A bride must not look in the mirror after dressing unless she adds another item, such as a glove, to her outfit afterward.

Bridal Mirror Superstition: Avoiding Bad Luck on the Wedding Day

Details

This superstition advises that a bride should avoid seeing her complete reflection in the mirror before the wedding ceremony, as it may invite bad luck to her marriage. If she does look in the mirror after putting on her wedding attire, an offsetting action is required: she must add an additional item, such as a glove, handkerchief, or brooch, that was not worn during the mirror viewing. The idea is to prevent ‘completeness’ from being symbolically ‘sealed’ before the ceremony, which is thought to jinx the day or marriage. The superstition is often followed as a light-hearted tradition rather than a strict rule, and some modern interpretations suggest it’s meant to encourage modesty and humility before the public ritual of marriage.

Historical Context

The superstition likely developed during the Victorian era when many symbolic traditions surrounded weddings. In this time, mirrors were often considered portals to the spirit world, and viewing oneself fully dressed before an important life event was thought to ‘trap’ one’s spirit or invite misfortune. Brides, in particular, were surrounded by numerous purity and luck-based practices, many of which emphasized avoiding completion or perfection before the ceremony. The concept of altering the outfit slightly after viewing oneself may also relate to the idea of ‘unfinished’ identity before stepping into a new life role, reinforcing marital modesty and cultural values of transformation.

Modern Relevance

Today, this superstition is followed mostly in a symbolic or playful sense. Wedding planning blogs, bridal etiquette columns, and social media sometimes reference it as a meaningful or quirky tradition. Some modern brides include it as part of the ‘something old, something new’ narrative or use it to add a sentimental item — like a relative’s brooch or borrowed bracelet — just before walking down the aisle. The superstition persists in regions with strong folk traditions such as parts of the UK and the US South, and among couples interested in heritage-inspired ceremonies. However, many people are unaware of the superstition unless they are researching wedding customs or involved in folk culture preservation.

Sources

Evans, Bergen. The Dictionary of Folklore. 1950.

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