Strange Love: 10 Bizarre Explanations for Popular Wedding Traditions

We've been seeing grooms kiss brides in movies for years, have watched as she throws the bouquet over her shoulder, have clapped as cars trailing tin cans or shoes drive off into the sunset. You may have done all these things yourself. But do you know why? Why the bride wears a veil, why she can't see the groom before the wedding, why she carries a bouquet down the aisle, why rings are exchanged? Weddings involve a lot of unusual rituals, but where did these traditions originate? They've been around for centuries and, whether you know it or not, most are steeped in significant meaning and historical rationale dating as far back as the middle ages. Below are 10 explanations and origins for the most popular wedding traditions. - By Monica Bielanko

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Photo by: Bride and Groom

The Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids as we know them help the bride prepare for her big day. But once upon a time their duties were much more serious. A custom once existed where maidens dressed similarly to the bride would accompany her as her protectors on her way to the groom's village. This would deflect spurned suitors from kidnapping the bride or from stealing her dowry. Also, it was Roman law that several witnesses ... more
Photo by: Bride and Groom
The Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids as we know them help the bride prepare for her big day. But once upon a time their duties were much more serious. A custom once existed where maidens dressed similarly to the bride would accompany her as her protectors on her way to the groom's village. This would deflect spurned suitors from kidnapping the bride or from stealing her dowry. Also, it was Roman law that several witnesses accompany the bride and groom so as to confuse the evil spirits trying to get at the couple. That's why in many older photos the bridesmaids are dressed like the bride. It wasn't tacky to dress like the bride, it was crucial! less

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