It is a Western custom for a newly married couple to exchange a kiss at the conclusion of their wedding ceremony. Some Christians hold the belief that the kiss symbolizes the exchange of souls between the bride and the groom, fulfilling the scripture that “the two shall become one flesh.”
However, some trace the tradition to an ancient Roman
tradition, whereby the exchange of a kiss signified the completion of a
contract. Although the kiss is not a formal requirement of the ceremony, most
regard the gesture as a joyful start of the marriage. The most traditional way
guests entice the new couple to kiss is by clinking their glasses. An ancient
Christian tradition explains that the clinking sound scares the devil away and
the couple kisses in his absence. Another tradition is to ring bells placed at
the tables by the wedding party. A ring of the bell signals the bride and groom
to kiss.
How "you may kiss the bride" became a wedding
custom
It's a popular custom for couples to kiss immediately
after tying the knot.
But how did this custom begin?
It is a practice you’ll see at so many weddings, alright,
but where did it begin from, and why was it necessary to begin it in the first
instance.
You may kiss the bride: A brief history
It is claimed by several accounts that back in the day
during the reign of the Roman empire, [753 BC to 27 BC and then from 64 AD to
1453 AD.], it is believed that the bride and the groom would not have kissed
each other until the time of their wedding.
The kiss after the exchange of vows is seen traditionally as
their first kiss ever.
Another reason why kissing after the vows became a thing was
because marriages were seen as contracts and in Roman times kissing was a legal
bond that sealed all contracts.
So, the couple would kiss as a seal to the marriage contract
they concluded.
A kiss of peace
Another account traces it back to the holy kiss given by
ancient priests who conducted wedding ceremonies.
Back then, it was customary for the priest to give a holy
‘kiss of peace’ to the groom, who in return kisses the bride.
Eventually, "you may now kiss the bride," became a
common phrase heard at weddings as a result of this.
Religious influence
Some Christians, according to Wikipedia, believe that the
first post-wedding kiss symbolizes the exchange of souls between the bride and
the groom, fulfilling the part of the bible that says “…the two shall become
one flesh.” [Genesis 2:24]
However, though many wedding ceremonies would include this
action in the wedding program, the kiss is not traditionally a part of the
religious ceremony and your wedding remains valid whether or not you and your
boo kiss at the altar.