Bells have long been associated with weddings, but did you know the reason why? The sound of the bells was thought to ward off evil spirits, which is why it is customary to ring them at the conclusion of the marriage ceremony. The wedding bells motif is a sweet one that would be fun to include in a retro or vintage inspired wedding. You could really run with the retro vibe by wearing a 1950s style bridal gown and jewelry.

The classic symbol of a pair of bells would be adorable on letterpress invitations. You can also find an original vintage wedding bells topper for your wedding cake. Another fun idea is to have your guests ring little bells at the end of your ceremony instead of throwing rice or flower petals. Or you could give each guest a small silver or brass bell engraved with your wedding date as their favor, and have the joyful sound of ringing bells mark your exit from the reception as you dash off to the limo.

Orange blossoms are another auspicious wedding symbol, especially for couples who are hoping to start a family right away. The orange blossom has been a favorite of brides for eons. In ancient China, orange blossoms were said to represent purity, chastity, innocence, and fruitfulness. It is the last of those, fertility, that has made the orange blossom an enduring emblem of good luck at weddings. Real orange blossoms are small white flowers with a heavenly fragrance.

Brides in countries like England, Spain, and the Philippines, just to name a few, wore these little blossoms in their hair or carried them in their bouquets on their wedding days. The orange blossoms were traditionally woven into wreaths. Queen Victoria wore quite a grand orange blossom wreath for her wedding, cementing the tiny white flowers as a must-have accessory for brides well into the 1950s. Beautiful handmade wax orange blossoms became popular in the 1920s, often interwoven with little pearl stamen to coordinate with the bridal jewelry. These wax flowers can still be found today in antique stores, and make a wonderful addition to a custom modern tiara or comb headpiece. Fresh orange blossoms are beautiful as a decoration for the wedding cake, perhaps alongside a few small oranges (real or marzipan). This motif also is lovely for the wedding stationery.

If you are looking for a truly lucky symbol for your wedding, why not use a four leaf clover or shamrock? This cheerful little emblem of good luck would be perfect for a couple with Irish heritage, or of course for a St. Patrick's Day wedding. It would be very easy to incorporate into a wedding in everything from invitations to the wedding cake to the favors. A really sweet idea would be to serve trays of little petit fours after dinner with the signature lucky clover motif on them. The groom can even have fun with this wedding motif, in the form of a pair of shamrock socks worn with his suit.

Choosing a special motif for your wedding is a fantastic way to give it style and character, as well as a cohesive feeling. When you are deciding on which motif to use, why not pick one that has lucky symbolism behind it? You surely be glad to have the extra luck that an auspicious motif can bring to your wedding day and beyond.