Carrying the Bride Across The Threshold

A newly wed couple usually headed towards their new home, eager to start new married life. A husband would carry his wife over the threshold into their new home. This act was carried out as the people living in those times believed that evil spirits lingered around the new home. By caring his newly married wife across the threshold, a doting husband was protecting his new bride and their marriage. This tradition originated in Italy.

Another reason why a bride was carried over the threshold into their new home was that a well brought up woman, who was still a virgin, was reluctant to enter into the bed chamber where the couple would consummate the marriage. A husband would carefully and lovingly carry her into the bed chamber to show her that she could trust him to take care of her. This tradition symbolizes the protection and care a husband promises to his new bride and their children.