5 Common Wedding Traditions for British Couples

Many countries worldwide have their traditions when celebrating weddings. In England, most wedding traditions featured in wedding ceremonies have existed for centuries. Whether you're planning a traditional wedding or modern wedding, you may want to incorporate these traditions with your upcoming special day.

1. The White Wedding Dress

Historically, the bride would have worn her Sunday best on her wedding day. However, it was not until the mid-19th century that Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. 

While Victoria wasn’t the first bride to wear a white dress, it led to many brides across the UK wearing white or ivory dresses. Also, a white wedding dress is a classic choice, as it will never go out of fashion as you look back on photos of that special day.

2. The Bride and Groom Not Seeing Each Other Before the Wedding

The tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other goes back to the days of arranged marriages. 

Back then, marriages were done as a business deal rather than an act of love. The couple would not have been allowed to see each other before the wedding ceremony, in case the bride or groom had second thoughts. 

In modern English wedding ceremonies, seeing the groom or bride the morning of the ceremony is considered bad luck, especially if the bride is seen in her wedding dress by the groom. It also diminishes the excitement of seeing your partner for the first time on the big day as she walks down the aisle towards you.

3. The Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes have been established in all modern English wedding traditions for decades. 

However, the tradition dates back centuries, all the way to medieval times. Originally, the groom attempted to kiss the bride over a pile of sweet bread rolls. Over time, the tradition evolved to the bride receiving a pie under her pillow. 

The custom has evolved to the tiered wedding cake we see today, where the newly married couple cuts a slice of cake together to symbolise the couple’s love and commitment to each other as you feed a slice to each other. This is always a photo worthy moment to remember for the rest of your lives together.

2. Giving Away the Bride

The tradition of giving away the bride goes back to when the bride was owned by their husband or father. 

At the wedding ceremony, the bride would be handed from the father to their husband by paying them a dowry. Nowadays, some couples prefer their parents with them when they walk down the aisle on their special day. This moment has become a beautiful way for the father of the bride to acknowledge their daughter joining a new family and is a mark of his approval of her choice of husband.   

5. Something Old, Something New

 

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe is a rhyme that goes back to the late 19th century. 

The rhyme refers to items that the bride is given by her friends and family to give her good luck and ensure a happy marriage. Every item in the rhyme holds a specific meaning for the bride:

• Something old - Represents the past of the bride and her family.

• Something new -  Refers to the new chapter the bride is about to take with her married husband.

• Something borrowed - The bride borrows an item from a married relative or friend to bring them good luck on her wedding day.

• Something blue - Typically, the bride would wear something blue, like a blue sapphire pendant or earrings to ward off evil spirits. 

• And a sixpence in her shoe - The bride would have a silver sixpence in her shoe, symbolising long-lasting wealth for the newly married couple.

Celebrate Your Special Day with Diamond Heaven’s Wedding Rings

Make your wedding ceremony special with a pair of wedding rings from Diamond Heaven. Our diamond experts are here with you at every step of your wedding ring-buying journey, answering any questions about the wedding rings you want to buy for your big day.

Browse our men’s and women’s wedding ring collection online or book an appointment at your nearest Diamond Heaven showroom today.