Superstitious beliefs have kept many a couple separated until the ceremony, protecting their matrimonial fate from being doomed from the start. The tradition of spending the wedding eve apart is when to-be-weds refrain from seeing one another the night before their wedding, often until the ceremony.
The big decision lots of couples are asking themselves is whether to spend it together or stick to tradition and sleep apart. It really is entirely up to you. There isn't a rule that says you have to but here's what's most important: that you relax. You'll want to rest up so you're totally prepared for your wedding.
No Peeking
You've probably heard that it's bad luck to see your fiancé on the wedding day before your ceremony. The reason is that, back when marriages were arranged, the bride and groom weren't allowed to see or meet each other at all until they were at the altar.
According to tradition, the groom is not allowed to see the bride before the wedding, something we put down to bad luck, with most couples today still sticking to the traditional rules.
The traditional route includes the groom spending a night with his family, like parents or siblings if possible or at his best friend's place. Many grooms now spend the important night before their wedding at a comfortable or luxurious hotel so that they get good rest and peaceful sleep to gear up for the next day.
Sleeping separately from your partner the night before the wedding is a cultural tradition rooted in the superstition of ensuring a happy marriage and the need to prove a bride's purity. For modern couples, this has largely become a matter of personal preference.
Whether it's to get a jump on the wedding night, to catch some sleep before an early-morning honeymoon flight, or to follow tradition, the bride and groom often slip away from the reception before guests leave.
The wedding night, also most popularly known as 'suhaag raat', is when newly-weds are expected to consummate their marriage and for many couples, who had never had a physical relationship before, this night might be the first time they would be having sex with the partner.
Inform your maid of honor or wedding party about your period, and let them know you'll need their help during the day. You might even want to pass off some ibuprofen to them for safekeeping. Ask them to hold some menstrual products for you, if need be, and get them to keep an eye on your dress.
The rehearsal dinner usually takes place the night before the wedding. However, some couples decide to have the rehearsal dinner two nights before the wedding to give family and friends a chance to recuperate before the big day. The rehearsal dinner is a chance for families to spend time together in a relaxed setting.
A first look is a modern tradition and is one of the most powerful moments on a wedding day. At some point after your getting ready, you get to see each other before the aisle moment. Away from all the busyness of a wedding day, a first look allows you to connect, reflect, and celebrate, just the two of you!
This leaves many wondering which finger their new ring should go on or if they should even be wearing their engagement ring to the ceremony. It's perfectly normal, however, to wear both the engagement ring and the wedding ring during your wedding ceremony – how you wear them is up to you.
The tradition is based on an Old English rhyme that dates back to 19th-century Lancashire. It describes the items a bride should have on her wedding day: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe."
Our company data from a 2018 survey shows that less than 40% of couples actually have sex on their wedding night. There are lots of reasons why a couple might wait until after the wedding night to get physically intimate, but often it's down to one simple thing: tiredness.
Stay Over with the Groom
Traditionally, the best man may stays with the groom the night before the wedding. Prepare for this with drinks and lots of snacks, but make sure the groom doesn't drink too much or eat anything that could cause an issue the next day.
The tradition of not seeing the bride for 24 hours, or possibly just the night before the wedding, stems from an ancient tradition of the bride not showing her face to the groom at all before they were married, something that very few Australian couples would consider today!
This concept has also hoisted the prevalent myth that a girl must bleed on her wedding night to prove her virginity, blame it on lack of knowledge or traditional beliefs. Well, not true in all the cases as your hymen can break before your sexual contact.
Honeymoon Pills, or Period Delay Pills, are taken to delay your period, sometimes by up to 17 days. By keeping your progesterone levels raised, the Honeymoon Pill prevents the breaking down of uterine lining. It should be noted that Period Delay Pills do not prevent pregnancy (as they don't stop ovulation).
Having a first kiss is NOT a legal requirement. Some couples are not comfortable with a “forced” public kiss – and celebrants are quite happy to leave the kiss out of the ceremony.
Don't Make It All About Yourself
The Indian first night should be about getting to know each other well. However, it's best to not go on and on about yourself on the first night itself, especially if it's an arranged marriage.
It is a natural grief, felt at the time of separation. An essential part of a traditional wedding, weeping brides are customary not only in India but also in other parts of the world especially in Indo-European cultures. The Germans considered crying essential for a happy married life.
It's certainly fine to leave before the end of the reception. If at all possible, stay until after the cutting of the cake. Regardless, simply make sure you get some face time with the couple to visit and offer your best wishes. If you've done this, it's not necessary to say goodbye.
The After-Party
Many wedding venues have a curfew of 10 p.m., and some are even earlier, depending on zoning restrictions. For most couples, 10 p.m. is not nearly late enough to stop the party. Thus, the inclusion of an after-party has become a widely endorsed practice within the greater wedding community.