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    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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    1. The Groomsmen
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    8. Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

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    1. The Groomsmen
    2. The Bachelor Party
    3. The Bridal Shower
    4. The Bridesmaids
    5. The White Wedding Dress
    6. The Veil
    7. The Bouquet
    8. Old, New, Borrowed and Blue
    9. Can't See the Bride before the Wedding
    10. Father Giving Away the Bride
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    1. Photo by: Bride and Groom
      The Groomsmen
      The most popular myth associated with having groomsmen is from in a more primitive time when men kidnapped their brides. When women came into short supply "locally," eligible bachelors would have to seek out and capture a bride from a neighboring community. The groomsmen, called bride-knights, helped their friend capture his bride. The first ushers and best men were more like a small army, fighting off the ... more 
      Photo by: Bride and Groom
      The Groomsmen
      The most popular myth associated with having groomsmen is from in a more primitive time when men kidnapped their brides. When women came into short supply "locally," eligible bachelors would have to seek out and capture a bride from a neighboring community. The groomsmen, called bride-knights, helped their friend capture his bride. The first ushers and best men were more like a small army, fighting off the brides angry relatives as the groom rode away with her. Then they stood guard at the ceremony to protect the groom from the bride's angry family. Additionally, as with bridesmaids, having groomsmen present would help confuse evil spirits as to the groom's true identity. less 

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