RSVP Anyssa Bridal Shoe; $75 at Zappos.com

My ongoing hunt for the perfect bridal shoe is, admittedly, egocentric and totally obsessive. To relieve my guilt for putting so much weight on my shoes, I started researching traditions, superstititions, and the symbolism of shoes in weddings to help justify my quest. So after a little hunting, here are a few varied but fun factoids for today’s friday shoe history corner which I was surprised to read.

  • Shoes tied to the back of the newlyweds’ car has evolved from the Tudor custom where guests would throw shoes at the newlywed couple. It was considered lucky if they or their carriage were hit. The shoes were later replaced with tin cans because guests were tired of going home with only one shoe and because the noise from the tins was believed to ward off evil. 1
  • The custom of the bride tossing her bouquet over the shoulder was originally performed by throwing one of her shoes over her shoulder. 2 - I’m sure modern day wedding guests are delighted that this tradition is no longer upheld. Can you imagine the odors? 
  • In Hungary, the groom drinks a toast to his bride out of her wedding slipper.3 - So this is why I need new shoes! I wouldn’t want my fiancee to drink out of dirty old shoes.
  • In ancient Egypt, the bride’s father gave the groom her sandal as a symbolic gesture, indicating she now belonged to him and to symbolize the passing of responsibility for the daughter to her new husband.4
  • In ancient China, brides wore lotus shoes which were decorated with instructions on how to consummate the marriage. 4
  • In Greek weddings, the names of all the bridesmaids are written on the sole of the shoe.  The names of those rubbed off at the end of the night would eventually get married.  Those whose names were left were, well screwed. 5

Sources:

1 Bed Bath and Beyond: Bridal Facts and Fun Trivia
2 Wedding Customs and Superstitions
3 The Information Please Girls’ Almanac: Shoes as Symbols
4 Bridal.com.au: Bridal Shoes
5 Big Fat Greek Wedding: The Bridal Shoe

There now. I feel my shoe hunting is now (somewhat) more justified.