• Best Man - Marriages were historically accomplished by capture (the groom would kidnap the woman), a warrior friend was often employed. This Best Man would help the groom fight off other men who wanted the captured woman, and would also help in preventing the woman’s family from finding the couple.

• Bridal Party - In Anglo-Saxon days when the groom was about to abduct his bride, he needed the help of many friends, the "groomsmen" or "groomsknights." The "gentlemen" would make sure the bride got to the ceremony on time and to the groom's house afterwards. The bride also had women to help her. These were known as the "bridesmaids" or "brideswomen."

• Bridal Showers - The Bridal Shower originated with the intent to strengthen friendships between the bride and her friends. In this gathering, the bride's friends would give her moral support and help her prepare for her marriage. At one shower, the bride's friends placed small gifts inside a parasol and opened it over the bride's head so that the presents would "shower" over her. When word of this hit the fashion pages, people were so taken with the idea that they decided to do the same at their showers.

• Bride on the left, Groom on the right - When the groom fought off warriors who also wanted his bride, he would hold onto her with his left hand, while fighting them off with his sword in his right hand, which is why the bride stands on the left, and the groom on the right.

• Diamond Engagement Rings - These lavish gifts were given by medieval Italians in the belief that the diamond was created in the Flames of Love.

• Flowers -   Historically, flowers & herbs have played a significant role in the attraction of "good" and/or the warding off of "evil". Greeks used ivy for the sign of lasting love. Today, pretty wedding flowers convey a message of fertility and enduring love and romance.

• Garter Toss/Bouquet Toss - In the 14th century, it was customary for the bride to toss her garter to the men, but sometimes the men got too drunk, and would become impatient and try to take the garter off her ahead of time. It got to be less trouble for her to toss her bridal bouquet instead.

• Honeymoon - Following the abduction, the groom would put himself and his bride into hiding - the Honeymoon - so that by the time the bride's family found them, the bride would already be pregnant.

• Magic Hanky - This charming custom involves having the bride carry a special hanky that with a few stitches can be turned into a christening bonnet for the first baby. With a couple of snips it can be turned back into a hanky that your child can carry on his/her wedding day.

• Rose Petals - in the bride's path lead her to a sweet and plentiful future.

• Sharing Bread, Salt and Wine - The sharing of the bread, salt and wine is an old Polish tradition. At the wedding reception, the parents of the bride and groom, greet the newly married couple with bread, which is lightly sprinkled with salt and a goblet of wine. With the bread, the parents are hoping that their children will never hunger or be in need. With the salt, they are reminding the couple that their life may be difficult at times, and they must learn to cope with life's struggles. With the wine, they are hoping that the couple will never thirst and wish that they have a life of good health, and good cheer and share the company of many good friends.

• Shoes on the Bumper - Tying shoes to the bumper of the car represents the symbolism and power of shoes in ancient times. Egyptians would exchange sandals when they exchanged goods, so when the father of the bride gave his daughter to the groom, he would also give the bride's sandals to show that she now belonged to the groom. In Anglo-Saxon times, the groom would tap the heel of the bride's shoe to show his authority over her. In later times, people would throw shoes at the couple.

• Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue -  To insure a happy and lasting marriage, a bride should carry something old from someone who has been married for a long time and something new, to carry into her new life. Something borrowed, "borrowed happiness", something blue, "the color blue has been associated with purity and modesty". A penny in your shoe, place a penny in your shoe to bring good fortune and protection against want.

• Stag Parties - Ancient Spartan soldiers were the first to hold stag parties. The groom would feast with his male friends on the night before his wedding. In this event he would say good-bye to the carefree days of bachelorhood and swear continued allegiance to his comrades.

• Tie the Knot - This wonderful expression originated from Roman times when the bride wore a girdle that was tied in knots which the groom had the fun of untying. This phrase can also refer to the tying of the knot in Handfasting Ceremonies, which were often performed without the benefit of a clergy.

• Toss the Bouquet - The custom of tossing the bouquet is the modern day alternative to the old tradition of the "tearing of the wedding dress". In days gone by, single ladies would tear a piece of the brides dress for good luck. One can only imagine the fate of the brides gown at a large gathering! Thus the tossing of the bouquet is the modern alternative that allows the bride's gown to remain intact. It should not be forgotten that the lady who catches the bouquet is the next woman to be married.

• Toss the Garter - In the old days, guest would follow the newlyweds to their room and wait for them to undress then take their stockings and toss them at the bride & groom. The first male to hit the bride or groom with their stocking would be lucky and the next to marry. Thus the garter toss. The gentleman who catches the garter would be next to wed.

• Veil - Along with these kidnappings and bartering, there were also arranged marriages. In these, the groom's family informed him that he was to marry…but they very rarely let him see the bride. After all, if the groom didn't like the bride's looks, he might not agree to the marriage. With this in mind, the father of the bride gave the bride away to the groom who then lifted the veil to see his wife of all eternity for the first time. Another belief is that a veil would protect the bride from evil spirits.

• Wedding - Quite often the bride was exchanged for land, political alliance, social status and/or currency. Indeed, the Anglo-Saxon word "wedd" meant the groom would vow to marry the woman - and that the bartered goods and/or currency would go directly to the bride's father. In short, a wedding seemed little more than the purchase of a bride for breeding purposes.

• Wedding Bands - As far back as literature documents weddings, the wedding ring has been in evidence. Some believe the wedding ring was the first element of wedding traditions. The circular shape of the wedding ring symbolizes never-ending love. As far back as the ancient Romans, there was a belief that the vein in the third finger ran directly to the heart, so the wearing of rings on that finger joined the couple's hearts and destinies.

• Wedding Cake - Like most any other ritual handed down from the ages, a wedding wouldn't be complete without fertility symbols, like the wedding cake. Ancient Romans would bake a cake made of wheat or barley and break it over the bride's head as a symbol of her fertility. Over time, it became traditional to stack several cakes atop one another, as tall as possible. The bride and groom would then be charged to kiss over this tower without knocking it over. If they were successful, a lifetime of good fortune was certain for the new couple. Finally, during the reign of King Charles II of England, it became customary for cake to be a palatable palace iced with sugar.

• Wedding Favors - The bride and groom are considered to be lucky, as is anything they touch. Wedding favors are a way for the bride and groom to thank their guests for sharing in their happiness and to symbolically pass on their "good luck".

• White Runner - The white runner, signifies a pure pathway into happiness.

• White Wedding Dress - Anne of Brittany made the white wedding dress popular in 1499. Before that, a woman Just wore her best dress. It should be noted that a white wedding dress is in no way indicative of The "purity" of the bride-to-be. Indeed, white is not accorded as a symbol of chastity, but of joy.