Wedding Customs

Why do the groom and bride hold hands after the Chuppa ceremony?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

Yes, there is a widespread custom for the groom and bride to hold hands after the Chuppa ceremony on the way to the Yichud room. Some of the sources that support this practice include:

Sefer Haroke’ach, Hilchos Eirusin V'nissuin # 352

And when the bride enters to come in the gate of the house the groom goes to greet her and takes her hand and brings her to the top of the gate by the crossbeam.

Maharil, Hilchos Nissuin # 2

And the groom grasps her in his hand, and while they are together the whole crowd throws wheat kernels on their heads, saying "peru u'revu" three times.

Minhagim Vermaisa, Vol. II, Nissuin #231

And the groom grasps the bride in his hand.

Interestingly the the work “Edus L'Avraham Sherusa D’Tzelusa writes "the proper custom is arm-in-arm. Holding hands is for those too meek."

Hagaon Harav Fried Shalita says that only if a person has a specific custom to do so may do as mentioned. However, those who do not have the custom to hold hands, should not do so as it would be considered as "Perittsut" (an immodest behavior).