Special Sub-Topic: Wedding Traditions and Superstitions Click Here To Play: Wedding Traditions and Superstitions

What is the name of 'the vein of love' that traverses from the third finger on the left hand to the heart called?

vena amoris. Ancient Greeks started the tradition of putting the wedding ring on that finger.

Is it lucky if it rains on your wedding day?

yes & no. If it rains on your wedding day, it is considered good luck because a wet knot is more difficult to untie. If this question tricked you I apologize. There are a multitude of meanings for this for rain on a wedding day from "you will have many children", "rain represents the tears that will be shed during the course of the marriage", "the rain are tears from the bride & groom's ex's when they learned of the wedding". So the answer is now both yes and no.

In 860 A.D. Pope Nicholas started the tradition of having the groom-to-be provide the bride-to-be with an engagement ring made of what?

gold. If the groom incurred a financial hardship, such as paying for an expensive engagement ring, he was more likely to fulfil the wedding agreement.

Who started the tradition of putting diamonds on wedding bands?

Venetians. In the 15th century Venetians started using diamonds in the wedding rings because diamonds are the hardest and most enduring substance. It symbolizes the engagement and wedding lasting forever.

What do violets signify?

faithfulness. During the Victorian era, flowers and bouquets were sent to lovers as notes. Each flower signified a special thought or emotion. A violet signifies faithfulness; a tuberose signifies dangerous pleasure; a freesia innocence and so forth.

Why does the bride stand to the left of the groom?

To free his right hand, enabling him to protect the bride. The origin of the bride standing on the left goes back to the days when the groom would capture his bride by kidnapping her. If the groom had to fight off other suitors, the groom would hold his bride-to-be with his left hand allowing his right hand to be free to use his sword.

The bridal shower became a tradition when which member of the bridal party disapproved of the wedding?

Father of the bride. If the father of the bride disapproved of the wedding and withheld the bridal dowry the gifts received at a bridal shower often were very substantial, equal to that of the dowry the bride would have brought to the marriage.

Does the arch of swords that a bride and groom run under rid them of evil spirits?

no. The arch of swords indicated safe passage into a new life together.

Was it always the tradition for the bride to wear white and the bridesmaids to wear other colours?

no. Brides and bridesmaids used to dress identically to confuse evil spirits.

In the phrase "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue," what does something blue represent?

purity & fidelity. In Biblical times blue symbolized purity and fidelity, not white. Therefore, it was appropriate to have something blue to represent this. "Something old' was an item from the brides family, such as jewelry, that she took wore her to remember her family ties. "Something borrowed" generally came from another happy bride to infuse the wedding with good luck. "Something new" is symbolic of the successful life the new couple will have together.

Is it lucky to marry a man with a surname that starts with the same letter as yours?

no. It was thought unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose surname began with the same letter as hers. The sentiment was summarised in the following rhyme: To change the name and not the letter, Is to change for the worst and not the better The bride should not practice writing her new name before the wedding. This is thought to bring bad luck by tempting fate.

Is it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?

no. Often marriages were arranged without either party having seen one another. Prior to the wedding the groom would glimpse the bride and if he wasn't happy with her appearance he chose not to go through with the wedding. Engineering the idea that it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding prevented any parties involved from disappearing.

Was it always necessary to end the wedding ceremony by kissing the bride?

yes. Romans felt a kiss made the wedding legally binding so it was required. No kiss, no wedding.

In England it is considered very lucky for a bride to encounter what person?

Chimney Sweep. A kiss from a chimney sweep was highly desired as it signified good luck for the bride.

In Italy what article of clothing would the groom cut up and sell at the reception to raise money for the honeymoon?

Tie & necktie. At least it was only a tie and not say the wedding gown!

What would a person at the wedding reception have to do in Poland in order to dance with the bride?

Pay for the dance. In Poland this is how money was raised for the honeymoon.

In Japan what animal is part of the wedding procession?

duck/goose. Ducks and geese mate for life which is considered a sign of fertility.

In Holland and Switzerland what is planted in front of the couple's new home?

Pine Tree. A pine tree is considered a symbol of fertility and luck.

What is considered to be the best day for weddings?

Wednesday. Sunday was usually the day for weddings until the 17th century when the Puritans felt that celebrating should not occur on the Sabbath. There is a rhyme to help decide on what day of the week to marry: "Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday best of all. Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses and Saturday for no luck at all."

Historically the wedding party would walk to the church that the wedding would be conducted as it provided the best chance to encounter good omens. One of the following choices was considered an ill omen. Which one is it?

Monks or Nuns. Toads, black cats or rainbows were considered good luck. Seeing an open grave, a pig, a lizard, or hearing a cockerel crow after dawn are all thought to be omens of bad luck. Monks and nuns are also a bad omen. This may be because they are associated with poverty and chastity and being barren. They are also thought to signal a dependence on charity.

The old way in Great Britain for couples to pledge their betrothal was for them to join hands, his right to her right, his left to her left, so from above they look like an infinity symbol. Done in front of witnesses, this made them officially "married" for a certain length of time. How long?

1 year and 1 day. Handfasting was used extensively in the rural areas where priests and ministers didn't go all that often. After the year and a day the couple could renew permanently or for another year and a day.

In Medieval times a man would propose to a woman by placing hawthorn at her doorstep. If the hawthorn remained at her doorstep the answer was yes. If the hawthorn was replaced with this vegetable the answer was no.

Cauliflower. It was cauliflower. I could find no answer as to why it was cauliflower. If anyone knows please pass it along.

What is the worst month to be married in?

May. "Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true. When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate. If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know. Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man. Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day. Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go. Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred. Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine. If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry. If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember. When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last."

As the bride is leaving for the ceremony it is considered lucky to look into the mirror how many times?

1. When the bride is ready to leave the house for the wedding ceremony a last look in the mirror will bring her good luck. However returning to the mirror once she has began her journey will result in bad luck.

It is said that the first person to make a purchase after the ceremony will be what in the new relationship?

Dominant. Many brides ensure that they make the first purchase by arranging to buy a small item such as a pin from the chief bridesmaid immediately after the ceremony. Thanks for playing my game. I'd ask for you to wish me luck but it is considered bad luck, so best wishes!