When planning your wedding at Chapman Hill, a stunning 17-acre event venue near Jefferson, you’ll likely incorporate various traditions into your celebration. But have you ever wondered where these traditions come from? Weddings are filled with customs passed down through generations, each with its unique history and meaning.
As you figure out how to plan a wedding and tour potential venues, learning about these traditions can add even more meaning to your big day. At Chapman Hill, we love hosting weddings that reflect personal stories and cultural histories. In this blog, we’ll explore the origins of some of the most beloved wedding traditions and how they can be brought to life at our beautiful farmhouse venue.
1. The White Wedding Dress
The white wedding dress is one of the most iconic symbols of a wedding. However, wearing white wasn’t always the norm. The tradition dates back to 1840 when Queen Victoria of England wore a white gown to her wedding to Prince Albert. Before that, brides often wore their best dress—regardless of color. Queen Victoria’s choice set a trend, and white soon became associated with purity and elegance.
At Chapman Hill, the rustic elegance of our indoor barn and outdoor ceremony spaces provides the perfect backdrop for a traditional white dress. Whether you’re walking down our tree-lined aisle or dancing under our barn’s draped linens, your dress will shine in every setting.
photo - @taylorhandtephotography | coordinator - Becky Anderson | floral - Faithworks Creative Design
2. The Wedding Cake
The wedding cake, a staple of modern weddings, has evolved from a rather unusual tradition. In ancient Rome, a simple barley or wheat cake was broken over the bride’s head to symbolize fertility and prosperity. The crumbs were then eaten by guests as a way to share in the couple’s happiness. Over time, this evolved into the multi-tiered confection we enjoy today.
If you’re a fan of this tradition, Chapman Hill’s spacious reception area offers plenty of room for showcasing your dream cake. Whether you go for a simple, rustic design or an elaborate multi-tiered creation, your cake will look picture-perfect in our indoor space.
cake - @zellscottagebakery | photography - @sabrinakthomasphotography | florals - @knewtonweddings
3. The Bouquet Toss
The bouquet toss is a fun tradition many brides still enjoy today. The custom comes from 14th-century England, where women believed that grabbing a piece of the bride’s dress or flowers would bring good luck. To avoid having her gown torn, the bride would toss her bouquet into the crowd, and whoever caught it was believed to be the next to marry.
At Chapman Hill, we have plenty of open outdoor space, perfect for your bouquet toss. Imagine tossing your flowers under the canopy of walnut trees, with your friends and family gathered to catch it as part of your celebration.
photo - @ae.videography.photography | coordination - @lovelydayweddings | makeup - @tipsmaquillate @carolcbeauty | hair - @carlacstylist
4. Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
This charming rhyme dates back to Victorian England and is meant to bring good luck to the bride. Each item symbolizes a different aspect of marriage:
Something Old: Represents the bride’s past and her family.
Something New: Symbolizes the couple’s bright future together.
Something Borrowed: Often a sentimental item from a happily married friend or relative, symbolizing good fortune.
Something Blue: Stands for purity, love, and fidelity.
Brides getting married at Chapman Hill often love incorporating these elements into their day.
Whether you’re honoring family traditions or adding your own personal touches, our venue’s timeless, elegant charm makes the perfect backdrop for these symbolic details.
photo - @southernframe_studio | coordinator - @lovelydayweddings | floral - @jldesignsweddings
5. The First Dance
The first dance is a cherished wedding tradition, symbolizing the couple’s unity as they take their first steps together as newlyweds. The tradition stems from grand European balls, where the guests of honor would open the dance floor with an elegant waltz. Today, couples choose their favorite song—whether it’s a romantic ballad or something more upbeat—to mark this special moment.
At Chapman Hill, you can choose between an intimate first dance inside our beautifully decorated barn or a dance under the stars in our spacious outdoor areas. Our versatile venue gives you the freedom to personalize this tradition in a way that reflects your unique style.
photo - @k_p_photo | coordination - @georgiadollevents | floral - @bloomandivyweddings | hamu - @lavenderluxebridal
Bringing Your Traditions to Life at Chapman Hill
At Chapman Hill, we’re proud to be a premier venue near Jefferson that blends rustic charm with modern elegance. Our indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to accommodate a variety of traditions, giving you the freedom to celebrate your wedding day exactly as you envision.
Whether you’re embracing old customs or creating new ones, our venue offers a versatile setting that enhances every moment.
photo - @johnandkymcreativeco
We hope this look into the origins of different wedding traditions has inspired you as you plan your big day. If you’re ready to bring these traditions to life at our 17-acre event venue, we invite you to schedule a tour with us. We’re here to answer any of your questions when booking a venue, guide you through the planning process, and help you create a wedding experience that’s as unique as your love story.
Welcome to the Chapman Hill family!
Thank you so much for stopping by our blog, we hope you found this information helpful. We want to use our blog to increase awareness and support for locally owned wedding venues. Locally owned wedding venues tend to provide a higher level of expertise, service and dedication. They also have far less turnover than corporate owned or investor owned venues. As you plan your wedding we hope you will consider a locally owned wedding venue like ours. You can find locally owned wedding venues on this wedding venue map.
Below is a shout out to fellow locally owned wedding venues around the country!
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