Decorating vehicles for weddings is not new, although the fancy bows and streamers and ‘Just Married’ signs are newer. After the wedding we usually see the happy couple driving away with the noise from the cans dragging on the ground, or shoes tied to the bumper. Where did this come from?
The decorating of the car is generally done by the groom’s male friends — men who effectively have lost their chances with the bride who’s being whisked away.
Tin cans are meant to chase away evil spirits. Tying shoes to the car comes from an Irish ritual. Way back when, a bride would give the groom one of her slippers. This symbolizes the fact that he would take care of her now and not her father.
And now when you hear tin cans and see shoes tied to the bumpers of newly weds cars you will be able to share your new-found knowledge with others.