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Show Wsai(Mug Customs New & Old The Blue Satin Garter Why this "Something Blue"? In ancient Israel, brides wore a blue ribbon to signify fidelity. The garter-throwing itself derives from a bawdy ritual called "flinging the stocking." In Britain the guests invaded the bridal chamber. The ushers grabbed the bride's stockings; the maids, the groom's. They took turns sitting at the foot of the bed flinging the stockings over the heads of the couple. Whosever stocking landed on the bride's or the groom's nose would be the next to wed. Now, before you get changed into your going-away clothes, your groom will remove your garter and you'll toss it -just after throwing your bouquet. The next bride is the friend who catches the couquet of course. And who's going to be the next groom? The lucky bachelor who catches the garter. The Wedding Cake Early Roman brides and grooms weren't legally wed until they ate together. A priest broke a flat wheat loaf over the bride's head. Then everyone shared the crumbs. Why? It's the old belief of passing luck and fertility back and forth between newlyweds and guests. Elizabethans piled up little cakes over which the bride and groom had to kiss without the stack falling. When it did, the guests pelted them with the cakes, then ate the pieces. The modern tiered wedding wed-ding cake came into existence when a very creative baker decided to ice the stack of cakes. Today the cake - and a drink - are the only two ingredients required to make a wedding reception a wedding reception. The Wedding Ring The circle shape symbolizes eternal love. But in ancient Egypt before coins were minted, gold rings were used as currency. To show he trusted his wife with his money, the Egyptian husband placed one of these rings on her finger. The ancients thought that love traveled to the heart in the vein of the third finger, left hand - just where you'll wear your ring. When you go shopping, do get a ring you'll both love - consider giving him one too. Over the Threshold Because ancient man stole his bride, he carried her over the threshold kicking and shouting. Strugging is still . a Greek threshold ritual, but no one remembers why. Now for everyone its another happy wedding custom - and it will give your life in your new home a bright start. Tossing Rice In the days when people lived off the land, their existence depended upon having a good harvest and enough children to help with all the work. Primitive people believed the bride and groom spread good luck on their wedding day. Anyone or anything that touched them would also be lucky. So they . showered the couple with ripe grain or nuts, wishing a large harvest for them- " selves - and a large family for the newlyweds. Wedding guests still throw rice - wheat, rose petals, confetti too. Surprise your guests with individual packets of birdseed as favors. They'll have fun throwing it. The birds and chipmunks will enjoy eating it! |
