The
word "Wedding" originates from the Anglo-Saxon word "wedd"
which meant a man would marry a woman and pay her father. Many of today's
wedding traditions can be traced back to ancient customs based on symbolism, superstition,
folklore, religion, and the belief in evil spirits.
Some
marriages were carried out by the Groom and his Brides men or Brides knights,
who would kidnap a woman, the origin of "carrying a Bride over the
threshold." The Groom and those with him would then fight off the female's
family with swords held in their right hand while the Groom held the captured
Bride in his left hand. Thus the reason a "Bride stands on the left side
of the Groom" at a wedding. After
he had successfully captured her, the Groom
would hide his new Bride for one month to consummate their marriage. The word
"honeymoon" was used to describe this one month cycle of the moon
when they would drink mead, a honey sweetened alcoholic drink, which affects
the acidity of the womb, thus increasing fertility.
Bouquet
Originally, wedding bouquets were made
of strong herbs, such as thyme and garlic, to frighten away evil spirits, and to
cover the stench of people who had not bathed.
Bouquet
Toss
It was believed in ancient times that a Bride was
especially lucky on her wedding day. Guests would tear at her dress for a piece
of good luck to take home. The tossing of the bouquet grew from the Bride's
desire to offer a good luck souvenir, and prevent guests from bothering her
during her reception.
Bridesmaids
Early Brides and Bridesmaids wore similar dresses
to confuse evil spirits.
Bridal
Shower
At a time when weddings were arranged by family
members, a poor Dutchman fell in love with a girl whose father refused her a
dowry. Their friends showered her with enough gifts to help them start a household.
According to another tale, the first "Bridal Shower" occurred at the
end of the 19th century. At a party, the Bride's friends placed small gifts
inside a parasol and opened it over the Bride's head, "showering" her
with presents!
Bridal
Veil
During the time when marriages were arranged by
family members, the newlyweds were rarely allowed to see one another. Family
members exchanging a dowry were afraid that if the Groom didn't like the
Bride's face, he might refuse to marry her. This is why the Father of the Bride
"gave the Bride away" to the Groom at the wedding ceremony. Only after
lifting her veil just before the ceremony did the Groom see the Bride's face
for the first time.
Carrying
The Bride Over The Threshold
When a Groom used to steal his Bride, he was forced
to carry her kicking and screaming. This act of thievery has evolved into a
gesture of welcoming the Bride into her new home.
Garter
Originally brides tossed a garter, rather than a
bouquet, at the wedding reception. In the 14th century, this custom changed
after Brides tired of fighting off drunken men who tried to remove the garter
themselves. The garter toss in England may have evolved from an earlier
tradition of "flinging the stocking". Guests would follow the Bride
and Groom to their bedroom, wait until they undressed, steal their stockings,
and then "fling" them at the couple. The first person to hit the
Bride or Groom on the head would be the next to wed.
Money
Dance
When arranged marriages were common, the Groom
collected a dowry only after his marriage was consummated. The money dance
insured that the couple would have some money before they left their wedding
reception. In another tradition, the people of the village gave gifts of
pottery, livestock, and garden plants to the newlyweds because the Bride and
Groom had no money to acquire these things until they had children, then a
dowry was exchanged.
Penny
In Shoe
This is a European tradition to bring the Bride
good luck, fortune, and protection against want. The lucky penny can later be
turned into a piece of jewelry.
Ring
Finger
Before the 5th century, the ring finger was the
index finger. Later, it was believed that the third finger contained the
"vein of love" that led directly to the heart.
Shoes
On Vehicle
Ancient Romans transferred to the Groom his
authority over his Bride when her Father gave the Groom her shoes. In later
years, guests threw their own shoes at the newlyweds to signify this transfer
of authority. This tradition is kept alive today by tying old shoes to the back
of the newlywed's vehicle before they leave their wedding reception.
Something
Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
This tradition originated in Europe to ward off
evil spirits. Something Old: Symbolized the sense of continuity while making
the transition from a single person to that of a married couple. Something New:
Symbolized that marriage represented a transition to adulthood. Something
Borrowed: Symbolized the belief that by borrowing something from a happily
married couple, good fortune would follow the newlyweds. Something Blue: In ancient
Israel, blue was the border color of the Bride's dress symbolizing purity,
constancy and fidelity.
Stag
Parties
Roman Empire soldiers would feast with the Groom
the night before his wedding to say goodbye to his bachelorhood and to renew
their friendships.
Tossing
Rice
Thinking newlyweds brought good luck guests
showered them with nuts and grains to insure a bountiful harvest and many
children. During years of a poor harvest, rice was tossed instead.
Tuxedo
Until President Teddy Roosevelt popularized the
tuxedo, the Groom simply wore his best on his wedding day.
Tying
The Knot
In the days of the Roman empire, the Bride wore a
girdle that was tied in knots. The Groom untied the knots prior to the
consummation of their marriage.
Wedding
Cake
During the Roman Empire, wedding cakes were baked
of wheat or barley. At the reception, they were broken over the head of the new
Bride by the Groom as a symbol of her fertility. Guests would then scramble for
pieces of the cake to take home for good luck. Later it became a tradition to
place many small cakes on top of each other as high as possible. The newlyweds
would then try to kiss over the top of the cakes without knocking them down.
During the reign of King Charles II of England, a baker added icing, and today's
style of wedding cake was created.
Wedding
Ring
The first recorded wedding rings date back to when
early man tied plaited circlets around the Bride's wrists and ankles to keep
her spirit from running away. Egyptians coined the phrase "without
beginning, without end" to describe the meaning of the wedding ring. The
Romans used iron, but gold is now used as a symbol of all that is pure. Italians
first used diamonds. They believed that it was created from the flames of love
Wedding
Toast
In France, bread would be placed at the bottom of
two drinking glasses. The Bride and Groom would then drink as fast as they
could to be the first to get to the toast. The winner would rule their
household.
White
Wedding Dress
It was made popular to wear a white wedding dress in
the 1840's by Queen Victoria. Before this, Brides simply wore their best dress.
Hope you enjoyed!
Gwyn Brodie
Follow Me:
www.facebook.com/gwynbrodie
www.twitter.com/@gwynbrodie
After her clan's castle falls under siege, the fair-haired
Lady Jillian MacRae finds a way to escape with her four-year-old brother, seeking
help from the handsome Kade MacLachlan, laird and master of Ravenskull Castle. Four
years past their love had been strong—until her father betrothed her to another
man who was later killed. Now, it is Kade she turns to for help in regaining
control of her own castle from the wicked man who has taken over and intends to
marry her. Once she is again face-to-face
with Kade, she realizes the love she thought she'd put aside is alive and
thriving.
Kade is speechless when the beautiful Jillian offers
herself to him in exchange for protecting her young brother and banishing the
intruders from her castle—an offer he is more than willing to accept. He has no
intention of allowing her to slip through his fingers again. And when her life
hangs in the balance, he will not let anything—or anyone—stop him from saving
her, even as his own life dangles by a thread.
