French Wedding Traditions

The tradition of the bridal trousseau or hope chest originated in France. French brides also begin wearing white hundreds of years before English and American brides. The tradition of flowers decorating the wedding ceremony also dates back several hundred years in France. They were originally used to freshen up the church. French weddings are typically held in the spring and summer because it is warm. In some small villages the groom will come to the bride’s home and escort her to the wedding. As the groom escorts his bride, children will stretch white ribbons over the road, which the bride will cut. Just before the wedding starts the groom will walk his mother down the aisle. When the newlyweds leave the wedding ceremony laurel leaves are scatted over their path.

During the wedding reception, toast are made to the bride and groom. Following the toast the bride and groom drink from an engraved double handled goblet. The goblet is a family heirloom that is passed down. After the wedding reception the friends of the newlyweds will show up outside the couple’s home and make lots of noise. The groom is expected to invite them in for drinks and snacks.