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Unique Victorian Edwardian 1800's
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Wedding traditions have long-held great significance to the bride and the groom.
Many recognize the need for tradition, value and strong beliefs.
Many couples include the basic customs into their ceremonies, while others practice the full extent. Depending on religion and beliefs, many traditions are the normal part of the ceremony and the celebration. The celebration is just as important in its significance.
Many have specific origins and historical value, while some traditions are virtually practiced and shared without truly knowing where they originated from............take your time and read on.......
11/27/2008
Engagement PartyIDEA #1: Scottish Wedding Announcements in the medieval Church announced intended marriages through a process called the banns of marriage. Select or hire a well-suited man to announce the banns of marriage during the party. Include in the banns the wedding date and other vital information. For a humorous addition, include the required duties of the wife and husband.
08/27/2008
IDEA #2: Flouncing was a special party held for an engaged couple to meet with friends of both families. This "flouncing" established a formal contract. If either changed his mind about the marriage, the other could lay claim to half of his, or her, property. Following a flouncing, the couple could no longer be seen with, or be found talking to, other suitors. In China, the betrothal was looked upon as a family obligation. If an engaged man died before the wedding, his intended bride was treated as his widow. Flounce the engaged couple by preparing a Contract that includes humorous and contractual duties of the couple; include property and other items.
IDEA #3:
To make the engagement official, the couple can exchange betrothal rings in the presence of the family and guests.
In Germany, to mark their betrothal, a couple give each other gold bands, worn on their left hands.
Throughout their engagement, the couple are referred to as bride and bridegroom.
IDEA #4:
The Danish Gate of Honor is a Gate of Honor erected in front of the bride's parents' house. It consists of a long garland of branches put up as an
inverted-U to form an archway. The branches are made from pine, or oak.
The Gate can be attached around the doorway or left freestanding somewhere across the path leading to the house. This Gate of Honor is also erected when a married couple celebrates their silver
anniversary. Add a special touch at the engagement party using this custom.
IDEA #5: As a sign of a new family being created, part of the celebration can include planting a favorite tree, rose bush or other cherished bush or vine. In Norway, two small fir trees are set on either side of the door to the couple's house until they are blessed with a child.
Display Wedding Certificate
with Table Cards & Place Cards
(full-standing easel or table-top) Scrapbook or Display Certificate at Your Reception!
IDEA #6:
During Medieval times in Brittany the man proposed by leaving a hawthorn branch at the door of his beloved on the first of May. By leaving the branch at the door she accepted his proposal. She made known her refusal by replacing the hawthorn branch with a cauliflower.
For a touch of humor, try this scenario in the presence of the guests, with the father of the bride giving her a choice between a decorated branch or cauliflower.
IDEA #7:
In Hungary, the couple exchange betrothal rings. The groom also gives the bride a silk bag of coins.
This custom gives notice of intent to the family.
The bride gives the groom either three or seven handkerchiefs (believed to be a lucky number). Use the gold dollar coins for this exchange.
The bride can use monogrammed handkerchiefs.
04/13/2009 |
IDEA #8:
In old China, the color of love and joy is red, which is the favorite color choice for the bride’s dress, candles, gift boxes, and the money envelopes that are presented to the bride and guests.
Use “red” as the theme, complete with parasols!
IDEA #9:
Give
each guest a name tag indicating their relation to the bride, such as
mother, future mother-in-law, maid of honor, bridesmaid, best friend,
cousin, sister-in-law to-be, hostess, etc
IDEA #10:
In
Croatia, married female relatives remove the bride’s veil and replace
it with a kerchief and apron, symbols of her new married status.
She is then serenaded by all the married women.
Use as a game during the shower by dividing up into teams and
dressing up one team member in “married woman attire” (apron,
kerchief, oven mitt), providing
each team with a roll of toilet paper.
The bride chooses the best outfit.
Include
color swatches in shower invitations so guests know the colors the bride
has chosen for her bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, etc.
IDEA #11:
In
Ireland, a lucky horseshoe is given to the bride and groom to keep in
their home. Make
horseshoe mementoes for the guests by decorating them and adding a poem
and this custom to it
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October 18, 2008
IDEA #12:
In
Finland, the bride-to-be was considered "snobbish" if she did
not go door-to-door to receive her gifts in a pillowcase---the custom of
Collecting. Accompanying
her, an elderly married man, carrying an umbrella (for shelter), came
along and was given a drink at each door. Today, an umbrella is
used as a decoration
symbolizing "protection".
Give shower guests miniature umbrellas as party favors.
Using a small, lacy, paper doily and pipe cleaners, fold the lace
doily in half.
Bring both
sides together with a tip forming at the top.
Cut pipe cleaners in half. Place
the pipe cleaner inside the paper doily and secure with tape.
Form the bottom of the pipe cleaner in the shape of a curved
handle. Using
clear address labels, type the bride and groom’s name, wedding
date, shower date or other information.
Place one label on each umbrella.
IDEA #13:
The
wedding veil was used to protect the bride from evil spirits.
As a symbol of this tradition, create a simple veil made of tulle
and have all the bows from the gifts pinned on the veil.
The bows are to be used for the couple’s first Christmas
together.
Bridal
Luncheon
or Tea
IDEA #14:
Have
a cake baked with the symbolic charms Another
old English custom was to place a ring in the wedding cake. The guest
who found the ring in their the piece of cake would be ensured happiness
for the next year.
IDEA #15:
Provide
each guest with candy-coated almonds wrapped in tulle as a favor
(Greek). Giving
almonds at a wedding celebration are to symbolize the bitter and sweet
of married life. The five
almonds stand for Love, Happiness, Loyalty, Prosperity and virility.
IDEA #16:
In
Armenia, two while doves may be released to signify love and happiness.
Use a decorated wicker birdcage with two silk white doves as a
decorator piece for the theme of the Luncheon or Tea.
Wales:
Here,
and throughout the British Isles, the bride gives her attendants
cuttings of myrtle (symbolizing love) for her bouquet. According to
custom, if the plant roots and blossoms, they will marry soon
IDEA #17:
Rosemary
wreaths, handmade by the mother or grandmother of the bride
is a century old tradition for brides in the countryside of
Czechoslovakia. A variation
of this today is seen as wreaths of baby’s breath and miniature roses,
worn as often by the attendants as the bride herself.
IDEA #18:
The
symbolic color of happiness and prosperity for the Chinese is red.
Include red foiled hearts or confetti (or a red rose petal) in
the wedding invitation which will sprinkle out when your guests open the
envelope.
IDEA #19:
The
custom in Finland was to go “collecting” and filling pillowcases
with gifts. In using this
custom, attend a bridal fair, having the bridesmaids or maid of honor
can have the duty of collecting brochures, calling cards and
information, filling up bags for the bride while she devotes her
attention to looking at displays and asking questions
October 3, 2008
IDEA #20:
In
France, during the rein of Louis XVI, the bride gave her bridesmaids her
fans, decorated with mythological paintings, as wedding presents.
Give each bridesmaid a Victorian fan, decorated with symbolic
paintings.
Paddle
Fan Favors
IDEA #21:
The
traditional wedding toasts can be offered in many ways.
On your reply card, ask your guests to list a favorite song for
the band/DJ to play in dedication to the new couple, and expressing best
wishes or marriage advice.
IDEA #22:
Imaginary
trolls in Sweden, once thought to bring misfortune to the young couple,
were kept away by the bride, as well as her bridesmaids, carrying
bouquets of pungent herbs and stinking weeds.
Today, those stinking herbs and weeds have been replaced by the
lovely bouquets carried on the arms of brides throughout the world.
Lightly spray each invitation envelope with perfume.
As an option, place all envelopes in a plastic bag, filled with
potpourri sachet packets which will enhance the fragrance of the
invitation and envelope for the guests (and the postal workers).
IDEA #23: A lovely tradition has long been practiced in Belgium to make and embroider a handkerchief for the bride to carry during her wedding. The brides name would also be
embroidered on it.
Following the wedding, she would them frame the handkerchief
and hang it on the wall until the next wedding in the family, at
which time it was to be taken down and the new bride’s name
embroidered on it as well. This
was handed down from generation to generation.
Add a special touch by embroidery the names and wedding dates of
your ancestry. Bridal
Handkerchief: This is a
lucky sign for farmers. A
bride’s wedding tears bring rain for their crops.
IDEA #24: Breaking of the bread symbolizing the union of two families. Instead
of slicing into your beautiful wedding cake which stands so majestic on
the table—have two! Construct
a cake using Styrofoam, fully decorated with icing and frosting.
Have the “real cake” baked in sheet cake style using your
favorite filling, flavor and frosting.
For creativity, construct the Styrofoam into a castle or other
forms.
February 28, 2009
IDEA #25:
The
groom presents the bride with a small, decorated chest which contains
money or symbolic representation of money, symbolizing his faithfulness
to her and commitment to support her.
Mexican The
arras, a small chest of gold coins symbolizing wealth and strength, is
blessed; groom may present 13 gold coins to the bride as a symbol of his
commitment to support her
IDEA #26:
“Love
Tokens”. What a
charming custom the Welsh and Pennsylvania Dutch couples had of giving
one another hand crafted gifts, useful for their future home.
Such things as cake molds, butter prints, carved spoon which were
covered with symbols and announcements of their love for one another.
IDEA #27:
Hold decorated
candles as the Bride and Groom exchange vows as the Germans do.
This beautiful old tradition could be included in
a wedding of today, with the couple placing candles they have
carried to the alter beside
their unity
candle. These candles could
then be used to light the unity candle at the end of the ceremony.
Also, these candles could light a special memorial candle in the
event that a loved one has passed on and remembrance is desired during
the ceremony.
IDEA #28:
Swedish
wives wear three wedding rings: for betrothal, for marriage, and for
motherhood. The minister
could include a scripture about fertility when a third ring is given to
the bride during the ceremony.
IDEA #29:
In
Scandinavian customs, fiddlers
and horns accompany the wedding procession to the church.
Have
trumpeters (or other musicians) lead the procession down the aisle.
IDEA #30: Have
the flower girl go down the aisle handing out tiny rose buds or flowers
to guests on at the ends of the pews.
The familiar English tradition of a flower girl throwing rose
petals as she passes down the aisle before the bride is a reminder of
days gone by when the bride walked
to the church with her maids in waiting.
Leading the procession was always a young girl throwing flower
petals along the lane, so the bride’s path through life would be happy
and laden with flowers.
IDEA #31:
Leading
the procession: a small girl strewing blossoms along the road.
With a bit of a twist, decorate a Red Flyer wagon for your small
attendants to ride in down the aisle if they are uncomfortable about
walking down the aisle. A
junior bridesmaid (about age 10) could pull the wagon down to the alter
and settle the children.
IDEA #32:
Wonderful idea for an interesting unity candle—buy a
three wick candle, have the parents of the groom light one wick while
the parents of the bride are lighting another wick, then have the bride
and groom light the remaining wick to unit the families represented. Children blended with the new family unit can also light a candle.
IDEA #33: The
lasso, a figure-eight rope, symbolically ties the couple together and is
binding (Mexican). Decorate a long garland or rope which is placed
around the couple during the vows or during other parts of the ceremony.
IDEA #34:
English
weddings are held at noon with a sit-down luncheon afterwards.
Mid-morning
ceremonies provide a special event with a wedding breakfast afterwards.
To continue the day’s events, a dance is sponsored in the
evening
IDEA #35: Have
everything white as the French do!
Dresses, flowers, decorations, mother’s dresses,
etc
IDEA #36: Have
Bagpipes playing outside the church after the bride and groom depart and
as guests leave the church! Scottish
grooms wear the kilt of his “Clan”, and bagpipe music is played at
the entrance and recessional of the bridal party.
IDEA #37:
One
of the most simple, yet elegant
of ceremonies, is the Moravian Wedding Ritual. The bridal couple
together lights one large candle. The flame is passed along to each
guest, who each has been given a hand-made candle.
Each guest lights the candle of the one beside until the whole
church is aglow with the warmth of love of family and friends. This is a
wonderful way to include your family and friends.
Include this custom during the lighting of the unity candle.
I
IDEA #38:
In Switzerland, a pine tree, which symbolizes luck and fertility, is
planted at the couple’s new home.
Use small pine trees decorated as you wish and instruct guests to
plant their tree as a special remembrance.
These small evergreen trees are easy to decorate with ribbon, a
poem and other items, and
is good for the environment. This
ideas can also be used when decorating guest tables at the reception.
IDEA #39:
Today’s
love tokens could include a song or poem written by the groom to his
bride, or a hand embroidered handkerchief for the groom.
Whatever your special craft, whether it be t
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