Wedding Traditions
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History of the Wedding Cake

 

In the history of the wedding cake, the first wedding cake was not meant to be eaten. Looking back at wedding cake history, a wedding cake was actually a loaf of wheat bread that was broken over the head of the bride, by the groom. This wedding cake tradition began sometime during the Roman Empire when wheat was actually a symbol of fertility. The wedding guests would then eat the crumbs that fell for good luck!

 

During the Middle Ages history of wedding cake, the wheat loaf changed to sweet buns and were brought to the bride and groom by the wedding guests. After the ceremony, the buns would be piled together for the bride and groom to kiss over. The higher the wedding cake buns were stacked, the more prosperous the wedding couple would be!

 

Then in the 16th century history of the wedding cake, while visiting London a french chef was appalled by the wedding cake tradition he had seen. Upon his return to France, he baked a wedding cake that looked something like a pile of buns - similar to today's tiered modern wedding cakes. He made that more modern wedding cake taste good and loaded it with delicious, flowing frosting.

 

Today, traditional yet modern wedding cakes are a fun and symbolic part of the wedding day. The modern wedding cake symbolizes the first meal as husband and wife - now a treasured tribute to the wedding cake history of centuries past.

 

The Bridal Bouquet Toss

 

Believe it or not, the bridal bouquet toss celebration goes back to fourteenth century France where it was believed that a bride was especially lucky on her wedding day. Guests would rush towards the bride at the end of the ceremony in hopes of tearing off a piece of her dress to take home for their own good fortune. This often ended in a scuffle dangerous for the bride (and guests). For a brief time, in an effort to fend off the wild attacks, the bride would throw her stockings (or garter) until brides began to rebel against this undignified practice. Brides instead switched to throwing the bouquet and that tradition has remained in place.

 

Today it is still considered lucky to catch the bridal toss bouquet and the event is usually performed to a unique bouquet toss song. It is said that the lucky recipient will be the next to marry. If you are leery of performing the bouquet toss at your own ceremony, consider some great modern alternatives to that traditional bouquet toss. Make a presentation of the bridal toss bouquet to a dear friend instead of tossing it. Or, a great twist is to look inwards at the fortune you've found by presenting the tossing bouquet and tossing garter to a cherished, wedded couple whom inspired you both to become newlyweds.

 

The Wedding Day Garter Toss
Throwing the garter began in France when pieces of the bridal attire were considered lucky. The bride would throw the garter to the guests at the wedding and whoever caught it could expect good luck. In the United States, the groom traditionally removes the garter from the bride and throws it to the unmarried men. The man who catches it is thought to be the next to marry. At some weddings the man who catches the garter will place it on the leg of the lady who caught the bouquet or they may start the next dance. It is also common for the recipients of the bouquet and garter to have a photograph taken with the bride and groom.  The garter is placed on the brides right leg, just above the knee. 

 

List of Top 5 Requested Bridal Toss Songs

 

1. This One is For the Girls (Martina McBride)

2. Just a Girl (No Doubt)

3. Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)

4. Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend (Marilyn Monroe)

5. I Feel Like a Woman (Shania Twain)

 

Something Old, Something New ...

 

 

 

Something Old Something New ...Many wedding traditions are rooted in superstition and are closely connected to good luck and bad luck. The following well-known wedding tradition dates back to victorian times.

 

The complete wedding tradition goes as follows ... Something old something new something borrowed something blue and, a lucky silver sixpence for her shoe.

 

Something Old ... represents the connection the bride will maintain to her family and the past. Many brides choose to wear an heirloom piece of family jewelry or the wedding gown belonging to a grandmother or mother to uphold this wedding tradition.

 

Something New ... symbolizes good fortune and success in the brides new life. A new wedding dress, new wedding garter or any other new item can represent this wedding tradition.

 

Something Borrowed ... serves to remind the bride that friends and family will always be there for her. The borrowed item can be anything of her choosing. Many times it is an antique handkerchief, an item of jewelry or a handbag. It is most often borrowed from the bride's mother, sister or another family member.

 

Something Blue ... represents loyalty and faithfulness. This symbolism dates back to biblical times when blue stood for purity and constancy. Brides often choose to wear a blue garter to keep with this tradition or blue ribbons in their hair. Violets also represent loyalty and faithfulness. Offering Personalized Violet Flower Seed Favors to wedding guests ties in nicely with this cherished wedding tradition.

 

A Lucky Silver Sixpence for Her Shoe ... stands for wishes of financial security and happiness for the bride in her new life. To uphold this fun wedding tradition on your wedding day, remember to carry a genuine Lucky Sixpence in your shoe.

 

Wedding Favors Traditions

 

 

 

Wedding Favors to Commemorate the Moment!

 

The custom of giving wedding favors can be traced back to the Romans in 400 B.C. when the groom distributed walnuts to his friends as a farewall to being a bachelor. Also during the 15th century it was customary for the English Court to give little wedding favor boxes made of precious metal filled with almonds to symbolize good wishes.

 

Giving wedding favors as wedding souvenirs to celebrate the bride and groom began as a wedding reception tradition in Italy during the 18th century. Practiced only by the upper class, noble families would give solid silver wedding favor gifts to as many as 1800 guests at their wedding. By the end of the 19th century, even the peasants would give wedding tradition almonds in a gold papercard box to the guests at their wedding. Nowadays, party favors can be given to commemorate any occasion from birthday parties to baby showers and even retirement parties. Wedding favors also now come in all sorts of sizes and shapes and can be edible or practical. You can give chocolate, Personalized Lollipops, Personalized Flower Seed Packet Favors, or even Engraved Coffee Scoops. Whatever fits your style and your wedding theme is perfectly acceptable as a wedding favor.

 

The Wedding Rings
Being a continuous circle, without an ending, the ring represents a token of everlasting love, and a commitment. Historically, it was once believed that there was a vein running from the third finger of the left hand up to the heart. Thus the wedding band is usually placed on this finger. Egyptian men once regarded the gift of a gold ring as a symbol of proof that they trusted their new wives with their wealth.



 

 


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