Live Life Team
The association of “old shoes” with weddings may have begun with the ancient Hebrews, Egyptians and Assyrians. When striking a bargain, in this case a marriage, sandals were traded as a symbol of the change of authority over the daughter from father to husband. The bride’s father would give the groom one of his daughter’s old shoes. Her future husband would then tap her on the head, accepting his new authority and responsibility over her.
Guests in Tudor times would throw old shoes at the newly wed couple. It was supposed to bring good luck and assure fertility in the marriage if they or the carriage they were riding in was hit. This may be where the tradition of tying shoes to the car bumper came from. Another theory for this tradition is that the custom started with bride stealing. The bride’s father would throw his shoes at the thieving groom and his ill gotten bride. Leather was also thought to be helpful in keeping away evil spirits.
Rice was a symbol for fruitfulness for the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians and Hebrews. It is not surprising that this was the confetti of choice at weddings and it was used to bestow good wishes. Pagan rites also showered the couple with grains, also to instil fertility and to ward off evil spirits. In modern weddings, rice is sometimes replaced with confetti, or even bird seed, intended to treat any feathered wedding guests that happen to show up.
