Wedding Traditions Explained

Ever wish you knew the story behind wedding traditions? Weddings are full of meaningful moments—but have you ever wondered where some of those traditions actually come from? As someone who has photographed over 300 weddings in the last 16+ years, I’ve seen a wide range of ceremonies, customs, and personal touches. Some couples stick with the classics, others create entirely new rituals, and many blend tradition with modern meaning.

Let’s take a closer look at the origins of some of the most popular wedding traditions and why they continue to show up (and evolve!) in weddings today.

1. The White Dress

While white is now synonymous with weddings, this tradition is relatively modern. In 1840, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert wearing a white gown, which was considered unusual at the time. Her dress made headlines and inspired brides around the world. Prior to this, brides often wore their best dress—no matter the color.

Today, white represents purity, new beginnings, and simplicity. Of course, many modern brides choose ivory, champagne, blush, or even bold colors that reflect their personality. But Queen Victoria’s influence still reigns supreme.

2. The Wedding Veil

Veils have a long history, going back to ancient Rome, where they were thought to ward off evil spirits. In Greek and Roman times, veils symbolized modesty and protection. In religious traditions, veils also represented reverence and submission.

Today, veils are often a romantic accessory—a beautiful part of the bridal ensemble that can feel whimsical, classic, or dramatic. Whether it’s cathedral length or a simple birdcage style, the veil adds a sense of ceremony and grace to the moment the bride walks down the aisle.

3. Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

In ancient Rome, bridesmaids wore matching outfits to the bride to confuse evil spirits or jealous suitors. Their job was to protect the bride and serve as her “decoys.” Similarly, groomsmen originally acted as bodyguards to protect the groom (and even help capture the bride in some early cultures!).

Today, your wedding party is made up of your closest friends and family—your support system. They still “stand beside you,” but now in a much more celebratory and meaningful way.

4. The Wedding Ring

The tradition of exchanging rings dates back to Ancient Egypt, where couples wore braided rings made from reeds and hemp on the fourth finger of the left hand, believing it contained the “vena amoris” or vein of love.

While modern science disproves the vein theory, the tradition stuck. Today, wedding rings symbolize eternity, unity, and unending commitment. Whether simple bands or custom-designed, rings are a beautiful representation of a couple’s bond.

5. The First Look vs. Seeing Each Other at the Aisle

The old tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony comes from arranged marriages—when families worried the groom might change his mind if he saw the bride beforehand! It was also considered bad luck.

Today, couples often opt for a “first look” to have a quiet, intimate moment before the ceremony. From a photographer’s perspective, it’s a great opportunity to calm nerves, capture genuine emotion, and create beautiful portraits in soft light. But whether you choose to wait or see each other beforehand, it should be about what feels right for you.

6. Throwing Rice (or Bubbles or Petals)

Throwing rice at newlyweds was an ancient symbol of fertility and prosperity. Over time, many couples have replaced rice with flower petals, lavender, bubbles, or biodegradable confetti to align with environmental values and venue rules.

This send-off moment is still such a joyful tradition—it marks the transition from ceremony to celebration, and always results in fun, candid photos.

7. Cutting the Cake

The tradition of cutting the cake goes back to Ancient Rome, when a loaf of bread was broken over the bride’s head to symbolize fertility. Later, during the Victorian era, multi-tiered cakes became fashionable, and the cutting of the cake became a joint act to represent the couple’s first shared task.

Today, it’s a sweet (sometimes messy!) photo opportunity and a symbol of unity and partnership.

Final Thoughts

While many wedding traditions have roots in history, they’ve evolved to reflect who we are now. The beauty of modern weddings is that you can choose which traditions to keep, reimagine, or leave behind entirely. Your wedding should feel like you—with as much (or as little) tradition as you want.

As a wedding photographer based in Utah and Seattle, I love helping couples capture these moments—whether they’re centuries old or brand new. Want to create your own version of a tradition? I’m here for it.

Let’s tell your story, your way.

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