What are some wedding traditions and their meanings?

Many wedding traditions carry meanings that go back centuries. The wedding ring, usually worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, is a circle with no beginning or end, so it stands for eternal love and commitment. Exchanging rings during the ceremony is a public promise. Confetti, often thrown as you leave the ceremony, once meant seeds or grains to wish the couple fertility and prosperity. Today it is simply a joyful celebration. The first dance is a moment for the couple to be alone together in front of their guests, showing their partnership and setting the tone for the evening. Cutting the cake together is a shared act, symbolising cooperation and the first task you do as a married couple. The something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue tradition is meant to bring continuity, hope, borrowed happiness and loyalty. Giving away the bride, where a parent or relative walks the bride down the aisle, originally meant transferring responsibility, but many couples now see it as a loving escort. Speeches and toasts are a way to honour the couple and share stories. Remember, meanings can change. What matters is what a tradition means to you, not where it came from.