions *

Even the most logical bride and groom will overlook the superstitious backgrounds of these traditional wedding elements and keep them as part of their special day.

1. Something Old, Something New... - For good luck, a bride is supposed to have one of each item from the popular rhyme "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue". Many brides also continue this rhyme by adding a penny in her shoe.

2. White Dress - White was not always the preferred color for brides and its emergence had nothing to do with purity. Brides of old simply wore their best finery. In Victorian times, wealthy women began wearing white as it was impractical and showed that they could afford to wear a dress that would never be wearable again.

3. Cutting the Wedding Cake - At one time, the bride sliced the first piece of cake or else the couple would be childless. The bride and groom cutting the cake together is a more recent tradition that brings unity to the marriage. The cake itself should be made of the richest ingredients to bring an abundance of good fortune to the married couple.

4. Tossing the Bouquet and Garter - At the end of the reception, the bride tosses her bouquet toward the unmarried women. Whichever single woman catches it will be the next to marry. The same is then done with the groom throwing the bride's garter toward the unmarried men with the same result.

5. Carrying the Bride over the Threshold - There are multiple claims behind this tradition. One is that this protects the bride from evil spirits lurking under the threshold. Another says that this keeps the bride from possibly tripping on her way into the home, which would bring bad luck. In Roman times, it was considered symbolic of purity as a bride would not willingly sacrifice her virginity and must be carried to the marriage bed.

* More Superstitious Wedding Traditions *

While these wedding superstitions are practiced less often in modern times, some family still cling to them as important portents for the success of the marriage.

1. The final stitch in a bride's wedding gown should not be placed

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