Throwing rice used to be a popular wedding tradition
but it’s one we’ve stepped away from more and more in modern times for a number
of reasons, including the fact that it isn’t allowed in most venues. Originally guests threw oats,
grains, dried corn, (for Czech newlyweds it was peas), and eventually it was
rice. Showering the newlyweds with this “life-giving” seed was meant to shower
the couple with good fortune, prosperity, and fertility.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Why do we throw rice at weddings?
Keep the traditional symbolism without the rice
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Ideas for something old, new, borrowed and blue
Light Blue Simulated Pearl, Double Heart, Blue Crystal, and Six Pence Bridal Pin |
Why do brides wear something old, new, borrowed and blue?
Ideas for something old, new, borrowed and blue
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Saturday, May 28, 2016
What did weddings look like the year you were born?
1960s bride and groom |
While on Facebook today, I came across a slideshow that takes a look at bridal fashion starting back in 1916. It's a fun overview that includes interesting tidbits of history and wedding traditions. Enjoy the 100-year journey! And if you're considering a vintage wedding, it's a perfect resource.
Wasp waistlines and billowing skirts of the 50s
Wedding dresses like this one pictured in 1929 represent typical wedding dress style of the era, but by the 1950s designs evolved to include billowing skirts and wasp-waist designs. As an example of a wasp-waste the waistline, Elizabeth Taylor's wedding dress waist measured 20 inches!
Home wedding receptions of the 60s and 70s
By the 1960s, wedding dress designs became sleeker but cakes grew fancier. In the 60s and 70s it was still common to hold a wedding reception at someone's house, but as wedding traditions continued to evolve along with the dresses in the decades following, the wedding ceremony, venue, and reception grew increasingly extravagant...and expensive.
1929 wedding |
Even in the 70s it wasn't unusual for a family member or close friend to make a wedding dress as a way to save money. Back then, fabric was way cheaper. To put it into perspective, malls were still a brand-new concept at the time. Another way to save was to order your dress through one of the catalogs like J.C. Penney, Sears, or Montgomery Wards. This was also a great place to order bridesmaids dresses especially when the wedding party lived in different states.
Photo credits: Pixbay, wikipedia
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Newer wedding trends and traditions
Changes to the wedding flowers tradition
Overtime, the incorporation of flowers in weddings has become a tradition. We have flower girls, wedding flowers, including the bridal bouquet, pew decorations, corsages for mothers of the bride and groom, reception flowers, and more. In fact, wedding flowers are big business with different flowers attributed with unique meanings.Sunday, March 13, 2016
Wedding traditions most practiced today
Father giving the bride away
Night before the wedding spent apart
Something old, new, borrowed, and blue
Throwing the Bouquet
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Related article: Wedding Traditions Origins: Newer Wedding Trends and Traditions
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Why brides carried a bouquet
Original purposes of the bridal bouquet
Like many wedding traditions, the origin of the bridal bouquet tradition can be traced back to ancient Rome. For them, like I said, it signified new beginnings, fidelity and hope of fertility. By the Middle Ages bouquets of strong-smelling herbs and spices were carried by the bride for their magical effects to ward off evil spirits, bad luck, and sickness.
Today, the bouquet represents happiness and satisfaction in marriage and the wedding flowers making up the bouquet are thought to have their own special meanings.
Vintage wedding bouquet ideas for the modern bride
- Consider wearing a flower garland like the ancient Romans who believed flowers signified new beginnings, fidelity and hope of fertility.
- Make up a bouquet of your favorite wild flowers, herbs and aromatic spices.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
History of the marriage contracts
First recorded marriage contracts
Marriage is an ancient institution with the first recorded evidence of marriage contracts and ceremonies dating back 4,000 years in Mesopotamia. It was an institution that primarily regulated property rights and political privileges and contracts reflected that. In that ancient world marriage primarily served to preserve power.What is traditional marriage? This book may open your eyes. |
Marriage played role banks and markets fill today
Babylonian Bridal Auction |