You have begun to plan your wedding and you want your wedding to be special and unique to your and your future spouse. There are traditions and superstitions that have grown around the wedding ceremony, the bride, and what the bride wears in particular. Let's take a look at some of them.

Q. Does the color of the dress really matter?

Most brides wear white to symbolize maidenhood. White also is the symbol of purity and virginity. Cream and Ivory are also acceptable colors and they carry the same symbolism as white.

Q. Are there rhymes about wedding customs?

There are several but let's look at just two of them. There is the well known 1. Something old, something new; Something borrowed, something new, and a six-pence in her shoe.

This rhyme talks about different color wedding dresses and what they mean.

2. Married in white, you've chosen right. Married in blue, your love will always be true. Married in peaRl, you will live in a whirl. Married in brown, you will live in town. Married in red, you'll wish yourself dead. Married in yellow, ashamed of your fellow. Married in green, ashamed to be seen. Married in pink, your spirit will sink. Married in gray, you'll go far away.

Q. What types of dresses are appropriate for different times of the day?

A formal daytime wedding is when the bride wears a white, ivory or pastel colored floor length gown with a train and a long veil.

For a formal evening wedding, the bride would wear the same type of dress as for the daytime formal but with more elaborate train and fabric.

For a semiformal daytime wedding, the bride usually wears a white or pastel colored floor or tea length dress with an elbow length or shorter veil.

For a semiformal evening wedding a more elaborate fabric and trim can be used but the dress and the veil is the same as for the semiformal daytime wedding.

For an informal wedding the bride can wear a white or pastel colored floor or tea length dress. She could also wear a dressy suit. A short veil or a hat is optional.

Q. Why does the garter get thrown by the groom?

It was thought to be good luck to get a piece of the bride's clothing or flowers, you would receive good fortune. In the 14th century Europeans gathered around the bride to try to remove her garter for good luck. In order to get away the bride would throw her bouquet into the crowd. The groom removes her garter and tosses over his shoulder to the crowd. The single man who catches the garter gets the privilege of putting the garter on the single woman who caught the brides bouquet.

Q. Do traditions exist in reference to the bride's shoes?

One tradition said that the father of the bride would give the groom a pair of the bride's shoes to symbolize the passing of the responsibility of the care of the daughter to the groom.

A bride puts a penny in her shoe to ensure that she and her husband will have good luck and wealth.

Q. Why is it bad luck for a bride to wear pearls?

An old superstition from Mexico says that the bride should not wear pearls on her wedding day because they are the tears she will cry during her marriage.

Q. What is the Dorothy Bag?

The Dorothy Bag was originally called the Dolly Bag and was carried by the bridesmaids. They were full of confetti to throw at the bride and groom after the ceremony. In more modern times however the bride carried the Dorothy Bag as a small purse with some personal effects. Most brides now carry the bag with a bridal handkerchief a penny or quarter and it is used to carry cards and money in, so they can use it on their honeymoon.

Q. Why is it that the groom should not see the bride in her outfit before the ceremony?

The groom should not see his bride before the wedding because it is believed to mean that the marriage is doomed. Years ago, marriages were arranged and the couple didn't set eyes on one another till after the wedding ceremony. It was after the ceremony that the veil was lifted and the groom and bride were able to kiss which is the symbol of a beginning of a physical relationship. The reasoning was that if the groom saw his bride before the wedding and didn't like her looks he might cancel the wedding. This had the potential of dividing two countries or regions because marriages were often between tribes or countries.

Q. Why do some brides leave the last stitch undone until just before she is ready to leave for the wedding?

This stems from the superstition that it is unlucky for a bride to wear her complete outfit before the big day. Some brides leave the last stitch undone to ensure good fortune.

Q. Do I have to adhere to any of these traditions or superstitions?

No of course you don't have to use them you can make your wedding your own. It might be interesting though to look at your cultural history and see what superstitions or traditions might be unique to your heritage. The Celtics have many superstitions and traditions surrounding weddings and brides in particular. The world's religions often have their own traditions, rites, or superstitions. If you and your future spouse have a different heritage it might be fun to see if you can use some from each of your cultures. This would make your wedding unique and probably fun