5 Unexpected Origins of Modern Wedding Traditions

Love and lore go hand-in-hand, and weddings carry a rich history of traditions, many with incredible origins. 

Join us as we explore the unexpected origins of 5 modern wedding traditions, and how they came to be.

1. The Engagement Ring 

Ever wondered how the engagement ring tradition began? In 1215, Pope Innocent III introduced a waiting period between betrothal and marriage, and engaged couples started displaying their commitment with a ring. Bling! 

2. Wedding Bouquet

The tradition of carrying a bouquet of flowers on the wedding day stems from England. Hundreds of years ago, it was believed that a piece of the bride's dress would carry good luck. To stop women from ruining the dress, the bride would toss the bouquet and made a swift exit. 

3. The Ring Finger

The reason we wear an engagement or wedding ring on the ring finger? Because the romantic Romans believed that the vein in the fourth finger on the left hand runs directly to the heart. The Romans call this vein the "vena amoris", or vein of love. 

4. Wedding Standing Order

A common question that brides and grooms ask is “which side do we stand on?". Traditionally, the groom will stand to the left of the bride - but why? This stems from the old days of 'marriage by capture', where the groom will need to have his right hand (his sword arm) free to defend the bride rival suitors. 

5. Tiered Wedding Cake

The wedding cake has a wealth of intriguing traditions and superstitions surrounding it. It was believed that in medieval England, the bridal couple would lead a prosperous life together if they successfully kissed over a multi-tiered cake. Cakes were stacked higher and higher, creating a light-hearted game that came to influence modern day wedding cakes. 
 

Written by Rachel Westbury. Image by Chris Hall Photography. 


Liked this? You will love these.
◦ 3 Incredible Wedding Desserts for Trending Couples ◦
◦Top 3 Tips for Planning Your Dream Wedding On A Budget ◦

3 Incredible Wedding Desserts For Trendsetting Couples

While the age old wedding tradition of cutting the cake remains in fashion, for many couples a traditional wedding cake doesn't quite 'cut it'. 

If you're looking for wonderful wedding cake alternatives for your special day, keep on reading to see our top 3 wedding desserts for trendsetting couples.

1. Designer Doughnut Stack

Photography by Taylor Kezia Photography.

Who would have thought that the humble doughnut could look so chic? This beautiful arrangement of designer doughnuts was made by another Brisbane-based talent, Nodo Donuts, with added florals by Aurora Floral Studio. These would be a perfectly sweet end, to an even sweeter wedding!

2. Decadent Wedding Dessert Bar

Why settle for one dessert, when you can serve an array of your favourite sweet-treats? This glamorous desert bar was created by the Brisbane-based baker, Deliberately Delicious. We'll take one of each, please!

3. Tantalising Cheese Tower

Thanks to the team at The Cheese Bar, you can celebrate your wedding by slicing into a sumptuous tower of gourmet cheeses! This Brisbane-based business can combine your favourite cheeses with an assortment of delicious nibbles to accompany your stack. A cheese-lover's heaven! 

Written by Rachel Westbury

Top 3 Tips for Planning Your Dream Wedding on a Budget

Breaking down your wedding budget can be hard, and sticking to it - even harder. But we've got some expert advice for couples who want to hear wedding bells while staying within budget. 

Whether you're planning an intimate elopement, or a sizeable celebration, our top three wedding planning tips will ensure your big day will be beautiful and budget-friendly. 

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1. Decide Upon Your Budget First

Before couples begin their wedding planning, we recommend that they first sit down and decide upon the amount they would ideally like to spend on their wedding day. If their parents wish to contribute to the wedding, it is a good idea to speak about how much they would like to pitch in before the planning begins. 

By settling on a budget early, it will help guide the decision making throughout the planning process. It will also allow couples to calculate a savings plan, so that they can successfully fund their special day (sans the added interest from credit cards).

2. Prioritise What Matters Most

Take time to consider which aspects of the wedding day are most important to you both. Write down the aspects that matter most, and note the things you are both willing to be flexible with. 

Would you be happy to walk the aisle without a live musician, but would love some ceremony styling? Or maybe you'd love to host more guests at your reception, so you would be happier for a more affordable menu option - or vice versa. 

Keeping a list of priorities on hand throughout the planning process will help guide couples when they are settling any conflicting costs. By compromising on some aspects of their wedding, they allow themselves to invest in the elements that matter to them most. 

3. Weigh In On Your Venue Options

Statistics show that a wedding reception accounts for roughly 50 per cent of the overall wedding cost. It's important that couples assess which wedding venue will be the best fit for their style preferences and their budget.  

Pay particular interest to what the venue can offer within their package inclusions, as these small extras can lead to big savings. For example, what decor and styling does the venue offer in-house? Do they include centrepieces, tea lights, mirror bases, or chair sashes? Is there a room hire or cleaning fee? Is AV included, or will you need to hire a sound system and microphones? 

If you are flexible with your date, many venues offer special packages for off-peak seasons such as summer and winter. On a similar thread, if you are open to a range of catering options, many venues can also offer more budget-friendly menus; such as a high tea menu, or a two course dinner menu with your wedding cake served for dessert. 

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We hope our these tips help you plan the wedding of your dreams, without the hefty price tag. 

Until next time... 

Written by Rachel Westbury. Image by Jason Briscoe. 

Welcome to the Boulevard Blog

Welcome to the Boulevard Gardens new digital platform, The Boulevard Blog. 

The Boulevard Blog will feature the latest news, events, and expert advice from our team of professional wedding and events coordinators. 

Whether you're planning a wedding, celebration, or something in between, you will find plenty of inspiration and guidance within our vibrant online blog. 

Our team has years of experience in the wedding, events, and hospitality industry, and there is nothing that we love more than bringing your special event to life. 

If you are excited about the launch of our new blog, please let us know by clicking the heart button below. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more expert event planning advice.

Until next time... 

Written by Rachel Westbury. Photography by Chris Hall Photography at the Boulevard Gardens.