From tossing a bouquet to run from greedy single women to a groom needing to have his sword hand free, there are many wedding traditions that stem from interesting cultural exchanges from all over the world. We’ve discussed many here at “Let Them Eat Cake,” a favorite topic of ours to dive in to, so it came as a surprise when we realized there’s one we haven’t yet explored.
Kelly here: I had the TV on in the background while getting some late-night work in one evening when I heard a question asked on the newest episode of “The Weakest Link.” Naturally, when a wedding is brought up, my ears and interested are peaked. The question was “what item is typically thrown at the bride and groom on their wedding day.” Immediately, I said “rice” as the contestant hesitated and said “cake.” Now, we’re all about eating cake here but throwing it? No, thank you. This then got me thinking – why did throwing rice at a couple walking out of their ceremony become tradition? And, so, here we are.
Like many of our traditions, it doesn’t always stem from some big romantic gesture that (in more modern times) has been fantasized around weddings. The truth is, while there were love matches, many weddings were a business deal, or a transaction of some sort (that our romantic hearts hope had love tucked somewhere in there).
It is thought that the rice toss (or some form of the gesture) predates Christianity and is found somewhere with the Celts and the Romans. Though form and item tossed may have been different, the idea was the same. A wedding meant growing familial ties and property, so the toss was a symbol for the community onto the couple – and in some instances to please the gods – to promote prosperity and good luck in a good harvest (or riches in life), fertility and everything in between. The practice involving rice itself is mainly thought to be because rice was cheap and widely available at the time. Some cultures like the Celts and the Romans also threw grain – with the Celts using it as an additional moment to ward off any evil spirits that may have come to the wedding to jinx the happy couple. The grain in Celtic weddings would often then be collected back and donated to a family in need in the community. Some additional cultures – according to an article by Brides – threw other items such as in Morocco they threw dried dates, in Eastern India they tossed flower petals, in Italy it was candies or sugared nuts and the Polish people added to their rice throwing by placing coins at the couple’s feet.
Rice throwing at weddings has taken on different forms in more modern times. Now couples opt for their guests to hold sparklers, blow bubbles, pop confetti or even wave pompoms, to name a few.
One thing we can say about the origins of many traditions is that even though fertility was at the forefront in most cases, a main message behind most things is to ensure a prosperous and fruitful (in whichever way) life for the newly married couple. And that is something we can get behind.
