One of the most talked about parts of a wedding is the bride’s attire. They represent the bride’s unique sense of style and character as well as the start of a new chapter in her life. It is considered bad luck, however, for the bride to reveal her wedding gown to anyone before the big day. Many brides nowadays still adhere to this belief, despite its antiquity.

woman wearing white dress holding green and white flower bouquet

In this article, we’ll enquire into where this urban legend came from and if there’s any truth behind it. We’ll also investigate some other common wedding superstitions and try to figure out where they came from. If you’re a bride-to-be interested in learning about folklore and superstitions surrounding the wedding dress, or if the realm of folklore simply fascinates you, then this is for you.

Is It Unlucky To Show People Your Wedding Dress?

Superstition holds that it is bad luck to display one’s wedding gown before the big day. This idea has been around for generations. It is a common belief that a bride who publicly displays her wedding gown before the big day would bring bad luck to herself and her spouse.

Some say this concept stretches back to ancient times when it was thought that evil spirits were drawn to attractive brides, but the exact origins of this idea are unknown. They believed that brides who flaunted their bridal gowns were bringing evil spirits into their lives.

Some have speculated that the idea that the groom should be surprised with the bride’s wedding attire on the big day is at the heart of the superstition. It would be devastating to the wedding’s mystique if the bride’s dress was leaked to the public before the big day.

Many brides still opt to stick to the old wives’ tale that showing off your wedding dress before the big day is bad luck, even though there is no evidence to back up this belief. Perhaps it’s just a fun way to amp up the buzz surrounding the big day.

Ultimately, it’s up to the bride to decide if she wants to reveal the dress before the big day. Those closest to you will understand if you choose to keep the dress a secret, but you may still talk about the big day and all the fun you’re having without showing them the dress. Feeling beautiful and confident in your wedding dress is the most crucial factor.

What Are Some Wedding Superstitious Beliefs?

Many married couples adhere to superstitious rituals and practice at their weddings in the hopes of ensuring a long and happy marriage. The following are some standard wedding superstitions, along with their explanations:

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Many brides adhere to the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” wedding tradition. The custom is meant to usher in a lifetime of happiness and success for the newlyweds.

The tradition of the bride wearing “something old” honours her ties to her family and her past. Something of sentimental worth is often passed down through the generations in the form of jewellery or apparel.

The “something new” symbolises the bride’s eagerness for a bright and exciting future with her groom. Something she has bought specifically for the wedding, such as a dress, shoes, or another item.

The “something borrowed” is traditionally an emotional object that the bride borrows from a friend or relative who is already married. It is believed that the recipient will receive some of the donor’s good fortune and positive energy as a result.

The traditional meaning of “something blue” is that it represents love, purity, and loyalty. The bride can accessorise with blue accessories, have a blue ribbon tied around her bouquet, or even wear blue shoes.

These objects are not believed to have any supernatural powers, but they are good luck charms and a meaningful way to remember loved ones and celebrate their traditions on the holiday.

The Groom Shouldn’t See The Bride Before The Wedding

The Western culture has a widespread belief that the groom must not see the bride before the wedding. It is thought that if the bride and groom meet before the wedding, it will bring bad luck to the union.

This practice may date back to the days of arranged weddings when the bride and groom didn’t spend much time together before the big day. Potentially rude or inappropriate behaviour would have been to see each other before the ceremony.

Many modern couples choose to continue the custom because of the romantic anticipation and closeness it fosters between them. A touching and meaningful part of every ceremony is the first look shared by the bride and groom.

The Bride Should Wear A Veil

The custom of the bride wearing a veil at her wedding stretches back to ancient times. The bride’s veil has traditionally represented her innocence, modesty, and virtue in many cultures.

A bride’s veil may have doubled as a shield against evil spirits or a disguise from dowry-seeking suitors in some civilisations. In some others, the veil served just as a sign of the bride’s affluence or social standing.

Many modern brides still opt to cover their faces with veils on their wedding day, either out of respect for tradition or because they think it makes them look more beautiful. Veils range from short and simple to long and ornate, and everything in between.

The Bride Should Carry A Horseshoe

The notion that a bride should carry a horseshoe on her wedding day goes back centuries. Because of its association with good fortune and safety, many brides have traditionally carried horseshoes down the aisle.

The bride may hold the horseshoe in her hand, attach it to her bouquet, or have it stitched into her garment, depending on the custom. Ribbons, flowers, or other decorations to complement the wedding’s theme or colours are common additions.

Even though horseshoes aren’t utilised by as many brides as they once were, some still opt to include them in their ceremonies. Carrying a horseshoe with the points pointing downwards, however, is said to bring ill luck, thus care must be taken to always keep the horseshoe with the points pointing upwards.

The Bride Should Not Wear Pearls

It’s a widespread wedding day superstition that the bride shouldn’t wear pearls. It is thought that wearing pearls on your wedding day can bring you bad luck or portend a tearful marriage in various cultures.

However, pearls are not universally associated with bad luck; in fact, many cultures regard them as a symbol of innocence and purity, making them a popular option for bridal jewellery.

In the end, it’s up to the bride to decide if she wants to rock pearls on her big day. There are several alternatives to pearls for a bride who is superstitious and does not want to wear them on her wedding day, including diamonds, gold, and various gemstones. There’s no need to let superstition get in the way if she wants to wear pearls on her wedding day because she likes them.

The Couple Should Not Take Their Wedding Photos

It is not a superstition, but rather standard practice in the wedding industry, that the bride and groom are not permitted to take their wedding photographs. The reason for this is that a wedding day only comes around once in a person’s life, therefore it’s crucial to have high-calibre, expertly-taken images to remember it by.

Professional wedding photographers have the training, tools, and artistic eye to capture the wedding in a way that the couple will love and cherish forever. They are well-equipped to deal with any technical or lighting issues that may crop up on the big day.

Conclusion

While many of the customs and beliefs associated with weddings have been around for generations, many of the more outlandish ones have not. Traditions and superstitions, such as the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” rule and the custom of carrying a horseshoe as a symbol of good fortune, can lend depth and emotion to a bride and groom’s wedding day.

Each couple, of course, must make their own choices about which customs to observe and which to forego. The couple should put in the most effort to design a wedding that is a true reflection of who they are as individuals and what they value as a couple.

To know more, go to is it bad luck to show your wedding dress.