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Show - ' From Dress to Rice Wedding Customs LYNDIA GRAHAM Review Correspondent Have you ever wondered how our most familiar bridal customs got started? Many of them have their roots in folk tales and ancient superstitions according to Marian McPeak, manager of the ..." ' Lakeside Review, Wednesday, March 28, 1984 - I 3 Not Brides far Only, Ancient Grooms Also Benefit From Gift Showers LYNDIA GRAHAM Review Correspondent Layton ZCMI Bridal Registry. She explained several of them from the then and now standpoint. ATTENDANTS ATTIRE It was once common for the bride, groom and all of their friends to walk to the church together. Afraid that someone (maybe a rejected suitor) would spot the happy couple and put a curse on them, the grooms friends wore clothes almost identical to his while the brides at- tendants dressed themselves much like the bride. This was took a bride he carried an unthese rings on her finger. The third finger on the left supposed to guarantee that the willing woman off to a secret evil tricksters were deceived and place so they couldnt be found, hand has become the place to the bride and groom would live for about 30 days while the wear this symbol of eternal love moon went through it's lunar because it was anciently thought happily ever after. Mrs. McPeak said that today phase. that love traveled to the heart in the bride may want to vary the time a the drank the vein of the third finger. During they look somewhat, choosing a more brew made with honey while THE BLUE SATIN GARTER formal look for herself and hiding from the searchers, hence In ancient Israel brides wore something a bit more casual for the name honeymoon, said Mrs. blue to signify fidelity. The cusbridesmaids. the McPeak. TOSSING RICE She added that today a good tom of garter throwing itself comes from England. In the days when people lived travel agent can make the whole Mrs. McPeak said that it seems off the land, their existance de- honeymoon a whole lot easier the hara guests invaded the bridal on all concerned! for good having pended with the women grab-in- g chamber vest and enough children to help OVER THE THRESHOLD the grooms stockings and the with the work. Because ancient man stole his They believed that the bride bride, he carried her over the men the brides stockings. They and groom spread good luck on threshold struggling, kicking and then took turns sitting at the their wedding day and anything shouting. Now its just another foot of the bed, flinging the stockings over their heads. Whos or anyone who touched them happy custom. ever stocking landed on the nose AND would be lucky. BOUQUETS of the bride or groom was the So they showered the couple BOUTONNIERES with ripe grain or nuts, wishing Early brides bouquets were next to wed. Today the bride often throws themselves for a large harvest made from pungent herbs not and a large family for the newly- flowers, said Mrs. McPeak. The her garter and the man who weds. smell was supposed to scare off catches it is next to wed. The rose petThrowing rice, wheat, any bad fairies eyeing the bridal lucky young lady who catches als and confetti is still popular party. Even the groom wore a the bridal bouquet is the next but check with your reception few sprigs. This is one tradition bride according to tradition. hall for its rules. You might that has really improved over THE BRIDES want to surprise your guests with the years. Today fresh flowers or HANDKERCHIEF small packets of birdseed, sug- beautiful silk arrangements comEarly farmers thought bride gested Mrs. McPeak. Theyll pliment the wedding party. wedding day tears were lucky THE WEDDING CAKE have fun throwing it and the and brought rain for their crops. birds will have a wedding treat Early Roman couples werent Another tradition says that a considered legally married until too. crying bride will never again THE HONEYMOON they had eaten together. A priest have to shed tears for her marMrs. McPeak said that it is be- broke a flat wheat loaf over the riage. lieved the first marriages in brides head and everyone McPeak suggested Mrs. some cultures were by capture, shared the crumbs believing that starting your own tradition by not by choice. When a man it passed good luck and fertility embroidering your name and back and forth between the date on a handkerchief to be guests. on to the next woman in Elizabethans piled up little passed your family to marry. cakes over which the bride and THE BRIDAL SHOWERgroom had to kiss without the Back when marriages were arcakes falling. If the cakes fell the with Wm.A.'l guests pelted the couple ranged and the price a groom yfc them and then ate the pieces. paid for his bride and the brides The modem wedding cake was dowry sometimes love was not the result of a creative baker considered an important issue. who decided to ice the stack of But it seems that a poor Dutch miller fell in love and the girls caceS father forbade the match and THE WEDDING RING In ancient Egypt before coins would not provide a dowry. The were minted gold rings were millers friends came to his resused as currency;- - To show he cue and showered the bride with trusted his wife with his money enough gifts, to set up house-- . ' ah Egyptian man gave her one of f i t i ular with them as a good size piece of cake or a hearty dessert It has always been tradition to of some sort. shower the bride-to-b- e with a Likewise, the groom may find round of parties and gifts to help it a bit difficult to get excited her set up house. over heart shaped hand soaps But, except for an occassional for the guest bath or lace bachelor party, the groom is of- trimmed place mats. But gifts of ten overlooked. a practical nature will surely be Locally, a new idea is being appreciated. Food and grocery used more and more, one that showers are always popular. will let the groom share in the Following are some gift ideas festivities and enjoy a little of that several local bridegrooms-to-b- e the limelight. Since this special have appreciated: screwtime is as important to him as it drivers, hammers and other is his intended bride, it seems handy-ma- n tools, garden tools, only appropriate that he too be hoses, light globes, flashlights, all showered with a little attention. sizes of batteries, extension If a few gifts are thrown in, all cords, buckets and pails, alarm the better. clocks, toilet plungers, window Often a party for the couple is squeegies, bathroom scales, planned and couples are invited. waste paper baskets, outdoor Married brothers and sisters and garbage cans and trash bags, spouses, uncles and aunts, shower caddy, mouse traps, elecgrandparents and other close trical tape, masking tape, shoe friends of the family may be on polish and brushes, weather the guest list. thermometers, a step ladder, A party of this type is usually outdoor brooms or even a bag of informal and it makes an excelrags. lent time for members of both Anything that could be used to families to become better ac- set up house from a strictly pracquainted before the wedding. Its tical standpoint would be really a perfect time to pull out all of appropriate. those embarrassing childhood photos and silly stories that mean so much to parents. A Discover.... Ogden's One-Sto- p game or two is also appropriate but do allow a lot Wedding Shop of time for visiting. UNIVERSAL Buffet style refreshments seem PARTY & DISPLAY $ to work well, but keep in mind 3770 Kiesel Avenue ) that men arent accustomed to ' 393-535- 3 these parties as are women and 7 Mon. Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. spinach surprise with thumb size muffins may not be as pop f t I i Y'Y Y yYTYYYYY -- cMay Rgse -- fYTH'y 6ddings 4 Elegant Weddings Made Affordable 4 4 INVITATIONS He DECORATING He H SERVING He CAKES He VIDEO RECORDINGS He CAKE TOPS He' ACCESSORIES He APRONS CATERING He He MUSIC 4 TUXEDOS 4 CUSTOM VEILS Dridal Dresses FOR SALE OR RENT HOURS: 1- -6 p.m. 47 EAST 500 SOUTH 1 ' , , f ' H- . '' e I . t ..f mmmu ) PH: 298-325- 4 BOUNTIFUL, UTAH , |
