Whether held in a church or on a beach, for a few hours, or a whole day, with a guest list of 50 or 500, a wedding is structured around deeply symbolic rituals that have evolved from ancient times. “The celebration of a marriage with a wedding day event is in itself a tradition,” points out Kristy Ouwerkerk.

“For many couples, their wedding day is a chance to embrace the same traditions experienced by their parents, grandparents and engaged couples [from across the globe] going back hundreds of years. [These] traditions inject an element of magic and celebration into the practical outcome of getting married.”

Put A Ring On It

The ceremonial exchanging of rings to express a couple’s devotion to one another can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians in 3000 BC. “The circle shape of a wedding ring symbolises the eternity of marriage – a shape with no beginning and no end,” explains Ouwerkerk. “The hole in the ring’s centre represented a gateway or door to future events. These rings were placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because the ancient Egyptians believed that the vena amoris – the vein of love – ran directly from the heart to the top of this finger.”

While iron betrothal rings became popular among wealthy fifteenth-century Venetians, “our gratitude for diamond engagement rings goes [back] to Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who gifted one to the love of his life, Mary of Burgundy, in 1477”, says Ouwerkerk. “Diamonds are the hardest material on our planet and represent invincible strength,” she continues.

The purpose of the wedding ring has come a long way since ancient times, when a man would place it on his wife’s finger to entrust care of the household. Ouwerkerk explains that dual-ring ceremonies were introduced by the Greek Orthodox church in the 1300’s and were “adopted more broadly at the start of World War II, when many couples were married before the young men were sent off to war. The ring provided [the soldiers] solace, [serving] as a reminder of the bond of marriage and what was awaiting them back home.”

While today’s engagement and wedding rings still signify everlasting love and commitment, they can be made from any material (such as rose gold) and into any style (for example, overunder, cushion cut, and halo- or open-setting), depending on your preferences.

“Most Australian brides want a timeless wedding ring that [represents] what makes them unique,” says Ouwerkerk. “Your engagement ring needs to be something you’ll love as much 20 years from now as the day he popped the question.”

All Dressed In White 

You’ve likely heard that brides wear white as a symbol of purity and innocence, but this is a misconception. “The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is very young,” says Ouwerkerk. Until 1840, when Queen Victoria defied tradition and wore a white lace wedding gown that became a massive hit, brides simply wore their best dress.

However, this tradition seems to be decreasing in popularity, with 27 per cent of 18–24-year-old brides planning to wear something colourful on their wedding day. 

If you like the idea of a veil but want something more contemporary, you can find detachable styles that can be removed for a more casual look for the reception. “If you don’t like the idea of wearing a blusher, you can certainly walk down the aisle with your veil worn back and away from your face,” says Ouwerkerk.

“An increasingly common trend is to wear a veil substitute that complements the gown and overall style. Body veils that integrate with the actual wedding dress [can] have a soft, wispy and romantic quality.” For something more dramatic, Ouwerkerk suggests a cape that covers the shoulders – a style “made popular by the redcarpet style of celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow”.

For another stylish alternative, Ouwerkerk recommends wearing a bejewelled hairpiece, delicate flower crown, or bolero with feathers or faux-fur.

Tokens Of Luck 

Inspired by an old English rhyme, a bride traditionally wears something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue on her wedding day. “With so many interpretations and options for each of the four elements, you can easily keep this traditional element without too much extra planning or expense,” says Ouwerkerk. “[You could] even save money!”

Something Old 

Representing continuity and appreciation for the past, this token is usually an antique piece. “[You could] wear an old fur wrap, borrow some antique jewellery from your grandmother or incorporate some lace from your mother’s wedding dress into your own,” suggests Ouwerkerk. “Or, [you could] track down some antique photo frames to display at your reception, with photos of loved ones that are no longer with you or who couldn’t attend your big day.”

Something New 

Symbolising optimism for the future, this token is usually a gift from the groom or a family member, such as wedding day jewellery. “[Alternatively, you could] have champagne flutes monogrammed with your initials and use them at your reception to toast to your future as husband and wife,” says Ouwerkerk. “For an ultra-modern alternative, [matching] tattoos could fit this bill too!”

Something Borrowed 

As a symbol of borrowed happiness, wearing something that belongs to a loved one at your wedding is a great way to share the magic of the day with those close to you. “Think gorgeous accessories like your best friend’s clutch, mum’s veil or sister’s earrings,” says Ouwerkerk.

Modern wedding cakes are far more creative than the traditional fruit cake or common mud cake. Ouwerkerk says flavours are often chosen in relation to the theme or location of the wedding, “like a lemon and thyme cake for a provincial garden wedding, passionfruit and lime for a tropical beach wedding, or warm bourbon-laced toffee and date cake for a rustic winter wedding.”

“Visual showpieces, like macaron towers, continue to be popular, and very practical,” says Ouwerkerk. “Florals couldn’t be more fashionable… both large statement [cakes with] bright, bold floral patterns, as well as more organic-looking floral arrangements, such as climbing flowers and foliage.”

Ouwerkerk says that in the years to come, “metallics, pretty pinks and delicate lace will feature strongly, and interestingly, [we’ll see a] return to tradition with old-school royal icing and piped detailing…”

Rather than saving the top tier of the wedding cake for their first child’s christening, as has been done in the past, modern-day couples usually save a few slices to be enjoyed on their first wedding anniversary instead.

“[It’s] also common for your baker to make extra cakes in the same flavour as your wedding cake – just without all the gorgeous detailing – for your caterer or venue to serve to guests as dessert,” says Ouwerkerk. “This will save you big dollars and mean you can create an even more gorgeous design for the ceremonial cake.”

Traditions Today 

According to Ouwerkerk, “we are seeing a shift away from incorporating wedding traditions for tradition’s sake only. Couples are [beginning to] revamp old rituals, with greater emphasis on guest enjoyment, and creating memorable, personal experiences”.

New And Improved 

Traditionally, it was considered bad luck for the engaged couple to see each other the night before the wedding. In the modern-day adaption, the couple meets before the wedding ceremony, with the ‘first-look’ moment captured by the photographer.

“This serves an added purpose of allowing the couple to get the bulk of their wedding photos [taken] before the official celebrations, so wedding guests aren’t kept waiting for hours between the ceremony and reception,” says Ouwerkerk.

Increasingly, modern weddings offer a personalised experience. “With so many amazing ceremony and reception options available today, couples can hold their wedding at hidden-gem locations and unique venues,” says Ouwerkerk. “Or [they can] transform traditional venues into an experience that truly encapsulates their personalities and style.” According to Ouwerkerk, technology has also come to play a significant role in today’s weddings, with digital platforms like Veilability. com.au enabling couples to conveniently plan their weddings without the hassle of filing papers and keeping notebooks.