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Wedding Folklore by Margaret Baker is a delightful dive into the stories, symbols, and superstitions that have shaped weddings for centuries. Ever wondered why brides wear veils, carry bouquets, or follow the tradition of “something old, new, borrowed and blue”? This enchanting book unpacks the meanings behind these familiar rituals, revealing a world where love, luck, and a touch of magic intertwine.
Rich with fascinating details, Baker brings history to life through the customs we still recognise today. From lucky wedding dates and curious regional traditions to the deeper symbolism of rings, cakes, and ceremonies, each page offers a new insight to surprise and intrigue.
- Discover the surprising meanings behind familiar wedding traditions, from veils and bouquets to rings, cakes and “something blue”.
- Explore the lucky charms, omens, rituals and superstitions that have shaped weddings across generations.
- Uncover the hidden stories behind the small details of a wedding, adding a sense of history, magic and meaning to the big day.
Perfect for dipping into or reading cover to cover, Wedding Folklore is an irresistible read for anyone who loves weddings, enjoys quirky history, or simply wants to discover the hidden meanings behind everyday traditions. It’s the kind of book that makes you see even the smallest details of a wedding in a whole new light...
Margaret Baker (born 1928) was a British author and folklorist best known for her engaging books on traditional customs, beliefs, and everyday folklore.
She built her reputation writing accessible, reader-friendly guides to folklore, often focusing on how traditions shape daily life and seasonal celebrations. Her work spans a wide range of subjects, including plants, gardening, rural life, the sea, and festive customs, reflecting a deep interest in the ways folklore is woven into ordinary experience.
I. The Approach to Marriage 12
Love Potions and Magic 13
Future Prospects 15
St Valentine’s Day and Leap Year 18
2. Courting Days 22
Trial Marriage and Bundling 23
Advertising for Brides 28
Tokens of Love 29
Betrothal and the Engagement Ring 33
3. The Marriage Contract 36
Arranging the Marriage: Brideprice and Dowry 37
Trousseau and Wedding Presents 42
Calling the Banns 47
Smock Weddings 48
Fleet Marriages, Gretna Green and Other Irregularities 49
The Wedding Eve 52
4. The Wedding Day 54
Choosing the Day 55
Wedding-day Weather 62
Good Luck and Ill: Taking Precautions 62
The Wedding Dress and Crown 67
The Wedding Ring 73
Flowers and Decorations 77
‘Stealing Mistress Bride’: Relics of Capture 84
The Procession 87
Teasing the Parson 90
5. After the Ceremony 92
Master for Life? 93
Fertility 95
Aphrodisiacs and Fidelity Charms 100
Ill-wishing and Impotence 103
Barring the Way: Rites of Passage 104
Bells, Feathers and Gunpowder 105
Races for Garter, Brose and Bottle 107
The Wedding Cake 109
Wedding Feast and Dance 113
The Bidden Wedding 117
The New Home: Customs of the Doorstep 119
Bedding the Bride and Flinging the Stocking 122
Chivari 126
6. Married Life 128
The Morning After 129
Sunday Splendour 130
The Dunmow Flitch 132
The Sale of Wives 133
Happy Anniversaries 134
Glossary 136
References 138
Bibliography 140
Acknowledgements 142
Index 143