Natural, relaxed and creative wedding photography.

Whether a huge rock a la Elizabeth Taylor style, or a more modest golden band, wedding rings carry the greatest ‘value’ in the true love they bestow – something that money just cannot buy. With our wedding photography, here in Mackay, the Whitsundays or places far away, we always ensure that the symbols of your day – the wedding rings themselves are displayed in your wedding photos with a very special display, because you won’t be taking them off again! Below is a little bit of history,  about your wedding rings.

Symbols of your love

In older times, wedding rings were not only an exchange of love, but they were also to do with money. According to an old book, EdwardVI, after the words that we all know of – ‘with this ring I thee wed …’ they were followed by ‘this gold and silver I give thee’ – at which time the groom handed over a leather purse full of gold and silver coins to his bride.

With this ring I thee wed ....

Wedding rings are placed on the left hand’s ring finger because of an ancient custom, or belief in the ‘vena amoris’ – the ‘vein of love’ that is believed to found in the left ring finger. This contrasted with the right hand, which is traditionally used for oaths or vows, and well in the past it was the right hand that was used for wedding rings. The latin word for ‘left’ is ‘sinister’ and also in Latin the word for ‘right’ is ‘dexter’ – meaning ‘dexterity’, and so the left hand in those times gained a negative meaning.

The left ring finger is beleived to be the 'vein of love' for wedding rings

The real beginnings of wedding rings began in the desert where the Egyptian civilisation sprang up along the river banks of the Nile. The ring shape being circular, was a symbol of eternity for the Egyptians and the first wedding rings were fashioned from the reeds and rushes that grew along the Nile river banks. Again with the circle shape, or ring shape, it was worshipped as being the Sun and the Moon. The hole in the center also carried great meaning, it was not just an empty space, as it had the meaning of a doorway or entrance to events known or unknown.

The shape of the wedding ring captures eternity

The early Egyptians wooden rings, or those fashioned from the reeds on the Nile, soon wore out and it was then that started to use bone, ivory and then precious metals.

Early wedding rings were made from reeds, ivory and bone.

It was thought that in Irish folklore that it was bad luck (or even illegal..) to be married with a wedding ring made by anything except gold – and often a gold ring was provided for those that could not afford one – although this was reclaimed immediately after the ceremony ….. Today of course they are made of many different materials, and not just diamonds are used. Because of concern with ‘blood diamonds’, those diamonds from war-torn countries, some brides choose other stones instead.

Wedding Rings - a symbol of love