Why the term "Wedding"?
Although some brides were kidnaped,
marriage by purchase was the preferred method of obtaining a wife. The
"bride price" could be land, social status, political alliances,
or cash. The Anglo-Saxon word "wedd" meant the the groom would
vow to marry the women, but it also referred to the bride price (money
or barter) to be paid by the groom to the bride's father. The root of
the word "wedding" literally means to gamble or wager!
Why the Bridal Party?
Inviting women to be members of
your bridal party dates back to ancient times. One Roman custom was
to dress the bridesmaids in a fashion similar to the bride's to confuse
evil spirits trying to kidnap the bride. Bridesmaids also had the role
of fending off unsuitable suitors, leaving the bride for her groom.
Although the specific functions of being a bridesmaid have changed over
time, being the brides support system, confident, defender and friend
hasn't.
Another legend states that it
was once common for the bride, her groom and all their friends to walk
together to the church on the morning of the wedding. Afraid that someone,
maybe a rejected suitor, would spot the happy couple and put a curse
on them. The groom's friends wore clothes almost identical to his, and
the women costumed themselves like the bride. These disguises tricked
evil wishers into letting the real bride and groom live happily ever
after.
Today attendants are dressed alike
for the beauty and pageantry of the event.
Why the Best Man?
Among the Germanic Goths of northern
Europe in 200A.D., a man usually married a women from within his own
community. However, when there were fewer women, the prospective bridegroom
would capture his bride from a neighboring village. The bridegroom was
accompanied by his strongest friend (or best friend), who helped him
capture his bride.
White Wedding Dress
In 1499, Ann of Brittany popularized
the white wedding gown. Prior to that time, a women simply wore her
best dress or a new dress without regard to the basic color.
Something Old, New, Borrowed,
and Blue
The tradition of carrying one
or more items that are "old", "new", "borrowed"
and "blue" also comes from the English. There is an old English
rhyme describing the practice which also mentions a six pence in the
brides shoe. Something old, signifying continuity, could be a piece
of lace, jewelry or a grandmother's handkerchief. Something new signifying
optimism in the future, could be an article of clothing or the wedding
rings. Something borrowed, signifying future happiness, could be handkerchief
from a happily married relative or friend. Something blue, signifying
modesty, fidelity and love, comes from early Jewish history. In early
Biblical times, blue not white symbolized purity. Both the bride and
groom usually wore a band of blue material around the bottom of the
wedding attire, hence the tradition of "something blue". Originally
the six pence was presented to the bride by her future husband as a
token of this love.
Today, very often it is the bride's
father who places a coin in the brides shoe prior to leaving home for
the church.
Throwing the Rice
Rice has been used as a symbol
of fertility and as a wish for a "full pantry" in various
parts of the world from ancient to modern times. In the past rice was
not the only thing thrown at the bride and groom as they left the wedding.
Wheat, instead of rice was thrown in France, figs and dates were thrown
in North ern Africa, and a combination of coins, dried fruits, and candy
was thrown in Italy. In some European countries eggs are thrown!
Since rice is harmful to the birds
that eat it, birdseed has replaced it for most weddings. Flower petals,
confetti, and balloons are often used today instead of rice.
Bomboniere/Confetti
Traditionally, as bomboniere,
mesh bags filled with Jordon almonds were given to guests as a symbol
of the couple's bittersweet union. This was often instead of wedding
cake.
The number of almonds in each
bag is also very important. Even numbers are considered bad luck. so
bags of three or five almonds are a representation of the couple and
their future children. Five almonds symbolize love, fidelity, longevity,
fertility and happiness.
The Origin and Tradition of
the Wedding Cake
Although it is difficult to tell
the specific region that the wedding cake originated in, the early Romans
broke a cake made of salted meal over the bride's head as a symbol of
abundance. Various cultures customarily dropped wheat flour or cake
upon the bride's head, then ate these offerings for good luck. The early
Britons baked large baskets of small dry crackers for weddings and every
guest took one home. This later became known as the tradition of taking
the wedding cake home to "dream on". The tradition of a decorated
cake in the shape of an animal, a castle, or basket dates back to the
Middle Ages and was called a subtlety. Often coins or silver charms
were baked into the cake as prizes for the guests.
The Origin and Tradition of
the Garter Toss
The garter toss is one of the
oldest surviving wedding traditions. It was said that a man who gave
his lover the garter of a bride would be guaranteed faithfulness. Back
in medieval times, it was customary for friends, relatives, guests to
accompany the bridal couple to the marriage bed. As time went on, this
became rowdier and rowdier to the point that some guests were all too
eager to help the bride out of her wedding clothes. To forestall such
impropriety, the garters were quickly removed and thrown to the mob
as a distraction. As time went on, it has evolved into the tradition
we now know.
The origin of the Honeymoon
In Northern Europe in the earlier
centuries a newly married couple drank wine made of mead and honey,
known as, metheglen for a month after their marriage. A month was then
a "moon", and therefore the month during which the wine was
drunk became known as the honeymoon.
After "kidnaping" his
bride, the groom would take her and go into hiding. By the time the
brides family tracked them down, the bride would probably already be
pregnant! A "bride price" would then be negotiated.
