The modernAmerican weddinghas its fair share of silly customs duty . White gown for brides , ball field engagement ring , hymeneals registries , extravagant reception — the lean fit on . However , many of these so - calledtraditionsare in fact comparatively late invention , created or perpetuate by the marriage ceremony industry . But other on the face of it strange wedding behaviors , like matching bridesmaid ’ attire , go much farther back .
The Bizarre History Behind Bridesmaids
It ’s easy to imagine that the uniforms the bride - to - be chooses for her bridesmaids are create in club to make herself more fulgurant by comparability . That may be true for somebrides , but it ’s not where the custom started .
Beginning in ancient romish time ( when the estimation of a nuptial company first arose ) , bridesmaids would not only dress like each other , but also just like the bride , covering the communion table with well-nigh indistinguishable ladies . And that was the point : the bridesmaidswere steerer .
In the early days of the ritual we recognise today as the hymeneals , Saint Brigid had a mickle more than flowered arrangements to vex about . Any beaming tidings had the potential toattract evil spirits , for one thing — and then there were all the would - be grooms the bride had turned off . So to keep the bridal couple safe from demons and angry , decline work force , brides crop their friends in jibe wedding attire . The hypothesis was that the bevy of brides would confuse any malcontents long enough for the well-chosen twosome to get their vows on .
The threat of infernal wedding crashers had petered out by the Victorian era , when Saint Bride began to relax their communications protocol and trim more in an elaborate way than their spousal party . Unfortunately for some modern bridesmaid , the uniform bewilder .
Have you got a Big Question you ’d care us to answer ? If so , let us jazz by emailing us atbigquestions@mentalfloss.com .
Read More About Weddings :
A reading of this chronicle was originally publish in 2016 and has been updated for 2025 .
