Why Ushers Or Groomsmen?
Back in the days of "marriage by capture," a young man often brought
along some of his strong-armed friends to help fend off his ladylove's brothers.
These were the first ushers or groomsmen.
Why A Ringbearer?
This small attendant, usually a relative of the bride, is typically American and
unkown in Europe, although he is the successor of the English page boy who still
carries the bride's train in formal weddings at Westminster. Children,
especially youths, have always been considered propitious in the wedding party,
and in France they carried lighted tapers at the bride's side. Charles Frederick
Worth, who dressed most of the queens of Europe form his house in Paris, is said
to have originated the court train, suspended from the shoulders, for the
wedding gown. This gave the little train bearer a definite job to do. But alas,
court trains went out of fashion as skirts grew shorter, so the bride's little
nephew was given the wedding ring to carry.
Why A Bouquet?
Symbolizes life, growth, fertility. Herbs ward off evil spirits. Flowers with
different meanings are assembled into a bouquet.
Why Orange Blossoms?
There are cycles of favor for bridal flowers just as with other bridal fashions.
We had the era of rosemary, then myrtle, and more recently the orange blossom
has enjoyed a full century of popularity. Carried from Spain to France many
years ago, and then to America, the orange blossom tradition became so strong
that brides wore the flowerlets molded in wax when they couldn't get fresh
blossoms. The meaning is significant: the orange tree is one of the very few in
all nature that bears its flowers and its fruit at the same time-- a symbol of
the young and fruitful spouse. Because the tree from which orange blossoms come
is an evergreen, they are also thought to symbolize the everlasting nature of
the newlywed's love for eachother.
Why "Something Old-- Something New"?
Something Old: Continuity Something New: Optimism and Hope Something Borrowed:
Happiness shared from happily married couple Something Blue: Fidelity, Love and
Purity A Lucky Sixpence In Shoe: Ensure a life of fortune. The sixpence first
became known as a lucky coin when introduced by Edward VI of England in 1551 and
later became part of bridal wedding traditions in the Victorian era. Small bags
with a bit of bread and cloth and wood and coin to protect against shortages of
food, clothing, shelter and money. A lump of sugar to bring sweetness all the
married life.
Why A Coin In The Shoe?
Ancient custom to appease Diana, goddess of chastity and unmarried maidens, so
that the bride could lose her virginity and bear children.
Why The Groom Can't See The Bride On Their Wedding Day?
The bad luck omen of the groom seeing the bride on their wedding day is a
holdover from primitive seclusion rites, which stipulated that nobody should see
a betrothed girl before she has passed fully into womanhood.
Why The Wedding Kiss?
Part of the ceremony since Roman times when it was the only legal bond-- if one
of the engaged pair died before the wedding, the other could keep the gifts only
if then had already kissed. The wedding kiss is no longer a required part of the
wedding ceremony. The wedding kiss is a symbol of the newlywed's faith and love,
respect and obedience to mutual benefits. It grew out of the feudal practice of
kissing the lord's ring. Another story goes, the priest first kissed the groom
after the ceremony. Then the groom kissed the bride, the priest kissed his
assistants and his assistants kissed the guests. No longer is the tradition
carried this far, but now you know there is historic precedent for a bride-groom
kiss at the very last.
Why The Bride's Handkerchief?
Early farmers thought a bride's wedding tears were lucky and brought them rain
for their crops. Later on in history, a crying bride meant she would never shed
another tear about her marriage.
Why A Bachelor Dinner?
It dates back to the Spartan groom, who always invited his close friends to a
supper on the eve of his wedding to celebrate and reminisce about his past.
Traditionally, it was also held to raise money for the bridegroom so he would be
able to continue to drink with his buddies after his wife took control of the
finances. Mainly, however, it was a mourning for the passing of a man's bachelor
status.
Why A Rehearsal Dinner?
Parties were held on the wedding eve to chase away the evil spirits. The more
noise the better.
