Traditions meant to bring good luck to a couple on their wedding day go back as far as history allows.  Across the world and throughout time, communities have done some elaborate things in order to guarantee positivity and good fortune. Whether you’re superstitious or not, you still might want to incorporate a few extra rituals into your wedding routine. Take a look at these examples and see how you can increase the odds of good fortune for your relationship. 

Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue

One of the most famous examples of Western wedding luck traditions is when the couple incorporates something old, new, borrowed, and blue, into their wedding outfits. The “something old” is typically a family heirloom of some type that connects the couple with their past. The “something new” is purchased new for the couple and meant to represent an item being given to bestow good luck to the couple. The “something borrowed” is given temporarily to the couple, usually from another couple who is already married, and is meant to carry the positive energy from the other relationship into this union. 

Finally, “something blue” is usually an item that is some shade of blue. The color blue holds historical significance to weddings, with the color being utilized by brides and grooms alike all the way back to the Roman Empire. The color has represented many different concepts throughout history, from purity to amorous feelings to fidelity. 

A Little Fall of Rain

While this is not a tradition, per se, rain on your wedding day is actually a sign of good fortune. It might seem like a headache at first, especially if the storm is particularly rough, but there are plenty of positive aspects to focus on. For one, rain is often viewed as cleansing in many cultures. When the fresh water of the sky touches your skin, it washes away all that your body has accumulated from life. It might mess up your hair and makeup, but it purifies your spirit and renews your senses. 

Should you look at the forecast for your wedding day and see rain on the horizon, it is best to not panic. Instead, lean into the news. Embrace the rain and see if you can take some photos outside, as overcast days tend to make for the most stunning photographs. 

Bury the Bourbon

In the American South, there is a wedding tradition that incorporates a bottle of booze and a bunch of shovels. The concept of “burying the bourbon” is quite literal in its execution. The happy couple will visit the place where they are holding their wedding reception roughly a month before the date. They will bring a bottle of bourbon along and find a place on the property to bury the drink in a shallow hole. 

When the wedding day arrives, the couple and the wedding party will gather together to dig up the bottle. It is passed around, with each person present taking a swig from the bottle as a way of encouraging good fortune for the couple from everyone. 

Hanging Paper Cranes

Origami is an Eastern tradition that has become incredibly popular in Western cultures over the last century or so. According to Japanese folklore, paper cranes represent good luck and fortune for couples who are about to wed. To infuse this luck into the event itself, some couples will hang dozens if not hundreds of paper cranes around their wedding venues. Not only does this bring good fortune, it also creates a unique and stunning aesthetic. 

A Positive Journey 

A wedding is a big step in a person’s life with many unknown variables attached to it. By taking part in traditions and rituals meant to encourage good luck on someone’s wedding day, you’re doing your part to ensure the relationship makes this transition in the most positive way possible.