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A Little Wedding History...

Suzie Kostick AIFD, MCF, PFCI
Flower News Staff

Dowry/Hope Chest and Trousseau: There was a time when marriage would include some exchange of property between the families of the bride and groom. Today the trousseau includes all wedding and show gifts as well as new purchases.

Bridal Shower: This custom came about when a father disapproved of his daughter's marriage and refused to provide a dowry to the couple. The shower became the alternative to the dowry. Supportive villagers would assemble and provide the bride a variety of household items for her new home.

The Bridal Bouquet: The carrying of flowers by the bride has its roots in ancient times when it was believed that strong smelling herbs and spices would ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health. During Roman times, this tradition was extended, with the bride and groom wearing floral garlands signifying new life and hope for fertility. During Victorian times, flowers took on an additional significance as lovers would send messages to each other using different flowers, with each flower having its own meaning. These associations were soon adopted for the bride's bouquet and are still used today by many brides.

The Bridal Veil: The origin of the wedding veil is unclear but it is thought to predate the wedding dress by centuries. One explanation is that during the times of arranged marriages, the brides face was covered until the groom was committed to her at the ceremony -so it would be too late for him to run off if he didn't like the look of her. Today the veil takes on many different forms from the once traditional head band and netting. Flowers are very often a welcomed addition to the headpiece and can even replace it entirely.

Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue: The Something Old refers to the wearing of something that represents a link with the bride's family and her old life. Usually, the bride wore a piece of family jewelry or a gown once worn by her mother or grandmother. [Something new] represents good fortune and success in the bride's new life. Dating back to biblical times, the wearing of something blue such as a blue sash or band around the bottom of the dress, was considered to represent purity and fidelity.

Don't Forget the Groom: Traditionally because he is the initiator, the groom is the first to state his vow for marriage. As the initiator of the covenant, the groom is to assume the greatest responsibility in the marriage. Well much has changed in that tradition but one thing remains -he still needs a boutonniere. Boutonnieres have taken on a life of their own and no longer need to be the tired rose surrounded with baby's breath. Make sure the groom stands out and personalize his flower just as you would the bride's. Ever wonder why the bride stands on the left side of the groom during Christian ceremonies? This goes back to the days when a groom would capture his bride by kidnapping her. If the groom had to fight off other men, he would hold his bride-to-be with his left, allowing his right hand to be free to use his sword. I guess if the groom was left handed he was out of luck.

Child Attendants: Children were originally included in the wedding ceremony to represent innocence. Today children are still stealing the hearts of wedding goers and can often times cause of a little frustration when shy flower girl or the timid ring bearer refuses to walk down the aisle. Try keeping a little bag of tricks in your tool box. A little toy or trinket, even a shiny quarter or a piece of candy. If the parents permit, placing a toy at the front of church or on the seat the child is to take once they have made their way down the aisle can often times be just right incentive for them to take the long walk.

The White Aisle Runner: The white aisle runner symbolized God's holiness and walking on holy ground. Aisle runners today take on a more personal meaning with the couple choosing to personalize their aisle runners with monograms, favorite verses or their own images. Some are even lined with crystals. Another version of the aisle runner is a blanket of flower petals. The tradition of the bride walking over rose petals was meant to ward off evil spirits below the ground and to grant fertility.

The Huppah: In the Jewish religion, the ceremony takes place as the couple stands under an ornamental canopy. This canopy called the huppah symbolizes the nomadic tents of Israel and the new home that the couple would soon share. The fact hat the huppah is open on all sides recalls in particular the tent of the biblical Abraham, who had doors on all four sides of his dwelling so that visitors would always know they were welcome. Modern day huppahs come in all styles and sizes and are very often decorated -with garlands and lush floral displays.

Unity Candle: In Christian ceremonies the unity candle is a symbol of family unity. Usually a single candle (representing newly married couple) is lit with two individual candles, each representing the bride's and groom's families. In this day of extended families, the unity candle ceremony can be customized to represent of host of special meanings. In Jewish ceremonies candles are often carried by those leading the couple to the huppah to light the way. In some instances a,pair of candlesticks under the huppah symbolizes the beginning of a home that will be filled with light of God. In any situation, before using candles of any kind always check with local fire codes.

Breaking of Glass: A Jewish tradition that represents the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem comes at the end of the ceremony when a glass goblet is wrapped in a handkerchief or pouch and is placed under the groom's foot. The groom then proceeds to step on it shattering the glass followed by shouts of "Mazel Tov,"

Jumping the Broom: This African custom originated as the symbolic jumping the doorway or the threshold from a carefree single life into the responsibilities of domestic life and a future together. Today brides and grooms are jumping cleverly decorated brooms often adorned with ribbons and floral accents.

Wedding Cakes: A wedding just wouldn't be a complete without fertility symbols, like the wedding cake. Ancient Romans would bake a cake made of wheat and barley and break it over the bride's head as a symbol of her fertility. No doubt today's brides are happy to see that the custom of dropping a cake on top her beautifully coiffed up-do has lost its appeal, but cakes are bigger and better than ever and flowers are an important part of them.

Tossing the Bouquet:
Tossing the bouquet is a custom which has its roots in England. It was believed that the bride would pass along good fortune to others. In order to obtain the fortune, spectators would try to tear away pieces of the brides clothing and flowers. In an attempt to get away, the bride would throw her bouquet into the crowd. Tradition says that the single woman who catches the bouquet is the one who receives the bride's good fortune.


Some portions of the original text have been removed from the above article.

Copyright © 2007 Cenflo, Inc. Publications
Article Published by Flower News / Cenflo, Inc. Publications
Flower News April 21, 2007 (vol. 61, no. 8)


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