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 Bachelor Party
  2. The Bridal Shower
  3. The Bridesmaids
  4. The Groomsmen
  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