The History and Meaning of Wedding Bells

You've likely heard the phrase "I hear wedding bells ringing" once or twice before. Whether it was in reference to your impending proposal or your quickly approaching wedding day, bells have been a long-standing tradition and cultural staple in the wedding space for centuries.

More specifically, this detail is typically incorporated into wedding ceremonies to represent abundance and prosperity. Within Irish nuptials, for example, bells are typically gifted to the couple as a sign of good luck, or a "Bells of Ireland" flower (an annual summer bloom that's symbolic of good luck) will be integrated into the bride’s bouquet. Additionally, in Guatemala, it's tradition for the groom’s mother to break a white ceramic bell—which is filled with grains, including rice and flour—as a sign of good fortune to the newlyweds. Simply put, wedding bells are used to symbolize the start of a new future and a happily ever after.

Interested in learning more? Here, we highlight the history and meaning of wedding bells, in addition to the various interpretations and origins behind this well-known tradition. Following the expertise of wedding planner Heather Dwight, here's everything you need to know.

The History and Meaning of Wedding Bells

"The ringing of bells at weddings is a tradition that can be traced back to Celtic lands, such as Scotland, where it was believed that the ringing of church bells would ward off evil spirits as well as grant wishes," shares Dwight. What's more, church bells were often incorporated into wedding ceremonies as a way to spread the news across long distances, in order to let the whole area know that a couple was now happily married. 

Today, bells continue to play a prominent role in modern weddings, and it’s not uncommon for wedding bells to ring after a church ceremony to celebrate a couple's union and mark their grand exit. They can even be used during the reception as an encouragement to kiss (similar to the clinking of wine glasses). So while the superstition about evil spirits may not be so common today, the joyful sound of bells and their association with weddings has certainly stuck around.

Lastly, brides have now found creative ways to incorporate bells into their ceremonies, from wedding reception décor to personalized favors for guests. Echoing that sentiment, Dwight adds, "Bells have also been historically used as a universal symbol of marriage on various decorations. It’s common to see two bells joined at the top with a bow symbolizing the connection between two people."

How to Incorporate Wedding Bells Into Your Ceremony and Reception

No matter how you choose to use wedding bells on your big day, the happy sound of ringing bells will be a beautiful addition to your nuptials. That being said, if you're looking for a few ideas on how to incorporate this tradition (outside of just ringing it at your ceremony), consider using bells as a standout piece of décor. Whether you've seen them on Pinterest (perhaps, you've even added them to your dream wedding mood board) or noticed them being used as table décor, bells are becoming increasingly more popular at every type of celebration.

When used as decoration, most individuals tie two bells together with a bow to represent two people joined together in marriage. Dwight also recommends placing bells on each guest's seat during the ceremony, so once you and your partner are lawfully wedded, guests will have the chance to ring their bells in celebration of your newlywed status (not to mention it will serve as a nice favor post-event). Need another idea? If you're hosting a modern barn wedding, consider incorporating cowbells throughout your reception space.

The best part? Finding wedding bells is a quick task you can easily get done. While some couples will use a bell that's been passed down as a family heirloom, there are various retailers to shop from if hoping to purchase new bells for your nuptials. It's worth checking out the selection at your local craft store, or, for personalized engraved wedding bells, Etsy never disappoints.