Officiant Vespasia Pollia reads the vows as the couple stands with their hands bound with a leather cord, a bit of wedding ritual that is common to many historical cultures. The tradition of wearing a bridal veil goes back to ancient Roman times, when brides wore the "flammeum" or flame-colored veil to symbolize protection from evil spirits. The bride was supposed to have woven her plain white dress herself, as proof that she was a good and industrious wife, but even in Roman times girls rebelled at this.