Getting to roots of nuptial customs

Today's wedding ceremonies and receptions are filled with customswhich, when you think about them, appear to make little sense. Mostof them are remnants of earlier ways and even superstitions.

Here are explanations for commonly followed wedding traditions: Throwing the bouquet. The custom originated as a form ofself-defense, said Barbara Tober, author of The Bride: A Celebration.

In olden times, people believed the bride's adornments hadmystical value and tried to grab a piece of her outfit. The bridethrew the bouquet so the crowd would have something to grab and shecould escape with her clothes intact. Wedding ring on third finger of left hand. It's a custom …