THE WEDDING BOUQUET, GARTER AND VEIL

Before the use of flowers in the bridal bouquet, women carried aromatic bunches of garlic, herbs, and grains to drive evil spirits away as they walked down the aisle. These were replaced with flowers, symbolizing fertility and everlasting love.

Today, the practice of tossing the bouquet is similar to the tradition of throwing the garter (which was began in France). It indicates that the gentleman who catches the garter and the lady who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry.

However, in ancient days, wedding guests believed it would bring good luck if they left the wedding celebration with a piece of bride's attire. Sometimes, the tradition became uncontrollable, as wedding guests would rip at the bride's gown. Grooms soon began tossing the garter to protect their brides from the chaos, still offering a piece of luck to male wedding guests. Brides soon began throwing their bouquets as gifts of luck for female wedding guests.



At the wedding ceremony, a bride wore the veil as a symbol of submissiveness and a promise to obey her new husband. Only after the ceremony was the veil lifted to reveal the bride's appearance to the groom and to kiss her. As the story goes, the use of full veiling practiced after Jacob (of the Biblical Old Testament) was tricked into marrying Leah instead of his beloved Rachel. Leah was disguised under full veiling. In some Asian and Middle Eastern countries, full veiling is still used to hide the bride's face completely. Not only could the groom not see in, the bride could not see out! Therefore, the father of the bride had to escort her down the aisle and literally give the bride to the groom.


According to folklore, the first lace veil was worn by Nelly Curtis, George Washington's adopted daughter. Originally, the wedding veil symbolized the bride's virginity, purity and modesty. Today, the veil is generally thought of as a romantic accessory to the traditional wedding gown.