Many wedding traditions stem from very old customs, religions or superstitions, while others evolve through necessity. Some are the result of the love we have for something or someone.  A new "old" wedding tradition that is rising in popularity comes from the love we have for our pets.

Who was the first to include a pet in their wedding and when did it happen? We can't be 100% sure. Most likely it occurred around 2100B.C. in the Bedouins tribes of Egypt who adored their Salukis. A resurgence of this tradition is occurring among contemporary couples all over the world. These couples are choosing to make their furry companions a part of the ceremony.

What is causing the resurgence of this doggie wedding tradition? The rising age of first times brides and grooms seems to be the contributing factor. After all, their pets were their constant companions before the love of their life enter their world.  That's not to say that younger couples haven't included pets in their weddings.  There have been weddings with all different types of pets from snakes to ferrets and from dogs to cats. In all cases, you can be certain that a couple who chooses to have a pet in their ceremony does this out of love for their non-human companion.

Of course, dogs are the most common wedding attendees.  They have even been members of the wedding party. Dogs have served as ring bearers, flower carriers, and even the bride or groom's "dog of honor" or "best" dog.  You can even find tuxedos to fit your pet to carry this tradition to the full extent.

This "old" new tradition is one that is gaining in popularity. So, don't be surprised if at the next wedding you attend you see a furry friend escorting the Bride to the alter.

Where Did The Tradition Of Tying Shoes To The Bridal Vehicle Come From?

Some people believe the tradition stems from the Egyptians.  It is said that Egyptians once exchanged sandals after exchanging goods. As a result, it is thought that the father would give the groom his daughter's sandals (bride's shoes), symbolizing that they were the grooms property now.

Another  idea of shoes and wedding traditions comes from the bible.  In Ruth 4:7 it states that ; Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor: and this was a testimony in Israel.

Both ideas show how shoes can be part of commitment to a contract.  Incorporating shoes into the tradition of weddings seems natural, since wedding vows and ceremonies are contracts of commitments between a bride and groom.  But how did the old tradition turn to shoes being tied to bumpers?

During the Anglo-Saxon years( 5th century), people took to throwing shoes at the bride and groom as a way to wish them luck on their journey, as well as fertility. It could be that maybe, just maybe, someone threw a shoe just a bit to hard and bit to precise. Possibly knocking either the bride or groom out thus resulting in a change of tradition at the next wedding. Instead of throwing shoes, they tied them to the carriage. After all the point of a tradition is merely symbolization. Tied shoes symbolizes the husband and wife being "tied" together (committed to one another) and tying baby shoes to the bumper certainly symbolizes fertility.

We can't be certain of when the tradition changed; but even in today's time, you will see many different countries still carrying on the "tying of the shoes" wedding tradition to the couples car.