Facts, superstitions, and some interesting things about weddings

Since a long time ago, weddings have become an important element in society. Today, many couples keep getting married in special ways and in beautiful venues like our Coral Gables banquet hall. These universal celebrations of love and commitment are steeped in traditions that vary widely across cultures and eras. From the classic white dress to unusual practices meant to grant luck and prosperity, here are some interesting historical and cultural facts to know about weddings.

1. The birth of the white dress

Did you know that it was Queen Victoria who started the Western world’s white wedding dress trend? It happened in 1840 when she married Prince Albert. This marked a significant shift in bridal fashion, setting a trend that has persisted until this day. Before this, brides simply wore their best dress, irrespective of its color.

2. Ancient rituals and customs

Ancient traditions offer fascinating insights. Here are some that might amuse you. The Ancient Romans studied pig entrails to determine the luckiest time to marry. But that’s not all! Similar to the Ancient Greeks, they had brides wear veils to protect against evil spirits, which is a practice that persists today. Back in the time some countries like Denmark, made their brides and grooms cross-dress to confuse these spirits. Another interesting fact that you probably didn’t know is that the concept of the wedding cake began in ancient Rome. Guests would break a loaf of bread over the bride’s head to bless the couple with fertility.

3. Superstitions and beliefs

In England, there are many superstitions connected to weddings. For example, it is said that finding a spider in your wedding dress is believed to bring good luck! Also, many believe that the choice of a wedding day is thought to influence the couple’s future. Who knows, maybe when booking that special venue or Coral Gables banquet hall, you’ll consider Wednesday, which was considered the best day to marry. Ironically, despite being regarded as the unluckiest day to marry, Saturday remains the most popular day for weddings.

4. Wedding traditions

Wedding traditions vary widely, but did you know that:

• In the Czech Republic, guests throw peas at the newlyweds instead of rice.
• Swedish brides place a silver coin from their father and a gold coin from their mother in each shoe to ensure they always have enough silver and gold.
• Some brides historically went door-to-door collecting gifts in a pillowcase, accompanied by an older married man symbolizing a long marriage.
• Dutch tradition involves planting a pine tree outside the couple’s home as a symbol of fertility and luck.

Facts and traditions are great for giving a better idea of how the same event can be practiced in many different ways. Each culture and moment in history carries its particular meanings and customs about weddings. Perhaps you have some traditions of your own to enrich your special day with happiness, prosperity, and longevity in marriage. Last but not least, here’s another fact: if you are looking for the perfect Coral Gables banquet hall at Renaissance, we have exactly what you need! Contact us today to book a tour.