BUTTONHOLES.....
 
  

Traditionally men wear their buttonholes on the left lapel pointing upwards, whilst women wear theirs on the right lapel. This custom originates from the early days of jousting, where a Knight would wear his Lady's colours to represent his love for her. Therefore the modern groom will take a flower from his brides bouquet.

STAG PARTIES....

   

The first group of virile males to hold stag parties were Ancient Spartan soldiers. The groom would feast and drink with his male friends on the night before his wedding. In this event he would bid farewell to the carefree days of bachelorhood but would still swear allegiance to his comrades.

BRIDE ON THE LEFT, GROOM ON THE RIGHT....

   

In the days of forced marriages, the groom used to kidnap his bride and hold her on his left arm therefore leaving his sword arm free to fight off any unwanted suitors, this is why the groom normally stands on the right of the bride during the wedding ceremony. If the groom needed help to kidnap his bride he would ask his best friend to be his 'Best Man'.  

WHITE WEDDINGS....
   
Queen Victoria wore white for her wedding starting a fashion which persists through to today, although materials in those days tended to be more ivory rather than a stark white. Bridesmaids were also dressed as beautifully as the Bride to confuse any evil spirits who may have been waiting to snatch the Bride.

TIE THE KNOT....

 

This expression originates from Roman times when the Brides wore girdles which were tied in many knots, the groom then had the fun of untying!! The phrase also applies to the tying of the knot in Handfasting Ceremonies which were often performed without the benefit of minister or clergy.