There are hundreds of wedding traditions that we continue to practice today – the white gown, the exchanging of the rings and so many more. But where did these rituals come from?
Why would you wear a veil over your face anyway?
Dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, veils used to be brightly colored to keep demons and evil spirits away. Due to the dazzling hues, a bride’s view was often blocked. Hence, the tradition of a bride’s father leading her down the aisle came into play.
As arranged marriages became popular, the veil was used to keep brides and grooms from seeing each other until the veil was lifted for the presentation of the bride.
The tradition of the veil then became a demonstration of the bride’s chastity and the submission of the bride to her groom.
Today, the custom of the veil carries on, but merely as an accessory to the wedding gown.
There are many different types of veils worn today:
* Blusher: a short veil that covers the bride’s face
* Flyaway: a short veil that ends at the shoulder
* Fingertip: extends just below the waist, brushing the bride’s fingertips
* Sweep: ends at the floor
* Chapel: measures nine feet long and trails along the ground
* Cathedral: measures 12 feet long and has a significant train
http://voices.yahoo.com/the-wedding-veil-tradition-continues-into-the-219027.html?cat=23
