Weddings are filled with bizarre traditions from why brides can’t see the groom before the wedding to why brides wear white.
However, what you may not know is why brides always stand on the left hand side during the ceremony.
There is a very strange and very specific reason why the bride must stand on the left hand side at the altar.
And of course it is not romantic at all!
It stretches back to the 16th century and a disturbing practice called “marriage by capture” – otherwise known as kidnap.
Back then, men were expected to take brides from the local community but eligible women could be scarce.
Women were often snatched and brought to the groom to be wed.
The groom would then stand with the bride to his left so that he could easily draw his sword with his right arm without injuring her if attacked by other suitors or disapproving parents trying to rescue her.
In fact, this also explains the original role of the best man – whose job it was to kidnap the hapless bride in the first place.
He was known as the best man because the groom usually chose the most accomplished swordsman to carry out the deed on his behalf.
Culled from thesun.co.uk
