The wedding ring. An ancient Germanic superstition, older than recorded history, held that a bride’s finger would fall off on the wedding night if not bound with iron. Gold or silver is now usually substituted for the traditional iron, but the meaning of the gesture is the same.
Throwing shoes. In the days when brides were commonly obtained by abduction from neighboring tribes, it was natural for the relatives of the bride to make use of whatever projectiles came to hand, or to foot, if one may use the expression.
Bridesmaids. These were originally members of the bride’s bodyguard, and still retain the custom of dressing in uniform.
Throwing the garter. Originally the garter held a concealed dagger; with the disappearance of that traditional accessory, the garter itself had to be thrown, and the supposed meaning of the tradition underwent a subtle change.
Tossing rice. Rice began to be substituted in the nineteenth century for the more traditional, but more expensive, buckshot.
Honeymoon. The wedding trip or honeymoon vacation originated in the custom of running like blazes as far as possible away from the angry mob of the bride’s relatives.