- In Thailand, the mothers of the bride and groom walk to the altar to drape puang malai -- flower garlands -- around the couple's shoulders to wish them good fortune in their life together.
- Swedish and Danish grooms sew small pockets of strong-smelling herbs like garlic, chives, and rosemary into their clothes for good luck.
- The Indian groom's brother sprinkles flower petals over the couple at the end of the ceremony to protect them from evil.
- Ancient Greek brides often carried ivy at their weddings as a symbol of their never-ending love for their sweeties.
- Ancient Roman brides carried bunches of herbs to symbolize fidelity and fertility -- and to scare off evil spirits.
- The Victorians, who were fascinated by the meanings of different blooms, popularized the wedding rose, which represents true love.
- Also in Victorian ages, the bride originally tossed her bouquet to a friend as she left the festivities to keep that friend safe (by warding off evil spirits, of course) and to offer her luck; this came to mean that the single woman who caught the bouquet would marry next.
- In a Greek Orthodox wedding, crowns of orange blossoms were traditionally made for the bride and groom -- they even matched the delicate embroidery on the bride's dress. The blossoms symbolize virginity and purity because they are white and fragile, and they emit a sweet, delicate scent.
- In Tudor England, brides carried marigolds dipped in rosewater and ate them afterward, since they were thought to be aphrodisiacs!
- According to Italian tradition, the front grill of the Italian getaway car is decorated with flowers, paving the road to a happy marriage.
- In the Middle East, the bitter herb artemisia is incorporated into bridal bouquets to ensure that marriages will survive bitterness as well as sweetness.
- According to Indian tradition, both the bride and the groom sport a floral headpiece.
