Wedding Traditions
Wedding Traditions ~ A Wedding Prayer ~Wedding Quotes ~ Language of Flowers
The information on this page is from my wedding program. I wanted it to be something
my guests would read and have to remember our special day so I included more then
just the traditional information. Please feel free to use this information on your own
program. If you do, I would love to hear from you. If you have a tradition or quote to add to
this page, please e-mail it to me.
Wedding Traditions
Something old, Something new; Something borrowed, Something blue,
Add a silver sixpence in your shoe
| That a bride is passing from her old to her new life and should wear something that represents both is the idea behind this saying. Something old represents continuity and something new represents optimism for the future. Something borrowed, especially a veil, is considered to bring fortune and luck. Something blue represent purity, fidelity, love and constancy. The silver sixpence in your shoe is to bring you prosperity. |
When to Marry?
Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man.
Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see
Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last. |
Why do we exchange rings?
| Long thought to have a vein going directly to the heart, the third finger of the left hand has been universally adopted throughout the ages as the ideal place for the wedding ring. The actual origin of the ring itself is thought to have originated in ancient Egypt. Initially made of hemp or vine the ring could be replaced whenever it wore out. The Romans later adopted the custom and set the standard for today's tradition. Iron was used at first to symbolize the strength of the couples bond. In the fifteenth century, the British elevated the symbol by replacing iron with gold. It's lasting qualities of strength, beauty and purity have resulted in a custom that has remained unchanged for centuries. |
What Kind of Bride?
A January bride will be a prudent housekeeper, and very good tempered.
A February bride will be an affectionate wife, And a tender mother.
A March bride will be a frivolous catterbox, Somewhat given to quarreling.
An April bride will be inconsistent, or forceful, But well-meaning.
A May bride will be handsome, agreeable, And practical.
A June bride will be impetuous, And generous.
A July bride will be handsome, But a trifle quick-tempered.
An August bride will be agreeable, And practical as well.
A September bride will be discreet, affable, And much liked.
An October bride will be pretty, coquettish, Loving but jealous.
A November bride will be liberal and kind, But sometimes cold.
A December bride will be fond of novelty, Entertaining but extravagant. |
Shoes
| Shoes have traditionally symbolized authority. In earlier days in Britain, it was customary for the bride's father to present one of the bride's shoes to the groom to signify the transfer of authority over the bride from father to groom. The groom would then lightly tap the bride on the head with the show to impress upon her his new authority and position. (Dev and I did *not* follow this custom.) |
The Wedding Garter
| The wedding garter is a tradition that dates back to the 17th and 18 centuries. In those days, the garter was a silk sash tied well below the bride's knee. During the celebration, it was considered a trophy for the groomsman who was able to capture the garter from the bride; he would then wear it in his hat for the remainder of the celebration. (We had the groom remove the garter, but the winner of the toss was welcome to wear it in his hat if he wished.) |
Tossing the Bridal Bouquet
| The tradition of the bouquet toss stems from early days in England when the bride was considered to transmit good fortune. Guests would fight for bits of the bride's clothes, flowers or headpiece to share in the good fortune. Out of self-defense, the bride began to throw her bouquet. |
Throwing Grains at the Newlyweds
| It has been traditional to shower a couple with (uncooked!) rice as the leave the chapel. Rice is intended to be a symbol of good luck, fertility, and prosperity. It was also part of the superstition that throwing rice would distract the attention of evil spirits away from the bridal couple. Hopefully the evil spirits are just as distracted by the bubbles and birdseed common today. |
Honeymoon
| In ancient times, dating was not the best way to win a wife. In fact the most practical way to gain a bride was simply by carrying one off. Fortified with a brew made of "honey" a groom was entitled to keep his bride if he managed to prevent her escaping for an entire "moon" or lunar cycle. By forcing her to drink the honey ale it was hoped that she could remain docile during her captivity. Over time the combination of the two words join to become honeymoon. |
Wedding Prayer
(This was originally a hymn.)
O Father, all creating,
Whose wisdom, love, and power
First bound two lives together
In Eden's primal hour,
Today to these Thy children
Thine earliest gifts renew,
A home by Thee made happy,
A love by Thee kept true.
O Savior, Guest most bounteous
Of old in Galilee,
Vouchsafe today Thy presence
With these who call on Thee;
Their store of early gladness
Transform to heavenly wine,
And teach them, in the tasting,
To know the gift is Thine.
|
O Spirit of the Father,
Breath on them from above,
So might in Thy pureness,
So tender in Thy love;
That, guarded by Thy presence,
From sin and strife kept free,
Their lives may own Thy guidance,
Their hearts be ruled by Thee.
Except Thou build it Father,
The house is built in vain;
Except Thou, Savior, bless it,
The joy will turn to pain;
But naught can break the union
Of hearts in Thee made one;
And love Thy Spirit hallows
Is endless love begun.
~John Ellerton |
Wedding Quotes
It is not the lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes an unhappy marriage.
~Friedrich Nietzsche
When you make the sacrifice in marriage, you're sacrificing not to each other,
but to unity in a relationship.
~Joseph Campell
Keep your eyes wide open before marriage,
and half shut afterwards.
~Benjamin Franklin
Where ever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me.
"What would I do?" I said to Pooh,
"If it wasn't for you." And Pooh said:
"True, It isn't much fun for One,
but Two can stick together."
~A.A. Milne
|
Love does not consist in gazing at each other,
but in looking outward together in the same direction.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
|
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