Getting to the Church
Walking is thought to be the best way of getting to the Church, because there's more of a chance of spotting lucky omens. Seeing a rainbow, having sunshine on the bride, and meeting a black cat or a chimney sweep are all lucky. Of course you could run into some bad omens as well. Bad omens are considered seeing a pig, hare or lizard running across the road (not something we usually have to worry about) or seeing an open grave. Make sure you don't run into any Monks or Nuns either, because they foretell a life of barrenness and a life dependent on charity. Coming home from the church can be equally hazardous.

Wedding March
The traditional church wedding features two bridal marches, by two different classical composers. The bride walks down the aisle to the majestic, moderately paced music of the "Bridal Chorus" from Richard Wagner's 1848 opera "Lohengrin. The newlyweds exit to the more jubilant, upbeat strains of the "Wedding March" (From Felix Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream.")

The custom dates back to the royal marriage, in 1858, of Victoria, princess of Great Britain, and Empress of Germany, to Prince Frederick William of Prussia. Victoria, eldest daughter of Britain's Queen Victoria, selected the music herself. A patron of the arts, she valued the works of Mendelssohn and practically venerated those of Wagner. Given the British penchant for copying the monarchy, soon brides throughout the Isles, nobility and commoners alike, were marching to Victoria's drummer, establishing a Western wedding tradition.

Bride On Groom's Left
Because the early Anglo Saxon groom so often had to defend his bride from would-be kidnappers, she stood to his left, leaving his sword-arm free. The "best" warrior in the tribe stood by the groom and was responsible for helping defend the bride, thus the placement for the modern day best man.

Seating
In ancient days, fathers would offer daughters as peace offerings to warring tribes. Because of the hostility, the families were placed on opposite sides of the church so the ceremony could go on without bloodshed. The ceremony united the two warring factions into on family, and danger of war was resolved. 

Giving Away The Bride
In Old Times, female children were deemed to be the property of their fathers.  When it came time for the daughter to marry and her father approved of the arrangement, he was actually transferring ownership of his daughter to the groom.  Today, it is seen as symbolic of the blessings and support of her union as a promise of  continued trust and affection.  Often when the question is asked by a clergy during the ceremony,  "Who gives this woman to be married to this man," the father's response is,  "Her mother and I." 

White Aisle Runner
The white aisle runner symbolized God's holiness and walking on holy ground. It is believed that marriage is not just between two individuals but includes the presence of God who is actively involved in the marriage ceremony.

Taking Each Other's Right Hand
The open right hand is a symbol of strength, resource and purpose. The coming together of both right hands is a symbol that both the bride and the groom can depend on each other and the resources that each brings to the marriage. It also represents the merger of their lives together into one.

Groom Gives First Vows
Because he is the initiator, he is the first to state his vow for marriage. As the initiator of the covenant, the groom is to assume the greatest responsibility in the marriage.

The Wedding Ring
The marriage ring represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love. It is a representation of the promises joining both the bride and groom together. The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was traditionally believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart---the perfect place to place a symbol, representing eternal love and commitment.

The circular shape of the wedding ring has symbolized undying, unending love since the days of the early Egyptians.  A primitive bride wore a ring of hemp or rushes, which had to be replaced often.  Durable iron was used by the Romans to symbolize the permanence of marriage.  Today's favorite is of course, gold, with it's lasting qualities of beauty and purity. 

In ancient times, when life was much harder and oftentimes shorter, husbands practiced a superstitious ritual to ensure their wives spirits wouldn't leave too soon. The husband would wrap the bride's ankles and wrists with ropes of grass believing this would keep here spirit within her. Over the years, as religious beliefs evolved, the meaning (and material) of the bonds evolved as well. Today, brides thankfully don't bind their wrists and ankles, only their ring fingers, and grooms have adopted the practice as well. The grass gave way first to leather, then stone, then metal, and finally, to gold and silver. Today, the rings symbolize the love and bond between husband and wife.

First Kiss
No ceremony is complete without the kiss. In fact, there was a time when an engagement would be null and void without one. Dating back from early Roman times, the kiss represented a legal bond that sealed all contracts.

The kiss that seals the wedding is much more than a sign of affection. It has long been a token of bonding - the exchange of spirits as each partner sends a part of the self into the new spouse's soul, there to abide ever after. 

Unity Candle
The unity candle is a symbol of family unity. Usually a single candle (representing the newly married couple) is lit with two individual candles, each representing the bride's and groom's families.

Arch Of Swords Following Ceremony
Walking through the arc of swords following the ceremony was done to ensure the couple's safe passage into their new life together.