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Among the Germanic Goths of northern Europe in 200 A.D. a man usually
married a woman from within his own community. However, when there were
fewer women, the prospective bridegroom would capture his bride from a
neighboring village. The bridegroom was accompanied by his strongest friend
(or best friend), who helped him capture his bride.

This term has many origins from different cultures. In Anglo-Saxon times, the
groom had the help of "bridesmen" or "brideknights" to help him capture and/or
escort his bride. Later they would make sure that the bride got to the church
and to the groom's home afterwards. The women who accompanied and
assisted the bride were called "bridesmaids" or "brideswomen."

Bridal showers were meant to strengthen the ties between the bride and her
friends, provide her moral support, and help her prepare for her marriage.
Gift giving at showers dates from the 1890's.

Seeing an open grave, pig or lizard on the way to the ceremony, or hearing a
crow after dawn on the morning of the wedding are all thought to be omens of
bad luck. Catching a glimpse of a monk or a nun is also thought to be an omen
of misfortune because of their association with poverty and chastity.

The tradition of bridesmaids dressing the same as each other and in similar
style to the bride comes from ancient days when it was believed that evil spirits
have a more difficult time distinguishing which one is the bride and putting a
hex on her.

In parts of Europe during the 14th century, having a piece of the bride's
clothing was thought to bring good luck. Guests would literally destroy the
brides dress by ripping off pieces of fabric. In order to prevent this, brides
began throwing various items to the guests - the garter belt being one of the
items.
In order to avoid this problem, it became customary in the 14th century for the
bride to toss her garter to the men. Sometimes the men would get drunk,
become impatient, and try to remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the
custom evolved for the groom to remove and toss the garter. With that change
the bride started to toss the bridal bouquet to the unwed girls of marriageable
age. Tradition says that whoever catches the bouquet shall be the next to
marry. She keeps the bouquet to ensure this destiny.

According to an old legend, the month in which you marry may have some
bearing on the fate of the marriage:

Married when the year is new, he'' 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 will 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

Sir Temulji Mariman and his wife Lady Mariman were hitched for a grand total of
86 years, although they did have a distinct advantage over most people. Both
were aged just five when they go married.

In the 1st century B.C. in Rome, the cake was thrown at the bride or broken
over her head as one of the many fertility symbols which then were a part of the
marriage ceremony. Cutting the wedding cake together, still a predominant
ritual at weddings, symbolizes the couple's unity, their shared future, and their
life together as one. The three tiered cake is believed to have been inspired by
the spire of Saint Bride's Church in London, England.

Traditionally, the bride had to enter her new home the first time through the
front door. If she tripped or stumbled while entering it was considered to be
very bad luck. Hence the tradition of the groom carrying the bride over the
threshold.