Regardless
of where in the world you go, marriage is the one thing that we all have in common.
The way the ceremonies are held may vary; but despite that, the essence of the union
remains the same. Having said that, let’s take a look at some brilliant wedding
traditions that have been in place for as long as we can remember.
1.
Bridal shower
Bridal
showers are events that brides really look forward to; it’s when they get all sorts
of gifts, cards, and favours from the women they know. However, this little party
didn’t just come out of nowhere. It began in Holland in around the 16th
century when friends and family would bring gifts to the bride to help her get
started on her new life. If the bride was poor, these gifts would even serve as
substitutes for dowry. Quite a few things have changed with regard to how bridal
showers are held today; though, they’re still meant to give support to the bride
prior to the wedding.
2.
The wedding cake
The wedding
cake is always the centrepiece of a wedding ceremony and it all started in prehistoric
times where instead of being eaten, the cake would be thrown at the bride as an
indication of prosperity and fertility. Now, before you start thinking of how
all that chocolate, vanilla, and butter cream cake, may have gone to waste; the
cakes were rather small, and were only made of wheat and salt –no sweeteners, toppings,
or flavours.
3.
Staying away from each other
From the cards
and flowers to the entertainment and catering; brides and their partners almost
always work on everything together. If you have been around long enough, you also
know that prior to the ceremony, the two are never supposed to see each other.
The bride takes time to pamper herself and look her best while the groom stays
in the company of his groomsmen as he awaits his bride. The idea behind this is
that when the two don’t meet, they have more to look forward to when the moment
comes –a magical element of surprise.
4. Wedding bands
Until the
bride and groom exchange their vows and put on their rings, a wedding can never
be complete. Rings are circles, and the shape itself represents the endless
love that the bride and groom should have for one another. It’s also a tangible
item used to signify their commitment to each other.
5.
Cards
A couple of
months (or even a year) before the wedding, it’s common to spot the bride and
groom running up and down looking for wedding cards and other wedding stationery.
Some go for very simple cards, while others feel inclined to pay for intricate
designs which they believe will make their guests feel more special. Giving
wedding cards, or invites as they are commonly known, began in the 20th
century and over time; it has become just as important as every other aspect of
the ceremony.
There are
many other traditions practiced in weddings all over the world today; some interesting,
others just plain odd. Why not share the ones you know with us?
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