While the wedding tradition of tying tin cans to a car’s bumper isn’t all that common anymore, you may see it in movies – often accompanied by a “Just Married” sign. However, the origins of this tradition are a bit murky. 

Personalcreations.com dates this tradition to 3100-322 BC and the French custom of throwing a “charivari” for the soon-to-be newlyweds. During the charivari, which took place the night before the wedding, the couple’s neighbors walked the nearby streets banging pots and pans to scare away evil spirits, according to the site’s blog. This eventually became the modern version of tying cans to the car to make a similar loud noise.  

However, brides.com says that while the tradition also started from the charivari, in 18th century frontier America, it became a “shivaree.” According to the site, guests followed the newly married couple home after the celebration, albeit still banging pots and pans. The crowd would then continue the ruckus until the wee hours of the morning. This eventually was also adapted into tying cans to the couple’s car so the noise could follow them home.

Still others say the tradition dates to Tudor England, when the bride and groom departed the wedding and guests threw shoes at their carriage. It was considered good luck to hit the vehicle, according the mentalfloss.com. Today, we don’t want to damage anyone’s wheels, so guests (usually groomsmen) tie tin or aluminum cans to the bumper to make a similar banging noise. 

Interested in the history behind other wedding traditions? Check out our blogs on the symbolism behind wedding veils, cakes, rings and garters.