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White
Wedding Dresses
In
1499, Ann of Brittany popularized the white wedding dresses.
Prior to that time, a woman simply wore her best wedding dresses
or a new wedding gowns without regard to the basic color. It
should be noted that a white wedding dresses are in no way indicative
of the "purity" of the bride-to-be. Indeed, white
is not accorded as a symbol of chastity, but of joy.
"Bad luck" for the groom to
see bride before the ceremony
Until relatively recently, brides were considered the property
of their father. Their futures and husbands were arranged without
their consent. The marriage of an unattractive woman was often
arranged with a prospective groom from another town without
either of them having ever seen their prospective spouse. In
more than one instance, when the groom saw his future wife,
usually dressed in white, for the first time on the day of the
wedding, he changed his mind and left the bride at the altar.
To prevent this from happening, it became "bad luck"
for the groom to see the bride on the day of the wedding prior
to the ceremony.
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The
Bridal Kiss
The kiss dates back to the earliest days of civilization in the
Middle East. A kiss was used as the formal seal to agreements,
contracts, etc. In Ancient Rome a kiss was still being used as
the legal bold to seal contracts. Hence the obvious use of the
custom at the end of the wedding ceremony to "seal"
the marriage vows.
Throwing 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 the left the wedding. Wheat, instead
of rice, was thrown in France, figs and dates were thrown in Northern
Africa, and a combination of coins, dried fruit, 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, baubles, and balloons
are often used today instead of rice. |
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The
groom carrying the bride over the threshold
Ttraditionally, the bride had to enter her new home the first
time through the front door. If she tripped or stumbled while
entering it was considered to be very bad luck. Hence the tradition
of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold.
Saturday weddings
In early times, for Christians, Sunday was the original day of
choice for weddings because it was not a work day. The Puritan
revolution in England during the 17th century changed all that
- because the Puritans thought it improper to be festive on the
Sabbath. Saturday is the most popular day for wedding now.
Veil
Brightly colored veils were worn in ancient times in many parts
of the world and were considered a protection against evil spirits
Greek and Roman brides for yellow or red veils (representing fire)
to ward off evil spirits and demons. At one time, Roman brides
were completely covered with a red veil for protection.
In early European history, with the advent of arranged marriages
veils served another purpose - to prevent the groom from seeing
the brides' face till after the ceremony was over. Brides began
to wear opaque yellow veils. Not only could the groom not see
in, the bride could not see out! Therefore, the father of the
bride had to escort her down the aisle and literally give the
bride to the groom.
Today, prior to a Jewish wedding ceremony, it is the groom who
ritually "veils the bride". This reason for this tradition
goes back to the marriage of Jacob to Leah (the older sister)
when he thought he was marrying Rachel (the younger sister) whom
he loved.
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The
toast
The term originates from the sixteenth century. At that time a
small piece of bread would be placed in a goblet of wine. The
goblet would be passed from guest to guest until it reached the
person being honored who would drain the goblet and eat the morsel
of bread in the bottom. This tradition is practiced at weddings
today - usually in the form of one or more champagne "toasts".
The best man has the honor of giving the first toast. Usually
the bride and groom remain seated for the toasts while all the
guests are usually standing to honor them. The couple may then
make a few remarks thanking their families, wedding party members,
and guests. They may also "toast" each other or share
a "toast" together. Often special glass or silver goblets
are used by the bride and groom.
Wedding Bands
It is unknown when wedding bands were first worn. They were probably
made of a strong metal such as iron. (One can easily guess the
portent of an omen if a wedding band broke.) As far back as the
ancient Romans, there was a belief that the vein in the third
finger ran directly to the heart, so the wearing of rings on that
finger joined the couple’s hearts and destinies.
Stag Parties
Ancient Spartan soldiers were the first to hold stag parties.
The groom would feast with his male friends on the night before
his wedding. In this event he would say good-bye to the carefree
days of bachelorhood and swear continued allegiance to his comrades.
Wedding Dresses.
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