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Why We Do That at Weddings? A Comical Quiz on Wedding
Traditions
by Rev. John Connor
1.) Why are brides carried over the threshold?
A.) Her long train might make her trip. B.) To test the
groom's strength. C.) In ancient times, it was believed that evil spirits lived
in doorways.
2.) Why does the groom stand to the bride's right?
A.) So that the groom's right hand is free to defend the
bride in case of attack. B.) So the bride's right hand can hang onto him if he
tries to run away. C.) So the groom's right hand can waive for a medic if the
bride faints.
3.) Why does the bride carry a bouquet of scented flowers?
A.) In ancient times there was no deodorant, you see ... B.)
It symbolizes the bride as a delicate flower. C.) It kept bridal parties from
ripping the bride's dress and veil.
4.) Why do families sit on opposite sides of the church
aisle?
A.) To keep them from killing each other. B.) So everyone
can easily tell who is more popular. C.) No, really, to keep them from killing
each other.
5.) Why do people throw rice at weddings?
A.) Like many wedding rituals, it's a fertility thing. B.)
It's a way for the guests to say, "Hey, how come you didn't serve
rice?!" C.) It's a way for the guests to say, "Look, dude, the bride
gets to throw the bouquet, so why shouldn't we throw something?!"
ANSWERS:
1.) c. Because in ancient times, it was believed that evil
spirits lived in doorways, and they might try to trip the bride.
2.) a. So the groom's right hand is free in case of attack.
In times past, brides were often thought of as property, and sometimes family
feuds or tribal disputes were settled by the joining of two families. Sometimes
even the wedding didn't quite settle things...
3.) c. Because it kept bridal parties from ripping the
brides dress and veil. This springs from another ancient superstition that
touching a bride brings good luck, and guests would sometimes take a piece of
cloth from the bridal outfit. This grew into the tradition of the bouquet and
the throwing of it to bring good luck to unmarried maidens at the wedding.
4.) a. or c. To keep them from killing each other. As
mentioned in the answer to question 2, marriages were sometimes held between
two warring families, and it was healthier for everyone to keep the families at
a distance!
5.) a. Yet again from ancient tradition, there was much
concern that the bride must produce children, and the more the better. So
various "good luck" rituals at weddings sprang from beliefs about
what would bring fertility to the couple. Remember, though, that regardless of
how a tradition started, they become meaningful to us because of how they add
to the wedding experience today. So, throw the bouquet, throw rice (or
birdseed), and make sure that man of yours carries you over the threshold
because hey, it's not like he has to walk around with a train!
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