As you plan your wedding day, it’s essential to remember that many of the customs and traditions you choose to incorporate carry deep symbolic significance. Understanding the meaning behind these rituals can add an extra layer of beauty and significance to your celebration. Let’s delve into the symbolic significance of various wedding customs to help you select those that resonate with you and your partner.
In this article you will find:
- The Wedding Ring
- Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
- The Unity Candle
- Breaking the Glass
- The Handfasting Ceremony
- Jumping the Broom
The Wedding Ring
The exchange of wedding rings is a time-honored tradition that symbolizes eternal love and commitment. The circular shape of the ring represents never-ending love, with no beginning or end. As you exchange rings with your partner, you are symbolizing your endless commitment to each other.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
This traditional rhyme suggests items that a bride should wear on her wedding day for good luck. “Something old” represents continuity with the bride’s family and the past, while “something new” symbolizes hope and the future. “Something borrowed” is typically an item loaned from a happily married friend or family member, transferring some of their good fortune to the new couple. Lastly, “something blue” symbolizes love, purity, and fidelity.
The Unity Candle
The unity candle ceremony is a popular ritual in many weddings. It involves the lighting of two taper candles by the mothers of the bride and groom, symbolizing the merging of two families. The couple then uses these taper candles to light a larger, unity candle together, symbolizing the unity of their families and their new life together as a married couple.
Breaking the Glass
In Jewish weddings, the breaking of a glass at the end of the ceremony is a deeply symbolic tradition. This act symbolizes the fragile nature of life and serves as a reminder of the commitment to stand by each other during both joyous and challenging times.
The Handfasting Ceremony
The handfasting ceremony is a Celtic tradition where the couple’s hands are tied together with ribbons or cords to symbolize their unity. This ritual represents the couple’s binding commitment to each other and the intertwining of their lives.
Jumping the Broom
Jumping the broom is a tradition with roots in African and African-American wedding ceremonies. It symbolizes sweeping away the old and welcoming the new, as the couple jumps over a broom together. This act signifies their new beginning and the creation of a new family unit.
By incorporating these symbolic customs into your wedding day, you can add depth and meaning to your celebration. Whether you choose to embrace longstanding traditions or create your own unique rituals, remember that your wedding day is a reflection of your love story and the journey you are embarking on together.