WEDDING
TRADITIONS
A compilation
June 2002
You must have seen several wedding ceremonies
and still remain clueless as to why they put the cords and the veils
on bride and groom, why the bride wears white, etc.
Let us help you out, this month of weddings, as we present to you
wedding traditions - their meanings and where they all started, (courtesy
of the following wedding sites: usabride.com, La Bomboniera.com, weddingguide.co.uk,
Weddingsatwork.com).
June as the Wedding Month
Even if most weddings happened on Decembers, an ancient Roman proverb
that goes "Prosperity to the man and happiness to the maid when married
in June," started the tradition of June weddings. Wedding Guide.co.uk
says that "the month of June was named after Juno, the Queen of the
gods and the goddess of women who was also seen as the protector of
married life."
Something Old, Something New…
"Something old, something
new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in your
shoe." This was an old bridal attire rhyme from way back Victorian
times. "Something old" represented the bride's family or her old life,
usually her mother's wedding dress or a piece of jewelry. "Something
new," on the other hand, symbolized good fortune and success in her
future, often something newly purchased for the wedding. "Something
borrowed," was an item borrowed from a happy bride on her wedding
day, such as a handkerchief, or another piece of jewelry. This was
said to bring good luck to the marriage. "Something blue" symbolized
purity and fidelity, the color usually used in garters. Finally, the
"Silver sixpence in your shoe" was a symbol of wealth.
Brides wearing white
Several meanings were put to this color: happiness, joy, purity and
wealth. USABride.com claims that "in ancient times, the traditional
color of bridal gowns was red or other bright colors." But, since
the wife of Napoleon III broke the tradition and wore white to her
wedding, other brides started wearing white gowns also to symbolize
their wealth.
Bride's Bouquet
Believe it or not, the bride was said
to have carried not just flowers as she marched down the isle, but
spices as well! This was to ward of evil spirits, and to bring fertility
to the bride, as she carried some herbs that symbolized fertility.
Bride and Groom's Attendants
Bridesmaids and groomsmen used to wear
clothes similar to that of the couple to confuse evil spirits from
recognizing the bride and groom. This was done to prevent any evil
spirits from casting spells on the couple.
Bride on Grooms Left Side
In the old times, the groom was said to hold his sword on his right,
just in case he had to protect his bride, so they kept the bride standing
on the left.
The Ring
The ring finger was worn on the 3rd finger of
the left hand because ancient Greeks believed that the "vena amoris"
(the vein of love that goes directly to the heart) was located there.
The Candle, Veil and Cord
In Filipino weddings, additional 3 pairs of wedding attendants are
usually needed to facilitate the candle, veil and cord ceremonies
during the mass. Candles on the side of both bride and groom are lit,
symbolizing God's presence within the union. Weddings at Work.com
explains the next in the ceremony -- "the veil sponsors will drape
and pin the veil (a long white tulle) on the groom's shoulder and
over the bride's head." This was said to symbolize "the union of two
people 'clothed' as one." Lastly, the loops of a cord (a silken rope,
a string of flowers, or links of coins) forming the figure 8 are draped
over the shoulders of both bride and groom, to represent the "infinite
bond of marriage." Weddings at Work further explains, "the veil and
cord ceremonies have the couple 'tied up together' while kneeling
during the nuptial mass."
Wedding Bells
Ringing Bells were
rang to ward off evil spirits that were meant to make the couple miserable.
Feeding Each Other Cake
The couple feeding each other with their slices
of cake stood for the way the bride and groom will "nourish" their
marriage for the rest of their lives.
Doves Sent to Fly
The couple sends white doves to fly, symbolizing a peaceful and harmonious marital
relationship.
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