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Honeymoons
and Weddings abroad traditions!
Although
the aforementioned events were common, marriage by purchase
was preferred. Quite often the bride was exchanged for land,
political alliance, social status and/or currency. Indeed,
the Anglo-Saxon word "wedd" meant the groom would
vow to marry the woman – and that the bartered goods
and/or currency would go directly to the bride’s father.
In short, a wedding seemed little more than the purchase of
a bride for breeding purposes. Not a particularly liberated
point of view. (Side note: the very word "wedding"
comes from the root term meaning "gamble" or "wager".)
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Wedding
and Honeymoon Special Rates
Each culture, religious, national, and ethnic group have their
own unique weddings traditions surrounding marriage and the wedding
ceremony. These wedding traditions are as diverse and varied as
mankind itself. The stories surrounding the origin of these traditions
are not only interesting but provide an insight into understanding
each group and the conditions present at the time.
Most of the wedding traditions common to the western world date
from the time of the Roman Empire and the European Middle Ages.
Most of these traditions were born from the civilization (or lack
there of), culture, and/or the political and economic requirements
of the times.
Most parts of the modern Christian weddings services have their
roots in the traditional Jewish weddings services.
Since most couples do not know how many of these traditions came
into being we include this brief overview of some of the traditions
associated with weddings in the western world.
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Bridal
Party
The bridal party has many origins, not the least of which are
the Anglo-Saxon days. When the groom was about to abduct his bride,
he needed the help of many friends, the "brides men"
or "bride knights." The "gentlemen" would
make sure the bride got to the ceremony on time and to the groom’s
house afterwards. The bride also had women to help her. These
were known as the "bridesmaids" or "brides women."
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Bridal
Showers
Bridal showers were meant to strengthen the ties between the bride
and her friends, provide her moral support, and help her prepare
for her marriage. Gift giving at showers dates from the 1890's.
At one shower, the bride’s friend placed small gifts inside
a parasol and opened it over the bride’s head so that the
presents would "shower" over her. When word of this
hit the fashion pages, people were so taken with the idea that
they decided to do the same at their showers. |
Best
Man
As marriages were historically accomplished by capture (the groom
would kidnap the woman), a warrior friend was often employed.
This Best Man would help the groom fight off other men who wanted
the captured bride, and would also help in preventing the brides
family from finding the couple.
Among the Germanic Goths of northern Europe in 200 A.D., a man
usually married a woman 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.
Bride on the left, Groom on the right
After the bridegroom captured his bride, he placed her on his
left to protect her, thus freeing his right hand or sword hand
against sudden attack, which is why the bride stands on the left,
and the groom on the right. |
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Wedding
Ring Finger
In 3rd. century Greece the wedding ring finger was the index
finger. In India it was the thumb. The western tradition began
with the Greeks who believed that the third finger was connected
directly to the heart by a route that was called "the vein
of love."
Engagement ring
In 860 A.D., Pope Nicholas I decreed that an engagement ring
become a required statement of nuptial intent. He insisted that
engagement ring had to be made of gold which signified a financial
sacrifice on the part of the prospective husband.
Wedding rings
Rings were used as currency in the Middle East prior to the
advent of coinage and were a sign of a persons wealth. In ancient
times the wedding rings were thought to protect the bride from
"evil spirits". Ancient Roman wedding rings were made
of iron.
In early Rome a gold band came to symbolize everlasting love
and commitment in marriage. Roman wedding rings were carved
with two clasped hands. Very early rings had a carved key through
which a woman was thought to be able to open her husband's heart.
Diamond Engagement Rings
These lavish gifts were given by medieval Italians in the belief
that the diamond was created in the Flames of Love. The diamond
engagment rings originated with King Maximillian who presented
Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring in 1477 as a token of his
love.
The Venetians popularized the diamond engagement rings custom
during the 15th. Century. Since the diamond was the hardest
and most enduring substance in nature it followed that the engagement
and marriage would endure forever.
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HONEYMOONS AND WEDDINGS ABROAD
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