Many of the well-known customs and rituals we see during a wedding ceremony have odd origins clouded in history. Although the superstitions which inspired the traditions are often long forgotten, we still observe them centuries later.
For instance, brides have been wearing white gowns for less than 200 years. Up until that time, women simply wore the very best dress that they owned, and the color was not relevant. But at Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840, she opted for a stunning white gown – and weddings changed forever as women followed her lead. The wearing of a veil is actually a far older tradition – brides in ancient civilizations wore veils to ward off evil spirits which were thought to attack her wedding day.
The custom of having a best man stand up with the groom originated in ancient Germanic culture, although it spread quickly through many warring and tribal cultures. The best man was selected based on his strength and prowess in battle. Because these events were prone to attacks from marauders and thieves, the best man was expected to help the groom protect his bride. And so the groom had ready access to his sword, the bride always stood to his left – a stance still observed today.
Traditional or contemporary, there is really no such things as a wedding without flowers. While in past eras the flowers were selected for their symbolism – such as passion, faithfulness or commitment – today we choose flowers based upon style and color palettes. But whatever inspires your floral bouquets, ceremony flowers and venue décor – you can trust the design of the professional florists at Griffin’s Floral & Event Design to make your Columbus wedding the most memorable event of your life.