| Wedding FYI |
| 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 woman, and would also help in preventing the woman’s family from finding the couple. 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 "bridesmen" or "brideknights." 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 "brideswomen." |
Why Does the Bride Carry Flowers? For centuries, flowers have stood for a variety of emotions and values. Roses for love, lilies for virtue and so on. In ancient marriages, the brides carried herbs beneath their veils to symbolize fidelity. Greek brides carried ivy as a symbol of never-ending love. Orange blossoms, (the world renowned wedding flower) were chosen by the Spaniards to represent happiness and fulfillment, because the orange tree flowers and bears fruit at the same time. During even earlier times of "primitive marriage," when the fear of demons was most prevalent, the brides carried stinking garlands of herbs and spices for the purpose of frightening off evil spirits. Today, brides carry flowers in the color scheme of their wedding, bringing beauty and elegance as well as old world customs to their special day. Have you considered spelling out the name of your groom in the flowers of your bouquets? |
| Rev. Deborah A. Hoch Justice of the Peace/Clergy 508/472-6265 |
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| SONGS FOR MOM AND SON DANCE "A Wedding Day Wish for My Son" "A Song for My Son-by Mikki Viereck" "A Song for Mama-by Boyz II Men" "First Lady in My Life-by Paul Todd" "I Am Your Child-by Barry Manilow" "Mommy's Little Boy" |
| Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue Something old must be something that has belonged to a happily married woman to ensure the transfer of happiness. Something new is normally the gown or shoes. Something borrowed should be gold to ensure future wealth and fortune. Something blue, symbolizes modesty, fidelity, and love. |
| Wedding Toast It is said that this tradition first began in France where bread would be placed in the bottom of two drinking glasses for the newlyweds. They would then drink as fast as they could to be the first person to get to the toast. According to legend, the winner would rule their household! |
Bridal Shower
Back in the days 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
lore, 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. When she opened the parasol,
she was "showered" with presents!
Back in the days 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
lore, 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. When she opened the parasol,
she was "showered" with presents!
The Wedding Ring
The wedding ring has been worn on the
third finger of the left hand since Roman
times. The Romans believed that the vein in
that finger runs directly to the heart. The
wedding ring is a never-ending circle,
which symbolizes everlasting love.
CEREMONIES FOR BLENDED FAMILIES
Family Medallion
Family Sand Ceremony
Locket/Ring Gift Giving
Family Unity Candle
Family Vows
Family Rose
Family Medallion
Family Sand Ceremony
Locket/Ring Gift Giving
Family Unity Candle
Family Vows
Family Rose
THE SAND CEREMONY Legend has it that it probably began in Hawaii when couples would stand barefoot on the beach. At the right moment in the ceremony, they would reach down and take a handful of sand from beneath their feet and pour it into a single container. Like the Unity Candle, the Unity Sand Ceremony represents the unification of two distinct families, and the separate individuals of the bride and the groom, into a new, single, whole. Unlike the Unity Candle, the Unity Sands are used to symbolize an indivisible union because once merged, the separately colored grains of sand can never be separated. A constant reminder of your special day |
