It comes around just once every four years, the day women all over the world can decide to shirk tradition and pop the question to their significant other - as opposed to the other way around. Today, is a 'Leap Day'.
The tradition supposedly dates back to an old Irish legend that states two of Ireland's patron saints, St Brigid and St Patrick, struck a deal after the former complained that women had to wait too long for their partners to propose. They eventually agreed that women would be allowed to propose once every four years, coincidentally falling on the leap day.
A recent study found that Brits, in particular the over 55s, are shunning anniversary traditions in favour of something a little more modern. But what about the actual wedding? Are we still fully invested in some of the time honoured traditions of old when it comes to tying the knot?
To mark the leap year and celebrate the age old tradition, Hallmark Hotels conducted a poll to find out what wedding traditions we've carried in to the 21st century, and what new ones have cropped up.
The tradition supposedly dates back to an old Irish legend that states two of Ireland's patron saints, St Brigid and St Patrick, struck a deal after the former complained that women had to wait too long for their partners to propose. They eventually agreed that women would be allowed to propose once every four years, coincidentally falling on the leap day.
A recent study found that Brits, in particular the over 55s, are shunning anniversary traditions in favour of something a little more modern. But what about the actual wedding? Are we still fully invested in some of the time honoured traditions of old when it comes to tying the knot?
To mark the leap year and celebrate the age old tradition, Hallmark Hotels conducted a poll to find out what wedding traditions we've carried in to the 21st century, and what new ones have cropped up.
1. Spending the night before the wedding apart
Thought to be a time old tradition that most couples still adhere to, the research from Hallmark Hotels found that nationally only 54 per cent of us agree that a couple should spend their wedding evening apart. This could be due to the fact that many couples now live together years before marriage, something that would not have been seen as socially acceptable just a few decades ago.
However, the Northern Irish appear to still be fond of the tradition, with 72 per cent agreeing the bridge and groom should spend the night before in separate beds. Londoners, on the other hand, are the least traditional, with only 44 per cent (10 per cent less than the national average) believing in the tradition.
However, the Northern Irish appear to still be fond of the tradition, with 72 per cent agreeing the bridge and groom should spend the night before in separate beds. Londoners, on the other hand, are the least traditional, with only 44 per cent (10 per cent less than the national average) believing in the tradition.
2. Avoiding each other on the big day
It's generally thought to be bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her dress before they've walked down the aisle, and this is a tradition we're apparently eager to keep.
Nationally, 60 per cent said they still believed bride and groom should be kept separate once she's in her dress.
3. Wearing something, old, new, borrowed and blue
This particular tradition originates from an Old English rhyme - 'Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe'. The four objects the bride chooses to add to her wedding outfit are considered to be lucky charms.
The 'old' is supposed to represent continuity, the 'new', optimism, the 'borrowed' item symbolizes happiness, while the 'blue' stands for love, purity and fidelity.
Despite this, only 45 per cent of Brits said they'd be likely to uphold this tradition on their wedding day.
Despite this, only 45 per cent of Brits said they'd be likely to uphold this tradition on their wedding day.
4. Throwing the bouquet
This tradition stems from guests at the wedding - typically women - trying to rip pieces of the bride's dress and flowers in order to steal some of her good luck from themselves. To distract the crowd, the bride would toss her bouquet into the air and flee when her guests turned away.
Nowadays, as weddings can cost a small fortune, brides all over the world can heave a sigh of relief that we no longer think it appropriate to tear their dresses to pieces. Instead, the bride tosses the bouquet to her single guests, with the belief being that whoever catches it will be the next to marry.
However, this is quickly going out of fashion too. Only 38 per cent said they threw their bouquet or would consider it at their own wedding. Maybe it's time to bring back dress tearing?
Nowadays, as weddings can cost a small fortune, brides all over the world can heave a sigh of relief that we no longer think it appropriate to tear their dresses to pieces. Instead, the bride tosses the bouquet to her single guests, with the belief being that whoever catches it will be the next to marry.
However, this is quickly going out of fashion too. Only 38 per cent said they threw their bouquet or would consider it at their own wedding. Maybe it's time to bring back dress tearing?
5. Taking engagement selfies
The survey found that announcing your impending nuptials on social media via an 'engagement selfie' is less popular than you might image, with on 11 per cent saying they would do so.
This one isn't so traditional, but given the fact that today's technology is still relatively knew, in twenty or so years it might very well pick up in popularity and become the newest wedding tradition...
