Why do brides toss a boquet?

So I've been editing the rest of Tara and Robbie's wedding and I finally came across a missing snapshot of the amazing Terrica and I that my second shooter Katie took of us. Then I cruised over to Terrica's blog to check out what the latest is in her wedding planning world, and I saw this one post on her blog that answered all my dumb questions about wedding day traditions. From tossing the boquet to the creative groom's cakes, I am always capturing traditions that I never really know the story behind. So thank you Terrica, this post was really informative!


You know what all the common wedding traditions are, but do you know where they came from or what they mean?

Groom’s Cake- A deeply-rooted Southern custom. According to superstition, any single woman at a wedding should go home with a slice of groom’s cake and sleep with it under her pillow. That night, she’ll dream of her future husband. Whether or not this holds true, it seems that the groom’s cake is making a comeback, and not just in the South.

Tying the Knot- This comes from the days of the Roman empire when the Bride wore a girdle that was tied in knots. The Groom untied the knots before they, well… you know.

Diamond Engagement Ring- Italians started this tradition, they beleived the diamond was created from the flames of love.

Garter- Brides originally tossed a garter, rather than a bouquet, at a wedding reception. In the 14th century, this custom changed after Brides became tired of fighting off the drunken men who tried to remove the garter themselves!

Ring Finger- Prior to the 5th century, the ring finger was actually the index finger. Later, it was believed that the third finger contained the vena amoris, “vein of love” that led directly to the heart.

Tossing the Bouquet- Guests used to try to rip pieces of the bride’s dress and flowers in order to keep some of her good luck. To escape, the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. Today the bouquet is tossed to single women with the idea that whoever catches it will be the next to marry.

The Best Man- ”Marraige By Capture” this goes back to when men would kidnapp or capture the woman they wanted to make their bride. This obviously was not a one man job, and of course the future groom would only choose the “best man” he knew to come long for such an important task.

The Groom’s Boutonniere- This goes back to medieval times when a knight wore his lady’s “colors,” proudly displayed for all to see.

The only things I need answers to now are:

1. Which leg does the garter go on?
2. Does the wedding band go on after the engagement ring, or before?

Brides always ask me these, and unfortunately I never know the answer to. If you know, please leave a comment and fill me in!