One of the most beloved wedding traditions involves the groom not seeing the bride's wedding dress until she walks down the aisle. This custom of keeping the dress a secret until the big reveal has its origins in medieval European superstitions about marriage. It was believed that if the groom caught even a glimpse of the dress before the ceremony, the wedding would be cursed with bad luck or the marriage doomed to failure. While we no longer give credence to such ominous superstitions today, the tradition of keeping the dress hidden persists as a way to build anticipation and suspense before the wedding.

After the vows are sealed with a kiss, the bride turns her back to a gaggle of excited bridesmaids and single female guests. With a flick of her wrist, she launches that coveted arrangement of flowers over her shoulder. What ensues is a blur of flailing arms, jostling torsos, and diving grabs at the airborne bouquet. It's all in good fun, but have you ever wondered how and why this tradition came about?