- First year: Paper wedding
- Second year: Cotton wedding
- Third year: Leather wedding
- Fourth year: Wooden wedding
- Fifth year: Wool wedding
- Tenth year: Tin wedding
- Twelfth year: Silk or line wedding
- Fifteenth year: Crystal wedding
- Twentieth year: Porcelain wedding
- Twenty fifth year: Silver wedding
- Thirtieth year: Pearl wedding
- Fortieth year: Ruby wedding
- Fiftieth year: Golden wedding
- Seventy fifth year: Diamond wedding
Traditions and symbols
Throwing the bouquet or league:The female guest or male guest who gets the bouquet or the league, respectively are the next ones in getting married. This custom started in the 19th century in France, where they considered that the bride’s league brought good luck. Afterwards, the bouquet was added to the tradition.
Throwing rice:In wedding, rice is thorn over the bride and groom so they can have many children. This tradition started in Asia where this grain is considered a symbol of fertility. Nowadays it’s also used to throw petals or sunflower seeds since the birds get chocked with rice.
Wedding cake: This custom started in Ancient Rome. After the ceremony, a piece of cake was broken over the bride’s head as a symbol of fertility and long life. The falling crumbs are picked up and eaten by the guests. The Middle Ages, in England, the customs consisted on the guests bringing small cakes meant to be kissed by the bride and groom. For, these wedding cakes have many layers and floors.
Taking the bride to the altar :When a father takes his daughter to the altar is symbolizing the parents blessing to marriage. In the past, daughters were considered property of their fathers, thus it belonged to the father to give her to her husband.
Wearing something borrowed, something old and something new :Wearing something old is a symbol of the bride’s connection with the past. A new detail is a reflex of her new life to come, and something borrowed means friendship.
Flowers: Represent the bride and groom’s purity.
The rings: From Ancient Rome, the golden ring represents union, everlasting love and fidelity. The exchange ceremony is symbol of confidence. The wedding rings are put on the annular finger. They sued to believe that this finger’s vein reached right to the heart.
The bride’s veil: Represents the bride’s virginity and innocence.
