Brides have worn veils for centuries. In ancient cultures, it was considered bad luck for any male outside of the bride’s family to see her before the wedding. She often wore a thick and dark-colored veil for several days preceding the ceremony in order to prevent such an occurrence. On the day of the wedding, she continued to wear a veil (now sheer or white) and surrounded herself with attendants in hopes of fooling evil spirits that might try to harm her and foil the fortunes of her family.

The unveiling took place when the bride was finally presented to her groom. The veil then symbolized Read the rest of Why wear a veil? »

The Hebrew tradition of the veiling of the bride stems from the biblical story of Rebecca; veiling herself before meeting her husband Isaac. Tradition states: when Rebecca went to Isaac’s family’s area, she saw a man in a field and asked who he was; the reply was Isaac your husband to be; at that point Rebecca placed her veil over herself. Many see the marriage of Isaac and Rebecca as a marriage made in heaven and with great reverence the tradition of the veiling the bride was incorporated into Jewish wedding ceremonies.

For the "veiling of the bride" the groom’s father and the bride’s father along with the Rabbi and other members of the wedding party escort the groom to the bride’s reception area (this would be where the bride Read the rest of Why the Groom Veils the Bride – A Jewish Wedding Tradition »