50 Fun Facts About Weddings

What color is a traditional Western wedding dress?

White wedding dresses became the Western tradition after Queen Victoria wore one at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Before that, brides simply wore their best dress in any color.

According to tradition, a bride should carry "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something..." what?

The full rhyme is "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe." It comes from an Old English rhyme dating back to the Victorian era.

What does a groom traditionally carry his bride over after the wedding?

Carrying the bride over the threshold of their new home is a tradition with roots in ancient Rome. It was believed to protect the bride from evil spirits lurking in the doorway.

What item does the bride traditionally toss to unmarried women at a wedding reception?

The bouquet toss is a popular wedding tradition where the bride throws her flower bouquet over her shoulder to a group of unmarried women. Whoever catches it is said to be the next to marry.

Which finger is the wedding ring traditionally worn on in Western cultures?

The tradition of wearing the wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand dates back to ancient Rome. Romans believed a vein called the "vena amoris" (vein of love) ran directly from that finger to the heart.

In which 2002 comedy film does Toula Portokalos marry a non-Greek man, much to her family's dismay?

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002), written by and starring Nia Vardalos, became one of the highest-grossing independent films of all time, earning over $368 million worldwide on a $5 million budget.

What is the person who officiates a wedding ceremony typically called?

The officiant is the person legally authorized to perform a marriage ceremony. They can be a religious leader (priest, rabbi, imam), a judge, a justice of the peace, or in many jurisdictions, an ordained friend.

What classic wedding song starts with "Here comes the bride, all dressed in white"?

The Bridal Chorus, commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride," is from Richard Wagner's 1850 opera Lohengrin. It is traditionally played as the bride walks down the aisle.

What is the traditional top tier of a wedding cake sometimes saved for?

Traditionally, the top tier of the wedding cake is frozen and saved for the couple to eat on their first wedding anniversary. This custom originated in 19th-century England when multi-tiered cakes became fashionable.

What does a "best man" traditionally hold onto during the wedding ceremony?

The best man is traditionally responsible for holding the wedding rings until they are needed during the exchange of vows. This role dates back to the idea of having a trusted companion guard the most important symbols of the marriage.

What is the term for a party held for the bride before her wedding, where guests bring gifts?

A bridal shower is a gift-giving party held for the bride-to-be, typically organized by the maid of honor or bridesmaids. The tradition originated in the 1890s and involves "showering" the bride with gifts for her new home.

Which British monarch popularized the white wedding dress in 1840?

Queen Victoria wore a white lace gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Before this, brides of all social classes simply wore their best dress. Victoria's choice was widely publicized and started the white dress trend that persists today.

What Adam Sandler comedy film features a wedding singer who falls for a waitress engaged to the wrong man?

The Wedding Singer (1998) stars Adam Sandler as Robbie Hart and Drew Barrymore as Julia Sullivan. Set in 1985, it was a box office hit and spawned a Broadway musical adaptation in 2006.

What is the traditional material for a 25th wedding anniversary gift?

The 25th wedding anniversary is known as the Silver Anniversary, while the 50th is the Golden Anniversary. This tradition of associating materials with anniversary milestones dates back to the Holy Roman Empire in the medieval era.

In a traditional Jewish wedding, what does the groom break at the end of the ceremony?

Breaking the glass is one of the most recognizable elements of a Jewish wedding. The groom (or both partners) steps on a glass wrapped in cloth. It symbolizes the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the fragility of human relationships.

What 2011 comedy film starring Kristen Wiig follows the chaotic lead-up to a best friend's wedding?

Bridesmaids (2011) was a critical and commercial hit, grossing over $288 million worldwide. It earned Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

What do wedding guests traditionally throw at the newlyweds as they leave the ceremony?

Throwing rice at newlyweds is a tradition symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and good fortune. Many modern venues have replaced rice with birdseed, bubbles, or flower petals due to concerns about birds (though the harm to birds is actually a myth).

What term describes the trip a newly married couple takes after their wedding?

The word "honeymoon" likely derives from the Old English tradition of drinking mead (a honey-based drink) for a full moon cycle (about one month) after the wedding to promote fertility and happiness.

What phrase does the officiant say before the couple is allowed to kiss?

"You may now kiss the bride" (or "You may now kiss") is the traditional phrase spoken by the officiant to signal the end of the ceremony. In medieval times, the kiss was considered a legal bond that sealed the marriage contract.

What is the name for the pre-wedding event where the ceremony is practiced the night before?

The rehearsal dinner typically takes place the evening before the wedding, after the wedding party has practiced (rehearsed) walking through the ceremony. It is traditionally hosted and paid for by the groom's family.

In a traditional Hindu wedding, what do the bride and groom walk around seven times?

The Saptapadi, or seven steps around the sacred fire (Agni), is the most important ritual in a Hindu wedding. Each circuit represents a vow: nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, offspring, long life, and friendship.

Which princess wore a wedding dress with a 25-foot train when she married Prince Charles in 1981?

Princess Diana's iconic wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, featured a 25-foot train — the longest in British royal history. An estimated 750 million people worldwide watched the ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral.

What is the traditional wedding anniversary gift for the 50th year of marriage?

The 50th anniversary is called the Golden Anniversary. The tradition of marking milestone anniversaries with precious materials dates back centuries, with gold symbolizing the enduring value and strength of a half-century marriage.

In which country is it traditional for a bride to wear a red wedding dress?

In Chinese culture, red symbolizes luck, prosperity, and happiness, making it the traditional color for wedding attire. Many Chinese brides wear red for at least part of their wedding celebrations, though Western white dresses have also become popular.

What De Beers advertising slogan, launched in 1947, permanently linked diamonds to engagement rings?

"A Diamond Is Forever" was created by copywriter Frances Gerety for De Beers in 1947. Advertising Age named it the #1 advertising slogan of the 20th century. Before this campaign, diamond engagement rings were relatively uncommon.

What is the name for the canopy under which a Jewish wedding ceremony takes place?

The chuppah (also spelled huppah) is a canopy supported by four poles under which the Jewish wedding ceremony is performed. It symbolizes the new home the couple will build together and God's presence over the union.

In the 1991 Steve Martin comedy, what is the title character's relationship to the bride?

In Father of the Bride (1991), Steve Martin plays George Banks, the overprotective and overwhelmed father whose daughter Annie (Kimberly Williams) announces her engagement. It was a remake of the 1950 Spencer Tracy film of the same name.

What traditional role does the "maid of honor" play at a wedding?

The maid of honor (or matron of honor, if married) is the bride's principal attendant. She helps plan the bridal shower and bachelorette party, holds the bride's bouquet during the ceremony, and signs the marriage certificate as a witness.

What does "RSVP" on a wedding invitation stand for?

RSVP stands for the French phrase "Répondez s'il vous plaît," which translates to "Please respond." It has been used on invitations since the 18th century and is essential for wedding planning to determine headcounts.

At which London cathedral did Prince William and Catherine Middleton marry in 2011?

Prince William and Catherine Middleton were married on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey. An estimated 2 billion people worldwide watched the ceremony. Kate's dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, became instantly iconic.

What is the superstition about the groom seeing the bride before the wedding ceremony?

The superstition that the groom should not see the bride before the ceremony originated from the era of arranged marriages, when families feared the groom might cancel the wedding if he saw the bride and was not attracted to her.

At which castle did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marry in 2018?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married on May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The ceremony was watched by an estimated 1.9 billion viewers worldwide and featured a sermon by American Bishop Michael Curry.

What traditional African American wedding custom involves the couple jumping over an object?

Jumping the broom is a wedding tradition with roots in enslaved African American communities, where legal marriages were often prohibited. The broom symbolized sweeping away the old and welcoming the new. It has been revived as a cultural celebration of heritage.

What is the Italian tradition of giving guests sugar-coated almonds at a wedding called?

Jordan almonds, known as "confetti" in Italian, are given in odd numbers (usually five) to represent health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. The bittersweet taste of the almond with the sweet coating symbolizes the mixture of life's experiences.

What does the groom traditionally remove from the bride and toss to the groomsmen?

The garter toss is a tradition where the groom removes a garter from the bride's leg and throws it to a group of unmarried men. It originated in medieval Europe when guests would try to tear pieces from the bride's dress for good luck — the garter was offered as a less destructive alternative.

In which 1997 Julia Roberts film does a food critic try to sabotage her best friend's wedding?

In My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), Julia Roberts plays Julianne Potter, who realizes she's in love with her best friend (Dermot Mulroney) just as he announces his engagement. Cameron Diaz co-starred as the bride-to-be, Kimmy.

What Korean wedding tradition involves the groom carrying his bride's mother around on his back?

Pyebaek is a traditional Korean post-ceremony ritual where the bride and groom pay respect to the groom's family. Part of the ceremony involves the groom giving his mother-in-law a piggyback ride, symbolizing that he will care for his bride's family.

Which pop song by Etta James is one of the most popular first dance songs at weddings?

"At Last" by Etta James, released in 1960, has become arguably the most iconic wedding first-dance song. The song was originally recorded by Glenn Miller in 1941, but Etta James's soulful rendition became the definitive version.

What is "eloping" in the context of weddings?

Eloping means running away secretly to get married, typically without the knowledge or approval of family and friends. The word comes from the Anglo-French "aloper," meaning to run away. Today, many couples elope by choice for intimacy or to avoid wedding stress.

In what decade did the tradition of having bachelor parties become widespread in the United States?

While bachelor dinners (stag parties) existed earlier, the modern bachelor party as a raucous celebration became widespread in 1950s America. The concept was popularized by returning WWII soldiers and the post-war culture of male bonding events.

What ancient Roman wedding tradition is the origin of the word "wedding" itself?

The word "wedding" comes from the Old English "weddian," meaning to pledge. In Anglo-Saxon times, the groom would offer a "wed" — a pledge of money or property — to the bride's family as a guarantee of good faith before the marriage.

In which century did the tradition of bridesmaids wearing matching dresses begin?

While bridesmaids have existed since ancient times, the tradition of wearing identical dresses dates to the Victorian era (19th century). Originally, bridesmaids dressed identically to the bride to confuse evil spirits or thwarted suitors who might try to harm her.

What is "mehndi" in the context of Indian weddings?

Mehndi (henna) is a pre-wedding ceremony in Indian culture where intricate designs are applied to the bride's hands and feet using henna paste. The darkness of the henna is said to predict the strength of the marriage. The groom's name is often hidden in the design.

Which Las Vegas chapel, opened in 1942, is famous for its celebrity weddings and drive-through ceremonies?

A Little White Chapel in Las Vegas has hosted weddings for celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Michael Jordan, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, and Britney Spears. It is also famous for its drive-through "Tunnel of Love" window.

What is the significance of "handfasting" in Celtic wedding traditions?

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ceremony where the couple's hands are bound together with cords or ribbons, symbolizing their union. This is the origin of the phrase "tying the knot." It was a legally binding betrothal in Scotland until 1939.

Which celebrity couple's 2014 Italian wedding was reportedly attended by only 200 guests despite being one of the most publicized weddings of the decade?

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West married on May 24, 2014, at Fort di Belvedere in Florence, Italy. Their pre-wedding celebrations included a trip to Versailles. The event was one of the most media-covered weddings of the decade.

What ancient tradition explains why the bride stands to the left of the groom at a Western wedding?

In medieval times, the groom needed his right hand (sword hand) free to defend the bride against rival suitors who might try to kidnap her. This practical military consideration became codified into wedding etiquette that persists today.

In traditional Igbo (Nigerian) weddings, what does the bride do with a cup of palm wine to select her groom?

In the Igbo wine-carrying ceremony (Igba Nkwu), the bride is given a cup of palm wine and must search through the crowd to find her groom and hand him the cup to drink. This public act confirms her choice of husband and is the climax of the traditional ceremony.

What is a "ketubah" in a Jewish wedding?

The ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract, traditionally written in Aramaic, that outlines the groom's responsibilities to the bride including food, clothing, and marital relations. It dates back over 2,000 years and is signed before the ceremony.

Which Queen consort of King Henry VIII was executed partly on fabricated charges of adultery just three years after her extravagant wedding?

Anne Boleyn married Henry VIII in a secret ceremony in January 1533 after he broke with the Catholic Church to annul his first marriage. She was executed at the Tower of London in May 1536 on charges of adultery, incest, and treason, most of which were likely fabricated.