History of the wedding toast

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the wedding toast or why it is called a "toast"? It helps first to look at the history of toasting in general. One tradition says it goes back to the 6th century B.C. when people toasted to a friend's health to assure them the wine wasn't poisoned as glasses clinked and wine splashed from one glass to the other. While this bit of history has been verbally handed down, there is no real evidence to support it that I know of.

Toasting: where did it start?

The origins of toasting can however, be traced back to most ancient societies in the form of raising their cup as a drink offering to their god(s), but there is also evidence that the ancient Greeks drank to each other's health which can be seen in The Odyssey when Ulysses drank to Achilles health.

Some used toasting as an excuse to drink excessive amounts of alcohol.

The ancient Romans also practiced toasting to health and it became such an important part of their culture that at one time the Senate passed a decree that everyone was required to drink to the Emperor Augustus at every meal. We see this tradition again in literature in The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire when it depicts a feast where Attila the Hun practices at least three toasts for every course.

Why it's called making a toast

The actual term "toast" originates back in the 16th century, with one of the first written accounts using the word found in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor when the character Falstaff says "Go fetch me a quart of sack; put a toast in't." You guessed it. They actually put a piece of toasted bread in the wine, and that is how we came to label this practice a "toast." It was thought the toasted bread helped soak up some of the acidity, and it was also a way to make a piece of stale bread edible. So over the next centuries the term "toasting" gradually incorporated traditional libations and the honoring of people. The person being honored often received the saturated piece of toast.

Toastmasters

By the 17th and 18th centuries the practice was so popular that Toastmasters came on the scene to ensure that the toasting didn't become too excessive and that everyone got their turn, because some people felt the need to toast every person in a room as an excuse to drink large amounts of alcohol! Today's toasting etiquette has changed the toasting practice to sipping rather than guzzling.

Origins of the wedding toast

This brings us to the origins of the wedding toast and ancient times when neighbors were at war with one another. Many times the wars ended in a truce that brought the leaders' children together in marriage. At the banquet celebration, the bride's father drank from the communal wine pitcher first (again to show it wasn't poisoned). And this is where the tradition of the wedding toast began.

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Personalized Wedding Toast Champagne Flutes

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10 wedding traditions and superstitions for good luck

Threads of superstitions entwine many wedding traditions in America. Think about it. Why else do we say, the groom shouldn't see the bride before the wedding, or why wear something old, something new, something borrowed,and something blue? Many wedding traditions are tied to good luck or avoiding bad luck. For instance, rain on your wedding day is thought to bring good luck.

Tony Curtis carries new bride Janet Leigh over the threshhold, 4 June 1951.

Why carry the bride over threshold?

Carrying the bride over the threshold is thought to bring luck to the newlywed's union, but it didn't start out that way. This tradition started in ancient Rome where the bride had to show she didn't want to leave her father's home, and so she was dragged across the threshold into the groom's home. This practice combined with the ancient belief that evil spirits hovered at the threshold to the new home waiting to curse the couple, started the practice of carrying the bride over the threshold. Why? So the spirits couldn't enter the bride body through the soles of her feet. It was a way to turn a "curse" into a "blessing" or bad luck into good. (Though it does leave one wondering whey they didn't worry about the spirits entering the groom).

Spider on your wedding dress? Don't freak out. It's good luck.

9 more wedding traditions for luck

1. Other superstitions thought to bring luck included the bride placing a cube of sugar in her glove on her wedding day to sweeten the union. (I wonder if eating sugar on your wedding day could work? I mean just eat some wedding cake, right?)
2. And if you see a spider on your wedding dress, celebrate! That's supposed to mean good luck! (Uh, yeah, good luck with that. If I see a spider it's never good. I'd rather go with the superstition that a lady bug brings good luck).
3. According to English tradition and lore, when it comes to luck the best day of the week to get married is Wednesday and the worst day is Saturday. (Maybe that explains the high divorce rate these days! Saturday is now the most popular day to tie the knot).
4. And on the gross side of traditions, the ancient Romans studied pig entrails to decide the luckiest time to marry.
   
5. Throwing oats, grains, dried corn, (for Czech newlyweds it was peas), and eventually why we throw rice or birdseed, was meant to shower the couple with good fortune, prosperity, and fertility.
6. Egyptian brides are pinched for good luck.
7. Middle Eastern brides paint their hands and feet with henna (a beautiful tradition) thought to protect from the evil eye.
8. A Swedish wedding tradition includes coins in shoes. The bride slips a silver coin from her father in one shoe and a gold coin from her mother in the other. This is to ensure she will never have to do without.
9. In Holland, a pine tree is planted outside the home of the newly married couple as a symbol of luck and fertility.

Many of these wedding traditions are now practiced in America but most people have no clue why. Now you do. Do you have a wedding tradition you'd like to know more about? If so let me know.

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Gimmel rings

The origin of gimmel rings (also known as gimmal or puzzle rings) is not certain, but they began to appear in the 1600s with designs like clasped hands incorporated into interlocking rings. If a third ring was added to the puzzle, it often bore a heart which fit into the clasped hands, very similar to Ireland's claddagh ring. However, gimmel rings were most popular in Germany and England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Lore behind gimmel rings
The lore surrounding the ring is that in ancient times, a Turkish nobleman who loved his wife very much wanted to be sure she remained true to him while he was away. He asked the local jeweler to fashion a puzzle ring that would fall apart if it was removed,. It is said he gave her the ring but wouldn't tell her the solution. For this reason, this puzzle ring is also known as a Turkish wedding band even though the Turkish people don't wear puzzle rings as a wedding ring.

 

 

Heart-shaped gemstones were often incorporated in the design and split between two rings so when the two rings were joined they formed a complete heart. Apart, the two rings allowed the bride and groom to each wear a piece of the other's heart, until they were wed. Gemstones were also fashioned in a variety of traditional gemstone cuts, but simpler ring designs were also popular and bore engravings. For instance, Martin Luther wore a gimmel ring in his engagement to Catherine Bora in 1525. It read, "Whom God has joined together, Let no man put asunder."

Gimmel rings created by two interlocking rings provided a ring for bride and one for the groom as a sign that they were betrothed. When they took their vows they fit the two rings together to form a wedding band for the new bride. 

 

 

Some rings were made up of three interlocking rings. In that case, one was worn by the bride, one by the groom, and the third by a witness – what we'd call a best man today. When a witness was involved, it became more than an engagement. It represented a contract. The witness would be present when the wedding vows were exchanged and then all three rings were joined to form a wedding band for the bride to wear.

Over the last few years, the puzzle ring has re-surged in popularity in North America and is even available as four interlocking bands.

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Why do brides wear a veil?

When you think about all the wedding related trappings, have you ever asked why? How about the bridal veil? It can be a beautiful accessory but do you know how that tradition got started? It's no different than many practices associated with the marriage ceremony and wedding apparel, it goes back to superstitions.

 

Princess Beatrice 1885

Bridal veil tradition

Bridal veil history can be traced back to Rome. This custom of veiling the bride was originally meant to disguise her from evil spirits as she walked down the aisle. Why would evil spirits even care about the bride? It was thought that they would be jealous of her happiness. So the original purpose of the bridal veil was to protect the bride who was thought to be vulnerable to enchantment.

Original wedding veil was flame red.

 

Another fact about the original wedding veil is that it wasn't white, it was flame red. Even the color was connected to superstition. According to the belief system of that culture, not only did the veil hide the bride from the evil spirits, but the color of the veil was thought to actually scare them off. This explains why traditionally the bride wears her wedding veil over her face.

Arranged marriage.

Lifting the wedding veil

Over time, of course, beliefs changed and new meanings were attached to the veil. Today blusher veils are a popular choice among brides, but not all brides cover their face. If they do, some brides:

• Have the groom lift their veil
• Have their father lift the veil when he gives the bride away
• Others go through the entire ceremony with their face covered until the father lifts the veil so the groom can kiss his new wife.

In today's wedding tradition, brides can feel free to walk the aisle with their veil drawn back, covering their face, or not to even wear a veil at all.

Vintage birdcage blusher veil

Other reasons brides wore a veil

Some suggest that back in the days of arranged marriages the veil hid the face of the bride from the groom until they were married in case he didn't like how his bride looked. This way everyone would be saved the embarrassment of the groom's disappointment.

2 Tier Beaded Edge Fingertip Length Bridal Veil

Beyond the evil spirit superstitions, veils were also considered a sign of humility and respect for God. However, during Victorian times, it became just the opposite. It became a status symbol, with the weight, length and quality of the veil a sign of the bride's status. Back then, Royal brides had the longest veils. Even in modern times I remember Princess Diana's wedding veil was 24 feet long.

Today, brides walk the aisle without worrying about evil spirits, and grooms already know what their brides look like, so for those who choose to wear them, the bridal veil tradition is more of a finishing touch to the bride's ensemble. However, many cultures never embraced wedding veils.

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Giving away the bride tradition and meaning

Giving away the bride is a tradition that has evolved over time. For some brides walking down the aisle with their father on their wedding day is a very special moment. One father I know pulled a picture of his daughter from his pocket and said, "This is how I remember you." The daughter's eyes brimmed with tears as she saw herself as a toddler wearing pigtails. The wedding march played, and the two of them walked the aisle together along an emotional thread only the two of them shared. So amid traditions, sometimes we create new traditions.

 

Giving the bride away tradition

Giving the bride away is an ancient tradition started back when arranged marriages were the norm. Back then:

• Daughters in that culture were considered their father's property 
• The father had the right to "give his daughter" to the groom 
• A price usually had to be paid to the bride's family before the man could marry their daughter
• Daughters were not allowed to get married without their father's permission

• Custom made music box gift for father of the bride.

Father giving away the bride tradition

Today, those who choose to "give the bride away" look at it as a practice that symbolizes the transfer of authority from the bride's father to her new husband, and it's not unusual for fathers to make a small speech as they relinquish their place of authority. However, these days, dads aren't the only ones to give the bride away. Now, some brides elect to have both parents, or in some cases their mother, child or some other family member walk them down the aisle.

Giving away the bride has evolved

The terminology used in wedding ceremonies today may still sound about the same, but the practice of giving away the bride has evolved to become a part of the wedding ceremony that lets parents of the bride and groom take part in the wedding ceremony in a way that signifies the parents' blessing on the marriage.

With all that said, the giving away of the bride tradition is not for every bride. Those who feel the practice is archaic, or who don't have a close relationship with their father or parents, shouldn't feel obligated to include the tradition. However, for those who like the idea, but whose father is deceased or unavailable, it is not uncommon to have another close family member walk the bride down the aisle.


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Handfasting tradition represents love and fidelity

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the phrase "to tie the knot" when talking about getting married? It turns out this saying comes from an ancient custom known as handfasting. The same is true for the phrase, "bonds of matrimony." This tying together of the bride and groom's hands (wrists) was how couples in Great Britain pledged their betrothal in front of witnesses in ages past. Today it is a popular addition to traditional weddings for couples looking to add a strong cultural or historical element to incorporate in their ceremony.

Handfasting goes back to Greece and Rome

The practice of handfasting was originally practiced by the Greeks and Romans. In the Roman celebration, a garland was fashioned from magnolias, elder and roses which they used to wrap around the couple's wrists. This practice was thought to represent love and fidelity.

Handfasting common tradition in Ireland and Scotland

The handfasting ceremony became especially common in Ireland and Scotland and turned out to be the way couples were "officially" married in the times before the church became involved in performing weddings and makes a popular choice for couples who choose a medieval theme or fantasy theme for their wedding.

Divinity Braid  Wedding Handfasting Cord

Handfasting today

Today, many people consider handfasting a strictly pagan custom often used in non-traditional marriages, but really it is a wedding ritual that can easily be incorporated into a traditional wedding while exchanging vows. In fact, it's a meaningful ritual that makes a perfect choice for couples looking to incorporate a visual that symbolizes their love, and for those of Scottish or Irish decent it is an opportunity to add a nice historical tie to their roots.

Traditionally silk cords are used in handfasting, but today some people use something that adds a personal touch meaningful to them. This might include cloth strips or one large piece of cloth made from something that holds special significance, like a piece of a mother or grandmother's wedding dress. Others choose several ribbons or a number of different colors with each color representing a different meaning.

Whatever you choose to use to tie the knot, this timeless tradition symbolizes the union of two people and their willingness to spend the rest of their lives together. And while the practice itself is an ancient tradition, today couples can find many different versions to choose from whether it is for a wedding or a renewal of vows.

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Meaning behind the Claddagh ring and how to wear It

The Claddagh ring (pronounced “klahda”) enjoys a distinctive Irish design that's rich in symbolism. It features two hands (representing friendship) holding a heart (symbolizing love) and usually topped by a crown (loyalty) and can be worn as an engagement ring or wedding band. While the meaning is clear, the history of the Claddagh ring is clouded by a number of legends as to its origins.

Claddagh ring legends

One legend surrounds a woman by the name of Margareth Joyce (from the Joyce clan). She is said to have married a Spanish merchant by the name of Domingo de Rona. She left her homeland and went with her husband to Spain, but he died and left her a large amount of money. The legend says she returned to Ireland and, in 1596, married the mayor of Galway (town where the ring originated), Oliver Ogffrench, and used the money she had inherited to build bridges in Connacht. As a reward for her charity, one day an eagle dropped the Claddagh ring in her lap.

A second story is about a prince who fell in love with a commoner. In his effort to convince the girl's father that he truly loved the girl, and had no intentions of "using" her, he designed the Claddagh ring with the symbols representing love, friendship, and loyalty. He proposed with the ring, and when the father heard the explanation he gave the couple his blessing.

14K White Gold Claddagh 8 Stone Emerald and Diamond Ring

A third legend that also links the Joyce clan and the Claddagh ring centers around a man by the name of Richard Joyce, a native of Galway. He left home to go work in the West Indies, and planned to marry the girl he loved when he returned to Ireland. However, his ship was seized, and he was sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith. As a slave, he learned his master's craft, and then when William III became king, he ordered all British prisoners released. His master held Joyce in high esteem and offered his daughter and half his wealth to the man if he stayed. However, Joyce rejected the offer and returned home to marry the girl he loved. Luckily, she had waited for him, and to her surprise he presented her with a Claddagh ring which he made while a slave.

How to wear the Claddagh ring

How you wear the Claddagh ring changes what it means. Traditionally, the Claddagh ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward away from the body. This symbolizes that the person wearing the ring isn't in a serious relationship, and may even be looking for a relationship – that "their heart is open." When worn on the right hand with the heart facing the body, it indicates "someone has captured their heart" and that they aren't available.

Solid 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Triple Heart Infinity Ring

 

In the Irish tradition, when the Claddagh ring is worn as an engagement ring or wedding ring, it is worn on the left hand ring finger. If the heart faces outward, it generally means the person is engaged. If the heart faces inward, toward the body, it means the person wearing the ring is married.

The Claddagh ring is traditionally handed down from mother to daughter, a custom that represents our ties with past generations.

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