Bridesmaid Superstitions
Evil Spirits
Being a bridesmaid was - and is - a great honour. However in years gone by it could also be dangerous. One of the roles of the bridesmaid was to confuse and distract the evil spirits who wanted to ruin the marriage. As such the bridesmaids were in danger of being attacked themselves. Bad luck and sickness might follow.
Three Times A Bridesmaid
Being a bridesmaid once is an honour. Twice doubly so. But three times?
There's an old saying Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride. That could be connected with the evil spirits mentioned above. A woman who acted as bridesmaid
too often could become tainted with evil and bad luck, meaning that she herself would never get married.
A more down to earth - if rather sexist - explanation is that bridesmaids look their best during the wedding ceremony. If after three such public outings in all her finery a woman still hadn't attracted a husband then the chances were she never would. Hopefully things have changed since the days when that was true.
Mind Your Step
Another way the bridesmaid can damage her chances of becoming a bride is apparently by tripping over on the way up the aisle. Not only would this be extremely embarrassing but, according to folklore, would mean that she herself will never become a bride.
So, bridesmaids, when you're buying those pretty new shoes for the wedding day, make sure you can walk in them without falling over!