It was thought, in ancient tradition, that it was unlucky to marry in the month of May because in Roman times the Feast of the Dead and the Festival of the Goddess of Chastity both occurred in May.
According to Christian tradition it was thought that misfortune would come to those who married during lent - "marry in lent, live to repent" - because lent was a time for abstinence.
Queen Victoria was thought to have made the white wedding gown popular with her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840, although the tradition of wearing white began as far back as medieval times. It is meant to signify the bride's purity and her worthiness to marry her groom.
The tradition of tying empty cans to the back of the newly married couple's car originated long ago when items which would produce noise were tied to the back of the couple's carriage to scare away evil spirits.
The tradition of the three-tiered wedding cake is thought to have been inspired by the spire of St Bride's Church in London.
