The curious origins of some wedding traditions

Spring - a time of love and weddings

During the solemn wedding ceremony made to perform many rituals. Many of them have their roots in ancient times.

1. Probably, the Egyptians were the first who began to exchange wedding rings

In the Middle Ages it was believed that the ring finger of his left hand with the heart connects the living, so wear a steel ring on this finger, to show your love and hardness intentions.

2. wildly popular rings found in the Middle Ages

In 1215, the year Pope Innocent III declared that the waiting period between education and marriage should be longer, and rings have become more popular.

3. Diamonds appeared later

Mary of Burgundy

According to the documents, the first engagement ring with diamonds in 1477, the year presented his bride Mary of Burgundy, Archduke Maximilian of Austria. But it was not too common a tradition prior to 1947, while Gareth Francis, who has never been married and do not come up with "Diamonds Are Forever" to "De Beers".

4. The white wedding dress before were not all

Queen Victoria

At least, until Queen Victoria's wedding. In 1840 she married Albert, Prince Consort was in a white dress.

5. In ancient times, the bride collected bundles of herbs

These were mainly garlic, onion and rosemary - so they ward off evil spirits. Tradition is not left up to the 1800s, but the Queen Victoria, which is the path to the altar was carrying a bouquet of snowdrops, became the founder of the modern tradition - now the bride are holding an armful of garlic is not, and bouquets of fresh flowers.

6. Throwing the bouquet was not always guessing what kind of girl would marry the following

Once upon a time the guests liked to tear off pieces of the bride's dress to get part of her fortune. Bouquet threw into the crowd to distract guests and the bride would be able to leave unharmed.

7. The first bridesmaids as well as the bride herself wore

So all trying to fool the evil spirits that might harm the happy couple. It was not until the Victorian era - then girlfriends began to dress up in something else.

8. Honeymoon - a Nordic tradition of

In Scandinavia, the couple, however, did not leave to travel, but just hiding out of sight, and every day during the lunar month of drinking a cup of honey.

9. The phrase "tie the knot" comes from Ireland

She comes from the old Irish custom called "Handfasting": the bride and groom tied his hands with a rope together to show that their marriage - forever.