Wedding Superstitions

A wedding is such a pivotal and significant time of life. With so much at stake, it’s no wonder that so many superstitions have grown up around this unique experience of shifting from one state as a single person into a new identity as part of a couple.

Many of the beliefs and myths associated with a wedding day date from hundreds of years ago, when very different rules and customs applied. 

Modern couples get to choose which superstitions feel uplifting enough to be incorporated into their wedding celebrations, and which ones are best left behind like so much confetti on the ground.    

Talking of which…

A shower of blessings

Most weddings incorporate guests throwing a flurry of confetti over the happy couple. The term ‘confetti’ itself is the Italian word for confectionery, or little sweets, and referred to the custom of throwing sugared almonds or candies during weddings and festivals. 

Whether you choose rice, paper or eco-friendly flower petals, the tradition of throwing confetti is thought to shower the couple with blessings, and bring them abundance and good luck in their married life.

Sweet superstition  

Another confectionery-based superstition perfect for brides with a sweet tooth is the tradition of popping a sugar cube into your glove on your wedding day. According to Greek custom, the sugar will bring richness, and sweeten your married life together as a couple.

It’ll be all white

For a bride to wear white was once thought to bestow luck upon her, although this superstition is one that emerged relatively recently, when UK brides took to emulating Queen Victoria and her white dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. 

As more brides began to wear the Queen’s colour, they were also displaying their wealth, with a crisp white gown signifying an ability to keep things clean, fresh and new. Stories and poems then grew up around what other colours might signify, though more and more brides are now choosing to ignore those old superstitious rhymes (‘get married in green, you’ll be ashamed to be seen..’) and wear whatever they like!  

Something borrowed

‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…’ The traditional rhyme refers to the bride entering into marriage fully prepared and with everything she might need for a successful marriage. 

Customarily, borrowing something from a female family member, especially one who was already happily wed, was seen as a good choice, as it was believed that their luck, prosperity and fertility would then rub off on you.

Pearls of wisdom

When it comes to borrowing, steer clear of the pearls however. Tradition has it that pearls bring sadness and grief to a couple, and should be avoided as accessories on a wedding day. 

This is clearly due to their tear-drop shape and associations with the sea more than anything else, and increasing numbers of brides today are opting to ignore this fearful superstition and to actively choose these beautiful gemstones to decorate aspects of their wedding attire.

Crying at weddings

Tears haven’t always been viewed as undesirable however. There is a certain superstition that says it is supposedly good luck for the bride to cry on her wedding day.  

A blubbering bride is apparently shedding all her tears in advance of saying ‘I do…’ and in washing away any lingering fears or doubts, she is clearing the way for a happy life with her partner in the future.

Rain, rain…

Another watery superstition hailing from the Hindu tradition states that rain on a wedding day is particularly good luck. Perhaps this feels more relevant in a hotter climate where rain is usually seen as a blessing, but perhaps it could be a handy superstition for couples in the UK to embrace too – just in case! 

Magical happenings

Another superstition that many brides might find a little difficult to embrace is the one that states that a spider found in a wedding dress means good luck.

So if you find one of these creepy crawlies in your trousseau, it might help to remember that they are traditionally associated with wisdom, courage and magical happenings! 

Lucky charm

Good luck also comes in a horseshoe-shape, particularly at Irish weddings. 

Perhaps horseshoes were viewed as lucky because they were made from iron which was believed to ward off unwanted energies, or because of their shape which is reminiscent of the moon, itself a powerful symbol. 

Wherever this superstition comes from, many brides still wear horseshoe-shaped jewellery or include a horseshoe as part of their bridal bouquet.

Wedding bells

Warding off evil spirits was also thought to be possible by the ringing of bells, and so is one reason why churches traditionally rang out a celebratory peel at weddings. 

Bell ringing was also a great way to spread the joyful news, letting people in neighbouring villages know that the couple were now safely and happily wed.