Meaningful Wedding Customs and Traditions
We have all heard the old saying “Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”, but did you know that each part of the old custom has a special meaning? Something old is usually a family heirloom like wedding jewelry and it indicates that even as the bride begins a new phase in her life, her bonds with family and friends will remain important. Something new obviously refers to the new life which the bride and groom start when they get married.
Many people do not realize that the something borrowed should be lent to the bride by a happily married woman, all the better to “borrow” some of her good fortune in marriage. It could be a veil borrowed from a sister, a piece of Grandma’s wedding jewelry, or perhaps an aunt’s special rosary to carry with the bouquet. The something blue is often one of the most fun things to come up with. Blue has stood for fidelity since Biblical times, so its significance for a wedding is clear. The touch of blue often comes in the form of blue crystals in the wedding jewelry, a blue garter, blue sash on the bridal gown, or even blue shoes.
Another meaningful custom is the ringing of church bells at the end of the marriage ceremony. In ancient times it was believed that evil spirits were drawn to brides, so many steps were taken to ward them off. Ringing the church bells is not only a joyous way to mark the conclusion of the ceremony, but was believed to protect the bride from the evil spirits. By the way, this is the same reason for making noisy by tying tin cans to the back of the newlyweds’ car, ringing small hand bells, and any other wedding custom that involves making a lot of joyful noise. We may not believe the reason behind the customs anymore, but they are still fun to include in a wedding.
At the conclusion of the marriage ceremony, the officiant will usually invite the newlyweds to kiss. Did you know that the words “You may now kiss your bride” are about more than love and romance? Dating back to Roman times, a kiss was considered a seal that cemented a deal, much like in later times business deals could be sealed with a handshake. This is the origin of the kiss at the altar; not only do the bride and groom get the joy of sharing their first kiss as husband and wife, but they are officially sealing the deal. So be sure to pucker up at your wedding!
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: something blue, something borrowed, something new, something old, wedding customs, Wedding Jewelry, wedding traditions | Comment (0)Wedding Rules Meant to be Broken
Weddings are laden with customs and traditions, many of which are quite meaningful and special. That does not mean, however, that every bride is obligated to follow each and every rule about the customary or “right” way to do things. These are some wedding rules which you can feel free to break with abandon…
The White Wedding Gown. For the record: wearing a non-white wedding gown does not mean that the bride is not “pure”, any more than wearing a white gown is proof that she is (which frankly, most brides and grooms aren’t). If the bride is a traditionalist, then by all means, a white bridal gown would be lovely, but every bride should have the right to wear the wedding dress that makes her feel the most fabulous – no matter what color it is!
Father Of The Bride Pays For The Wedding. Fathers of the bride, you can breathe a sigh of relief! While it was a long held custom that the father of the bride was responsible for virtually all of the wedding costs (excluding the bridal bouquet, wedding rings, rehearsal dinner, and honeymoon), these days, expenses tend to get spread around more equitably. Many couples contribute to the wedding costs or pay for the entire event themselves, especially if they are older with established careers. The family of the groom is also likely to become more involved than in the past, perhaps picking up the tab for the florist, the photographer, or the band. The wedding costs should be divided up based on willingness and ability to pay, not on the old custom.
No Sparkle Before Sundown. Once upon a time, it was considered “vulgar” for a lady to wear sparkly jewelry like diamonds or crystals during daytime hours. That old rule is completely outdated (no matter what your grandmother may tell you!), and brides today can indulge in Swarovski crystal earrings, necklaces, and bracelets at any time of the day. It is still true, however, that daytime jewelry tends to be a bit more modest than evening jewelry, so for an 11am wedding, you would select a more dainty pair of Swarovski crystal earrings than the big chandeliers that would be spectacular for a 4pm or 6pm wedding.
Filed under Wedding Planning, crystal bridal jewelry | Tags: non-traditional weddings, Swarovski crystal earrings, wedding customs, wedding traditions | Comment (0)Wedding Traditions: Keep or Discard?
Weddings are rich with tradition. In fact, many of the customs which a bride and groom may include in their own wedding are there because it “is the way things have always been done”, rather than because they specifically want those elements as part of their special day. Take a look at this look into some of the most common wedding traditions, as we answer the question: should they be kept or discarded?
White Wedding Gowns. It was Queen Victoria who started the craze for white bridal gowns. The white wedding gown has since taken on many connotations, especially as a symbol of the purity of the bride. There is a trend these days moving away from white (or ivory) gowns in favor of wedding dresses with either a little color or made entirely in a color like red. So as to the question of whether this tradition should be kept or discarded, the answer is to wear a traditional white wedding gown with classic pearl wedding jewelry only if you really want to. If you want to wear a red dress for your wedding day, by all means do it!
Bridesmaids. Did you know that the original purpose of bridesmaids was to dress in clothing similar to that of the bride’s to confuse the evil spirits who were believed to be drawn to brides? And bridesmaids today think they have it bad; at least all they have to ward off is unwanted advances from drunken groomsmen! Today the custom of having a bridal party has evolved into choosing to spend your wedding surrounded by your best girlfriends for support and to make the wedding planning process more fun along the way. Who doesn’t want her best friends around on one of the most exciting days of her life? Bridesmaids are a definite tradition to keep. Abuse of bridesmaids, however, is something that is definitely out, so remember to treat them like your friends, not your personal servants.
Garter Toss. The garter toss started out because of an old superstition that said grabbing a piece of the bride’s clothing would bring some of her good fortune to the bearer. After a while, brides tired of having their gowns ripped apart by their guests, and started tossing their garters to the crowd instead. These days, however, the garter toss has turned into nothing more than a tacky moment in what should be an elegant day. The point is no longer about catching the garter for luck, but rather in seeing how far the groom can push the borders of good taste. For that reason, the garter toss belongs on the scrap heap of wedding traditions!
So, what other traditions do you think are worthy of keeping or ditching? The dollar dance, the rehearsal dinner, or maybe the traditional marriage vows? Let the debating begin!
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning, pearl bridal jewelry | Tags: pearl wedding jewelry, wedding customs, wedding traditions | Comment (0)Do You Have to Include Every Wedding Tradition?
Weddings are tradition-laden occasions, of this there can be no doubt. It seems like so many of the customs are included in a wedding merely because they are traditional, long after the original meaning has been lost. To some modern couples, this may not seem like enough of a reason to do things in a certain way. These are some of the wedding customs that can easily be skipped, as well as those not to be missed.
Some parts of the wedding have very strong and clear symbolism, and should definitely be included. The biggest examples would be the exchange of vows and the wedding bands. This does not mean that these have to be handled in any particular way, however. Many couples forgo the traditional vows (especially the “obey” part) and write their own vows. Certainly, you can choose any sort of wedding bands that appeal to you, from the classic plain gold band to one-of-a-kind pieces handcrafted by a local artisan. Most men these days do also receive wedding bands in the ceremony, even if they decide not to wear one on a daily basis due to their work or simply personal preference.
A common complaint about weddings is the enormous expense for just one day. While having an affordable wedding is certainly reasonable, there are some customs that cannot be shed just to trim the budget. One of these is giving bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts. If you choose to have a wedding party, giving bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts to thank them for their participation is mandatory, and is really nothing compared to the expense it costs to be in a wedding (attire, travel, gifts, parties, etc.). however, if the bride and groom both agree, it is acceptable for them to leave out the custom of giving one another a gift on the morning of the wedding.
There are lots of things that are done at nearly every wedding that are fine to omit from yours. Do you have to have a cake cutting ceremony? No; in fact, you do not even have to have a traditional wedding cake. If the cake cutting moment does not appeal to you, feel free to substitute a dessert bar, cupcakes, or even fresh fruit pies for the grand cake. Although many brides and grooms seem to relish the spotlight, a shy pair of newlyweds may certainly decide to skip the first dance and open the floor up to general dancing immediately. Certainly don’t give a second thought to the traditional bouquet toss if you think it is ditzy, and by all means, skip the tacky garter toss. Your wedding is a special day to celebrate your love, and by all means, make it your own.
Filed under Bridesmaid Gifts, Uncategorized, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Gifts, groomsmen gifts, wedding customs, Wedding Planning, wedding traditions | Comment (0)Traditions to Include in Your Wedding
A wedding is a wonderful time to pay tribute to your family, its customs, and your heritage. It can also be a terrific opportunity to learn more about the groom’s family and the traditions that are important to them. One very meaningful way to honor these customs is to include them in your wedding ceremony or reception. Here are some of the most special traditions to include in your wedding.
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Wear something of your mother’s on your wedding day. This is a lovely way to signify the bond between generations and to symbolize that even as you join a new family, you will still keep your own family near and dear. It could be your mother’s bridal gown or veil. You could wear a piece of her wedding jewelry. This is a favorite idea for bride’s, as jewelry is an important symbolic part of a wedding; in addition, you can easily update a classic piece of jewelry like a pearl necklace by mixing it with something more contemporary, such as pearl and crystal drop earrings.
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Use a family cake topper. Forget about the modern and trendy cake toppers. Wouldn’t it be so much sweeter to use the little bride and groom that graced the top of your parents’ or grandparents’ cake? Chances are that they still have it, and would be honored to share it with you if you ask.
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Serve the festive foods that are customary in your culture. Whether your parents are first generation Americans or your family has lived in the U.S since it was the Thirteen Colonies, chances are you have a rich cultural heritage on which to draw. A wedding reception can be made much more personal and interesting by the addition of the food and drinks that are normally served in Russia, Italy, Mexico, or wherever else your ancestors may hail from. Food can also be a great vehicle for combining different cultural traditions on the bride and groom’s sides of the family. A buffet or serving stations can present a selection of favorites from each family’s background.
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Carry a replica bouquet. This is a particularly nice tradition that can be used to honor a beloved grandmother who has passed away, although it is also a lovely way to honor a living relative. Share the origins of your bouquet by telling the story of its history in your wedding program.
The little details that you choose to include from your families will go a long way towards making your wedding more special and memorable. Not only will they make the day better for the bride and groom, but including family customs will also make your wedding a wonderful experience for the rest of your family, as well.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning, crystal bridal jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry | Tags: Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning, wedding traditions | Comment (0)Chinese Wedding Customs
Chinese weddings are rich with traditions, symbolism, and rituals. If you have Chinese heritage or are marrying a person who does, it would be wonderful to incorporate some Chinese wedding customs into your own special day. These are some tips on how to plan a beautiful East meets West wedding.
Red is the lucky color for Chinese brides and grooms, and this is a great place to begin with your East meets West celebration. Chinese brides will traditionally wear gorgeous red silk cheongsams for their weddings. Many Chinese-American brides will choose to wear the cheongsam during the ceremony, and then change to a classic white wedding gown and bridal jewelry for the reception (or vice versa).
You can pay tribute to your Chinese heritage in the flowers that you use for the bouquets and centerpieces as well. Some of the favored flowers for Chinese brides are peonies, orchids, and lotus blossoms. The combination of plum blossoms and butterflies stands for long life, and these symbols would make a lovely addition to your centerpieces. A beautiful silk butterfly perched on a plum blossom would make a wonderful surprise accent in your floral displays.
Speaking of symbolism, it is very important in Chinese rites of passage. The double happiness symbol is one that is perfect to use in a wedding. You can set the tone with a rich red double happiness sign embossed on your invitations. The symbol can also be used to decorate the wedding cake, on the favor boxes, as well as on the programs, menus, and placecards.
There are many other wonderful Chinese wedding traditions to think about using in your wedding. They range from décor like paper lanterns to photos in memory of ancestors to exciting performances involving firecrackers, drums, or lion dancers. Whether you decide to have an authentic Chinese wedding, or just to incorporate a few of the customs, it will be sure to make your wedding day more meaningful and memorable.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridal Jewelry, Chinese wedding customs, wedding attire, wedding traditions | Comment (0)Quaker Wedding Customs
A Quaker marriage ceremony is very, very different than most American weddings. There is no fanfare, and in fact, the ceremony is similar to a regular Meeting of the Friends. One of the things that will seem very unfamiliar to a non-Quaker guest is the amount of silence that is part of the Meeting.
The bride and groom will sit at the front of the Meeting house until they feel moved to stand and exchange their promises to one another. The length of the silent period can be as long as one hour, which is intended to be a time for quiet reflection and prayer. This is quite typical for a Quaker service, but might be very awkward for anyone used to the music, readings, and rituals that are part of most other religious ceremonies.
Following the exchange of “promises” or “declarations” (the Quakers do not call them “vows”), the bride and groom will sign the Quaker Wedding Certificate, which is one of the most important parts of the ceremony. The Wedding Certificate is usually very beautifully made, with calligraphy and elaborate illustrations. At the end of the Meeting, all of the assembled guests will sign the Certificate, and the newlyweds will hang it in their home as a reminder of the declarations that they made.
It is interesting to note that although still known for their beautiful simplicity, some Quaker couples are including some elements of the standard American wedding in their marriage ceremony. Though it is not part of the Quaker tradition, some brides today are choosing to wear a white dress and wedding jewelry, and to walk down the aisle to meet her groom. In addition, some Quaker brides and grooms now exchange wedding bands, although a piece of jewelry was not part of the Quaker service in the past.
Even with the addition of some of the mainstream American wedding customs, Quaker weddings are still singular for their simplicity and their silence. It is a beautiful tradition that is intended to highlight what is truly significant about a marriage, rather than allowing the emphasis to shift to the external trappings of a wedding.
Filed under Uncategorized, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Quaker wedding customs, Wedding Jewelry, wedding traditions | Comment (0)