Very Superstitious
“I’m not superstitious.. But I am a little stitous.” -Michael Scott (and also Mary Marsh).
Have you ever wondered about where wedding traditions and superstitions stem from? Growing up with a New Jersey Italian mother, wedding culture has been ingrained in my interests since I was a kid. I actually don’t think that there is a single episode of Say Yes to the Dress or Four Weddings that I haven’t seen at least 5 times already. Needless to say, I’ve come across many different cultures and beliefs in the world of weddings.
Being so interested in the ritual of marriage, I couldn’t help but wonder about how so many superstitions came to be, and how they have held up throughout the years.
The first and most common superstition is actually one of 2024’s most popular trends: pearls. In ancient Italian and Filipino cultures, it is believed that pearls are the tears of mermaids and angels, and represent tears caused by an unhappy marriage. Some believe that the number of pearls worn by a bride will equate to the number of unhappy years she will have. In some areas of the world, however, such as Ancient Greece, pearls represent tears of joy. So while the meaning of the pearl jumps from two totally different spectrums, it seems to uphold the properties of harvesting a lot of emotions towards the couple.
The idea of having a pimple on your wedding day seems less than ideal, but did you know that traditionally, having a pimple is a symbol of love? Known as “love pimples”, the placement of this breakout also holds significant meaning. To breakout on the forehead means that someone is thinking of you, while breaking out on the cheeks is believed to represent happiness within a relationship. The scientific reason behind these breakouts are often due to your body releasing more stress hormones, therefore producing more sebum, which could result in problematic skin. Be sure to keep a good skincare regimen and try to stay relaxed leading up to the big day!
Reminder: Breakouts & acne are totally normal and will never take away from the beauty of your wedding day.
Did you know that aside from being close family or friends with the bride, that the role of being a bridesmaid holds an even greater significance? Traditionally, bridesmaids were dressed in the same outfit as the bride, in order to confuse any negative energy being sent by jealous bystanders. Bridesmaids were chosen out of great honor, and were seen as “protectors” of the bride, catching and releasing any evil eyes. Bridesmaids would not only wear the same outfit, but also have their hair, makeup, and accessories identical to the bride!
While you typically won’t see bridesmaids and the bride wearing matching gowns today, the honor of choosing a bridesmaid still holds a great deal of importance & could greatly contribute to the amount of stress you may or may not have leading up to your wedding, so choose wisely! In the United Kingdom, the role of a bridesmaid is actually granted to the younger girls of the family - this is referred to as a “baby bridesmaid.” In Kate Middleton’s wedding, her eldest bridesmaid was just 8 years old, with the youngest being 3! She did, however, have her gorgeous sister Pippa as her Maid of Honor. Superstitions claim that if a girl is a bridesmaid more than 3 times, she has “struck out” of love, and will struggle. Fret not, though, on the 7th time, her luck is said to turn around, with her true love soon appearing soon after!
Alanis Morrisette may have called it ironic, but rain on your wedding day is actually very lucky! This superstition is believed to come from Hindu origins, and claim that rain symbolizes cleansing and fertility; this means that your marriage is off to a beautiful beginning with a clean slate. It is also a symbol of unity when “tying the knot”, as it is much, much more difficult to untie a wet knot.
A Saturday wedding may seem like the most convenient day to host your wedding, however, old folklore would advise you to reconsider! According to an ancient Celtic poem, weekdays are the ideal days for your nuptials, with Saturday’s being the most unlucky day of the week for marriage. It reads: “Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, and Saturday no luck at all."
Almost all religious sectors have their own traditions and superstitions when it comes to marriage. In the Jewish tradition, the breaking of the glass by the groom is an incredibly powerful gesture, with the many broken shards representing the abundance of life the couple will have. Not only is it also an act to commemorate historical sorrow, this tradition is also meant to bring luck and prosperity to the couple. It is also believe that the sound of breaking glass will scare off any evil spirits that may be lurking near the couple, allowing the couple to begin married life as a happy, harmonious duo.
Each superstition offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of cultural beliefs and traditions that have helped shape the ceremony of marriage throughout history. While modern day couples may choose which traditions to honor or leave behind, understanding the origins and meanings behind these customs can bring an extra depth of joy and connection to their special day. Your love story is unique, so I highly encourage each couple to research what each tradition means to them, and embrace what truly resonates.