Tying the knot is no easy business. All the planning and work there is to do, making the guest list, picking the best dress, creating a seating chart, choosing a menu, a photographer, the DJ… and the list goes on and on. As if all this was not enough, superstitions as well are part of the fun and stress of a wedding. So we have gathered together wedding superstitions from ten different countries from around the world to see that there is more to it than just ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’.
The United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, it is believed that if the bride finds a spider on her dress, she will have good luck. At the same time, some days of the week are considered to be better or worse for getting married. Saturday was once considered the unluckiest of all in English folklore, while Wednesday was the best! You should get married on Monday if you want wealth and on Tuesday if you want health.
Italy
Italians have their superstitions too. Apparently, the veil tradition started in Rome and it was supposed to hide and protect the bride from the evil spirits that were jealous of her. More modern superstitions say that the newly married couple should break a glass on their wedding day and the number of broken pieces will count as the years of being together. Let’s not forget about the rain. It is said that if the bride gets rained upon during her big day, she will be very lucky and happy!
The United States
It was in the United States that the ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’ saying started, but there are other superstitions too. The groom cannot see his future wife wearing her wedding gown because it will bring bad luck upon them both. At the same time, the bride-to-be should not bake her own wedding cake, but get it done by someone else.
India
Some of the most curious superstitions are Indian. It is said that you should not spill or let the milk boil during the celebration days or you will be unlucky. Similarly, the-bride-to-be is supposed to make lentil balls and send them to her future husband’s house. This is considered to be a proof that their home will never experience hunger!
Greece
Needless to say the Greeks have their big day superstitions too. The bride is not allowed to pick up her dress after the sun has fallen, and it is important she does not forget to slip in a gold coin in her left shoe before walking down the aisle.
Russia
Russians have their superstitions as well. While the month of May is a very popular choice among couples all over the world, for some reason, in Russia it is seen as a bad time for tying the knot. Also no-one should not try on the veil and the dress of a future wife or the wedding will not take place anymore.
Spain
The Spanish don’t seem to have too many superstitions. However getting knives as a wedding gift is a sign of very bad luck for the couple. At the same time, if you want to ever get married, make sure no one sweeps a broom over your feet.
Australia
You can find wedding related superstitions in Australia too. The bride and the bridesmaids were supposed to be wearing the same colour in order to confuse the evil spirits, but nowadays it’s not so common anymore!
Finland
Also Finland has its superstitions. Traditionally, brides used to go from door to door accompanied by an older man to collect gifts from their neighbours in a pillowcase. This was seen as a symbol of a long marriage. Also to keep the flame of love alive throughout their entire marriage, the couple would have to wear matches on their big day.
China
Believe it or not, there are wedding superstitions in China too. The couple will give their guests sweets packaged in red and definitely their clothes should be red too, but also yellow or white. If you gift them money, remember that it has to be in even numbers as it refers to the fact that everything has to be a couple.
Are there any superstitions about weddings where you come from? And we cannot help but wonder, if you are a mixed cultures couple, will you apply all of them at your wedding?