WELCOME
TO THE
WEDDING PAGE
WEDDINGS....They are part of every culture, every time, every religion. First time miracles occurred at them, (Cana- ancient town of Galilee. According to the Bible, JESUS performed his first miracle here by turning water into wine at a wedding.), scandals mocked the institution of marriage (HENRY VIII was no advertisement for fidelity), beautiful sonnets and poetry were written about the love in marriage (even as far back as 955 by Arabic poet HARUN AR-RASHID).
THEN there is MARRIAGE...
THE
SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT!
In 1999, The Very First Wedding Project Took Place within the Sections for
Mrs. Barnfield, Ms Magnotti and Mr. Heitmann.
The original
project was to combine three of the four academic areas under the theme of
a marriage. Now, Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Art,
Geography, Home Economics, and Dance all make up components of a project that follows upon the heals
of
"We
Didn't Start the Fire" from the first/ second marking periods.
After each of the components
was completed, the classes took part in a "wedding ceremony" that turned
the new wing hallway into a "would-be" chapel and each of the classrooms
into reception halls.
What MOST people
do not understand is the huge academic requirements for the wedding
project. Many people see the WEDDING as just a huge party; they
never see the more than 47 required components of the wedding
that each student must complete. This is in addition to their regular school
assignments and while studying for/ completing their midterm exams.
THANK GOODNESS that the parents of all of our students understood the importance of all the practical life skills that went into the wedding project!
It is MUCH more
than a
reception!
THE HAPPY COUPLES: |
THE HAPPY COUPLES: |
THE HAPPY COUPLES: |
THE HAPPY COUPLES: |
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| WEDDING HISTORY | WEDDING HISTORY TRIVIA |
A Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? B Thou art more lovely and more temperate: A Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, B And summer's lease hath all too short a date: C Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, D And often is his gold complexion dimm'd; C And every fair from fair sometime declines, D By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd; E But thy eternal summer shall not fade F Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest; E Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade, F When in eternal lines to time thou growest: G So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, G So long lives this and this gives life to thee. |
THE HAPPY COUPLES 1999
WE COULDN'T HAVE TRIED THE PROJECT WITH A BETTER GROUP OF STUDENTS. THEY WILL ALWAYS BE THE FIRST TO HAVE MADE THE ENTIRE MARRIAGE PROJECT WHAT IT IS TODAY. THEY WERE WILLING TO HELP-OUT AND WILLING TO DO THE WORK FOR THE WEDDING. THIS PAGE IS HUMBLY DEDICATED TO THEM AND THE MEMORY OF THAT FIRST WALK DOWN THE AISLE.
COUPLE
|
7-11 RYAN HESNAN
RACHEL PANNULLO |
7-12 LUIS GARCIA
AMY BEVACQUA |
7-13 JUSTIN HERBSTER
ANGELA DAY |
|
Frank Martinez |
Sal Mombelardi |
Joe Gerhard |
|
Michelle Woods |
Lauren Grabowski |
Kristy Akerberg |
|
Krystin Tykot Caitlin Byers Stephanie McHugh |
Ashley Nydam Ashley Kight Karissa Napolitano |
Michele Carney Angela Penna Dannielle Peterson |
|
Anthony Arciniaco Andrew Stangas |
Kenny Biondolillo Jon Mangogna Paris DeGrassie |
Billy Reynolds James Morrell Rob Pasino |
Parents |
Ryan Hannon Colleen Poalillo |
Larry Perna Megan Sherman |
Jess Mahler Shaun Giblock |
Parents |
Matt Burke Rachel Philpot |
Matt Van Pelt Brittany Rocco |
Danielle Amidon Zack Boyce |
|
Stephen Robertson |
Marc Morgan |
Adam Maguire |
|
Jackie Dunay |
Mahogany Critten |
Liane Sninski |
THE HAPPY COUPLES 2000
COUPLE
|
7-11 STEVE DURNIAN
AMANDA CURTIS |
7-12 MICHAEL HOCKENBURY
CATRINA SNELL |
7-13 DANIEL STAVOLA
CRISTINE POSNER |
|
Alex Gorden |
Justin Suveg |
Rob Hughes |
|
Holly Lund |
Heather Harper |
JaimeAnn Palm |
|
Alison Sweeney Abby Hayden |
Lindsay Berner Becky Morganti |
Jen Tignola Kristen Trione |
|
Bert McKee Joe Stephens |
Charles Favia Jordan Marsch |
Rich Pomeroy Jorden Coursey |
Parents |
Tom Barry Karen Griegel |
Tim Boeni Marla Solomon |
Drew Boyle Amanda Winniki |
Parents |
Kyle Cobb Melissa Stuis |
Rick Szpakowski Kali VonGlahn |
Bob Mahler Tracy Merola |
|
Matt Andrews |
Matt Tunis |
Mike Mansfield |
|
Taryn Hamill |
Jamie Orlofsky |
Erin Mulligan |
THE HAPPY COUPLES 2001
BY FAR, THE BEST PROPOSALS OF ALL TIME
WERE PERFORMED BY
ALL THREE GROOMS ON JANUARY 16, 2001.
DIFFERENT ETHNIC CUSTOMS APPEAR FIRST IN 2001
COUPLE
|
7-11 FILIPINO WEDDING BILLY WINTERS
APRIL HEASLEY |
7-12 ARMENIAN WEDDING ZACK LOWENSTEIN
BRIANNA POALILLO |
7-13 JEWISH WEDDING JOSH D'AMICO
CIARA IASILLO |
|
Joseph Thompson |
Chris Healing |
Xavier Garcia |
|
Erica Santiago |
Martina Sherwood |
Lauren Montagna |
|
Michelle Harder Paige Murtagh Heather Wilkie |
Caitlin Burke Melissa McCormack Kory Schreier |
Melinda Mercado Kristin White Melissa Zduniak |
|
Mike Gorman Rich Kazanjian Andrew Syvertsen |
Matt Danner Matt Davis Matt Giannini |
Stephen Malave Craig McNellis Eric Saenz |
Parents |
Tia Testa Mike Eleneski |
Danielle Simanek Joe Arciniaco |
Lindsay Vitillo Billy Pierce |
Parents |
Samantha Koste John Radamski |
Kevin Teta |
Hannah Raymundo Phil Rizzo |
|
Dan Bernabe |
Stephen Christensen |
Matt Marinaro |
|
Tiffany Mnich |
Shannon Sheridan |
Nicole Zavattieri |
The Class of 2000/2001 was so exceptionally good, that they had yet more more component of the wedding project added for them. The Best Man/Maid of Honor and Bridal Party for each couple had the responsibility of preparing and planning a Bachelor and Bachalorette Party and Rehearsal Dinner. Academic requirements were also placed upon the wedding party in 2001; likewise, anyone that was to participate in The Wedding experience was required to complete all of the assignments for the project.
THE HAPPY COUPLES 2002
A VERY organized party group!
COUPLE
|
7-11 JAPANESE WEDDING ANTHONY NARDONE
DANIELLE LUTTENBERGER |
7-12 IRISH WEDDING DREW CASELLA
DANIELLE PADULA |
7-13 AFRICAN WEDDING F.J. LUCCHETTI
STEPHANIE JACOBS |
|
Sean Darcy |
Jeff Peterson |
Anthony Llauger |
|
Jackie Greenwood |
Alaina D'Amico |
Heather Powell |
|
Michelle Campenelli Stephanie Kissam Marina Shirley |
Latisha Marshall Jessica Maxson Kate Bradford |
Leah Thiel Alyse Pierce Karissa Olsen |
|
Pat Hughes Dave Concodora Kevin Rocha |
Evan Kahl Steve Lyon Matt Woegens |
Mike Gawronski Doug Stirewalt Pete Schauer |
Parents |
McKenna Crilley Mike Consoli |
Stephanie DeCicco Anthony Penna |
Alexis Thiebault Matt Henel |
Parents |
Stephanie Winnicki Mike Moken |
Michelle Veneri Tom Owen |
Alexandra Sterling Corey Cobb |
|
Mike Marciano |
Andrew Slocum |
Dan Castiglione |
|
Laura Tedeschi |
Jerilyn DiMicco |
Angela Solitto |
THE HAPPY COUPLES 2003
TWO couples now tie the knot as a smaller group of students go through the joys of matrimony.
EUROPEAN Honeymoon Travel Brochures add a new dimension to the event.
AND...The BRIDAL PARTY had NO idea what NEW TASK was waiting for them in 2003!
COUPLE
|
7-11 GREEK WEDDING TERRY McMAHON
JULIE MATSUTANI |
7-12 HINDU WEDDING ANDREW SMITH
JACKIE DANIELS |
|
Travis Breitenbruck |
Alex Gori |
|
Kim Harder |
Erin Griffith |
|
Katie Curtis Nicole Lindenbaum Meghan Lindstrom |
Alyssa Brown Gina Columbus Jessica Natalewicz |
|
Trevor Jones Zack Jones Dan Kenworthy |
Mike Colabella Matt Cuccinello Mike Winters |
Parents |
Chris Hildebrandt Kaleigh Kawa |
Joey Favia Nicole Simonetti |
Parents |
Kurt Loftus Melissa Walling |
Ryan Ross Amanda Hawkins |
|
Pedro Serrano |
Joe Buono |
|
Heather Ivins |
Alyssa Machette |
THE HAPPY COUPLES 2004
Two real GENTLEMEN made proposals on January 5, 2004
No Wonder the Girls said YES
COUPLE
|
7-11 ITALIAN WEDDING JON KONTOVAS
LAUREN MARCHETTI |
7-12 ANCIENT ROMAN WEDDING JOE GOBLE
KELLY GARRIDO |
|
Stephen McNelis |
Anthony Busby |
|
Jenna Dattolo |
Carly Koziol |
|
Dana Akerberg Katie Cook Stacey Perdek |
Colleen Grosse Natalie Ficetola Carissa Natalewicz |
|
Alex Daudier Bryan Dzugan Bobby Koste |
Nick LaGrou Frank Poalillo Justin Wahlers |
Parents |
Justin Joseph Morgan Pannullo |
Jesse Hallock Courtney Evan |
Parents |
Ryan Sibole Lindsey Mangogna |
Dan Durnian Marajke Masters |
|
Pete Savage |
Dan Gagliardi |
|
Danielle Marra |
Alyssa Perrotti |
THE HAPPY COUPLES 2005
The "WEDDING" takes a TWIST
In THIS Year. . .A Groom from 7-9 will marry a bride from 7-10, and a Groom from 7-10 will marry a bride from 7-9.
NO ONE saw THAT COMING!
Two daring GENTLEMEN make their unique proposals on January 4, 2005
No Wonder the Girls Look So Happy!
COUPLE
|
GERMAN WEDDING MIKE AURIEMMA
GABBY CAMERON |
MEXICAN WEDDING ANTHONY VIGLIOTTI
RANDI DISBROW |
|
Nick Shirley |
Bryan Nardone |
|
Emily Krebs |
Anais Paccione |
|
Nicole Binetti Becci Carey Jade Danner |
Sierra Binondo Chelsea Foiles Karissa Petrelesse |
|
Ricky Bandejas Matt Essington Paul Heatter |
Sam Centrella Bryan Miller Smeet Patel |
Parents |
Kyle Nelson Gianna Pizzella |
Christian Tunis Devin Grosse |
Parents |
Mike Carranante Chelsea Barreto |
Dylan Beaver Taylor Velardi |
|
John Applegate |
Nick Nieves |
|
Alana Jacobs |
Helene Daskolovitz |
THE HAPPY COUPLES 2006
The "WEDDING" takes another TWIST
THE WEDDING PARTY IS CHOSEN BY THE TEACHERS WITHOUT WARNING
COUPLE
|
7-13 Chinese Wedding NICK VITALE
JESSICA JOSEPH |
7-14 French Wedding VICTOR WILENTA
ANNA ICOVINO |
|
Matt Cain |
Nick Rucci |
|
Karlee Carchio |
Jessica Durnian |
|
Tara DeNucci Nichole Hung Stephanie Torode |
Krysten Brannick Jacki Curtis Stephanie Ulatowski |
|
Scott Butler Steven DiLeo Zach Kahl |
Adam Daudier Mike Davis Andrew Wright |
Parents |
Chris Carlucci Rachel Marino |
Taylor Almonte Anthony Martino |
Parents |
Ryan Hughes Alyssa Lindenbaum |
Chris Mnich Courtney Vindigni |
|
Brandon Otiepka |
Kevin Brennan |
|
Nikki Columbus |
Chelsea Florczak |
THE HAPPY COUPLES 2007
DOUBLE the PLEASURE!
THERE IS A DOUBLE GREEK WEDDING CEREMONY
COUPLE
|
7-9 DOUBLE GREEK JOEY BENCH
CORTNEY HAGAMAN |
7-10 DOUBLE GREEK AUSTIN STARK
BRENNA PUZA |
|
Zack Zeiner |
Chris Parlow |
|
Kathleen Pierce |
Mercedes Marchetti |
|
Nicole Andrukite Lauren DeIudicibus Mikayla Serafin |
Kelsey D'Andrea Jenna Gellis Jordan Koziol |
|
Jimmy Sakers Jonathan Valencia Tom Winters |
Vinny Favia Alex Hascha Nick Nesser |
Parents |
Shawn Harris Brianna Kamen |
Kevin Boyles Alyssa Sparano |
Parents |
Evan Ventura Breanna Bozzett |
Greg Kamback Franny Kieffer |
|
Todd Scofidi |
Armani Paccione |
|
Samantha Sadler |
Jillian Higgins |
THE HAPPY COUPLES 2008
COUPLE
|
JEWISH WEDDING EUGENE FILIK
MARY ANODIDE |
ITALIAN WEDDING STEVEN CIMMINO
MARLO COLABELLA
|
|
Matt Jones |
Vinny Vecchio |
|
Kraemer Clayton |
Evelyn Tejada |
|
Allie Nesser Kelly Petillon Megan Sweeney |
Kaileigh Allen Rachel Hansen Catherine Russomanno |
|
Doug Cuccinello
Harry Eaton Anthony Goble |
Nick Auriemma Luke Parsons Jeff Rankel |
Parents |
Anthony Loupos Lyndsay Solomon |
Dan Wojtaszek Marissa Stroud |
Parents |
John Carey Anna-Marie Lambusta |
Bradford Smith Samantha Cimino |
|
Monil Mehta |
Shane Duke |
|
Dana Van De Vaarst |
Maria Alvarez |
WEDDING
HISTORY
Tradition Behind the Wedding Engagement
Most couples plan a year-long engagement to make preparations for their wedding, although some of the most popular wedding specialists can be booked from 12 to 18 months in advance.
In the earliest days of the human race, the betrothal ritual involved an exchange of gifts or property from the groom-to-be to the bride-to-be's parents. This was not only ceremonial, but an important part of the marriage contract because the bride's family was losing her to another lineage forever, and sought compensation for this. The betrothal eventually gave way in the eighteenth century to a courtship whereby a groom chose his bride for reasons of love.
Following the era of the arranged marriage when the groom would specify the exact payment he offered for his future wife, the formality of a groom asking the bride-to-be's father for her hand in marriage preserves a trace of history and often serves to cement the relationship between the groom to-be and his future father-in-law.
Origin of the Engagement Ring
Engagement, or betrothal, rings date back to the ancient days of marriage by purchase when gold rings were circulated as currency. The groom-to-be would offer his bride-to-be a gold ring both as his partial payment and as a symbol of his intentions.
Brides-to-be in these earlier times wore woven bands made of rush (a flexible marsh plant with hollow stems), and replaced them each year. Roman brides-to-be wore rings made of iron to symbolize the permanent, unending nature of marriage. During Medieval times, grooms-to-be placed the ring on three of the bride's fingers in turn to represent the Holy Trinity -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Some brides choose their birthstone or favorite gemstone in a setting enhanced with diamonds.
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Garnet, the birthstone of January, is regarded to symbolize eternal friendship. The garnet is a semi-transparent, dark red gemstone.
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According to biblical folklore, amethyst a February birthstone, is a symbol of faithfulness and sincerity. This gem is a clear purple or bluish violet quartz widely used in various types of jewelry.
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Aquamarine, the March birthstone is a transparent blue, bluegreen, or green gemstone. It is said to symbolize intelligence and courage.
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Diamonds, the birthstone of April, are believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits and represent innocence and matrimonial happiness. While most diamonds appear colorless, others offer a hint of color ranging from a soft blue to light yellow.
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Emerald, the birthstone of May is a symbol of domestic harmony and success in love. This gem is a transparent green stone.
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The pearl is said to reflect health and longevity, and is the birthstone of June.
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The July birthstone, a red corundum, is the symbol of love and contentment. Legend suggests that a ruby engagement ring will darken in color if the course of true love is not running smoothly.
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The sardonyx, the birthstone of August, is a white-and-brown variety of the onyx.
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The sapphire is said to bring its wearer good health and good fortune. The birthstone for September represents truth and faithfulness. This gemstone is from the same family as the ruby, but is rich blue in color.
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The opal, an October birthstone, symbolizes hope. This gem is often marked with an iridescent mixture of colors against a soft, milky white ground or a vivid, fiery ground.
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Fidelity is expressed in topaz a November birthstone, which is a yellow to yellow-brown transparent gemstone.
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Turquoise, a blue, bluish-green, or green gem is the December birthstone. It is said to represent prosperity.
Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gifts
1st: paper 2nd: cotton 3rd: leather 4th: fruit and flower; linen 5th: wood 6th: sugar and sweet; iron 7th: wool; copper 8th: bronze and rubber 9th: pottery and willow 10th: tin; aluminum 11th: steel 12th: silk and fine linen 13th: lace 14th: ivory 15th: crystal 20th: china 25th: silver 30th: pearls; ivory 35th: coral; jade 40th: rubies 45th: sapphires 50th: gold 55th: emeralds 60th: diamonds |
PROPOSAL
In the past when the marriage proposal was a more formal procedure, the prospective groom sent his friends or members of his family to represent his interests to the prospective bride and her family. If they saw a blind man, a monk or a pregnant woman during their journey it was thought that the marriage would be doomed if they continued their journey as these sights were thought to be bad omens.
If, however, they saw nanny goats, pigeons or wolves these were good omens which would bring good fortune to the marriage.
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.
SURNAMES
It was thought unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose surname began with the same letter as hers. The sentiment was summarized in the following rhyme:
To change the name and not the letter
Is to change for the worst and not the better
The bride should not practice writing her new name before the wedding. This is thought to bring bad luck by tempting fate.
CHOOSING THE DAY
Although most weddings now take place on a Saturday it was considered unlucky in the past. Fridays were also considered unlucky particularly Friday the 13th. The famous old rhyme advises a wedding in the first half of the week:
Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday for no luck at all
Advice on which month to marry in is given by the following rhyme:
Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man.
Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see
Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.
Marry in May and you'll live to rue the day
May has been considered an unlucky month to marry in for a number of reasons. In Pagan times the start of summer was when the festival of Beltane was celebrated with outdoor orgies. This was therefore thought to be an unsuitable time to start married life. In Roman times the Feast of the Dead and the festival of the goddess of chastity both occurred in May. The advice was taken more seriously in Victorian times than it is today. In most Churches the end of April was a busy time for weddings as couples wanted to avoid being married in May. Queen Victoria is thought to have forbidden her children from marrying in May.
Marry in Lent, live to repent
Lent was thought an inappropriate time for a wedding as this was a time of abstinence.
June was considered to be a lucky month to marry in because it is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of love and marriage.
The Summer as a whole was considered a good time to marry and this is partly to do with the sun's association with fertility. In Scotland one popular custom was for the bride to "walk with the sun" to bring her good. She would walk from east to west on the south side of the church and then continue walking around the church three times.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW ...
Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in your shoe
The rhyme originated in Victorian times although some of customs referred in it are much older.
The "something old" represents the couples friends who will hopefully remain close during the marriage. Traditionally this was old garter which given to the bride by a happily married woman in the hope that her happiness in marriage would be passed on to the new bride.
"Something new" symbolizes the newlyweds' happy and prosperous future.
The "something borrowed" is often lent by the bride's family and is an item much valued by the family. The bride must return the item to ensure good luck.
The custom of the bride wearing "something blue" originated in ancient Israel where the bride wore a blue ribbon in her hair to represent fidelity.
The placing of a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe was to ensure wealth in the couples married life. Today some brides substitute a penny in their shoe during the ceremony as silver sixpences are less common.
THE WEDDING DRESS
It is thought unlucky for the bride to make her own wedding dress.
It is also unlucky for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before until she arrives at the ceremony.
The bride should not wear her entire outfit before the wedding day. Some brides leave a final stitch on the dress undone until it is time to leave for the ceremony when the outfit is completed.
WEDDING DRESS COLOUR Most brides today marry in white which symbolizes maidenhood. This tradition started by the rich in sixteenth century. The tradition was given a boost by Queen Victoria who chose to marry in white instead of silver which was the traditional colour of Royal brides. Before the white dress brides wore their best dress. The colour was a matter of preference. The following is a traditional rhyme offering advice on dress colour:
Married in White, you have chosen right,
Married in Blue, your love will always be true,
Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,
Married in Brown, you will live in town,
Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in Pink, your spirit will sink,
Married in Grey, you will go far away,
Married in Black, you will wish yourself back.
A green dress is thought to be unlucky unless the bride is Irish. The old expression that a woman has a 'green gown' was used to imply promiscuity, the green staining being due to rolling in grassy fields.
THE VEIL
Traditionally, brides have been thought to be particularly vulnerable to evil spirits and many of the customs and traditions associated with weddings are to provide protection. The veil was originally worn by Roman brides. It was thought that it would disguise the bride and therefore outwit malevolent spirits.
The veil became popular in Britain in the eighteen hundreds. In this country it is associated with modesty and chastity.
In some Eastern ceremonies the bride is veiled and the groom is not allowed to see the bride's face until after the wedding ceremony.
In some Jewish weddings there is a ritual where the groom ensures that the bride is his intended before placing the veil over her face.
FLOWERS
Flowers have always been used for decoration at weddings.
Some people choose the flowers at the wedding on the basis of their symbolic meaning. For example orange blossom has always been associated with weddings because it signifies purity and chastity.
Peonies are avoided by some as they represent shame; azaleas represent temperance: roses symbolize love and snowdrops represent hope.
A combination of red and white flowers is avoided by the superstitious because they stand for blood and bandages.
However, people from different regions may attach other meanings to the same flower. For example lilies symbolize majesty to some but are thought unlucky by others because of their association with death.
The groom often chooses a flower for his buttonhole which also occurs in the bride's bouquet. This is a vestige of the time when a Knight would wear his Lady's colours to display his love.
ON THE WAY TO THE WEDDING
When the bride is ready to leave the house for the wedding ceremony a last look in the mirror will bring her good luck. However returning to the mirror once she has began her journey will result in bad luck.
Seeing a chimney sweep on the way to a wedding is though to bring good luck and it is still possible to hire one to attend wedding ceremonies. Other good luck omens when seen on the way to the ceremony include lambs, toads, spiders, black cats and rainbows.
Seeing an open grave, a pig, a lizard, or hearing a cockerel crow after dawn are all thought to be omens of bad luck. Monks and nuns are also a bad omen. This may be because the are associated with poverty and chastity. They are also though to signal a dependence on charity by the newlyweds.
Bad weather on the way to the wedding is thought to be an omen of an unhappy marriage, although in some cultures rain is considered a good omen. Cloudy skies and wind are believed to cause stormy marriages. Snow on the other hand is associated with fertility and wealth.
BRIDESMAIDS
Bridesmaids were dressed in a similar way to the bride for the same reason as the origin of veil. The bridesmaids were thought to act as decoys to confuse evil spirits and thus protect the bride.
THE COUPLE'S FIRST PURCHASE
It is said that the first partner who buys a new item after the wedding will be the dominant one in the relationship. Many brides ensure that they make the first purchase by arranging to buy a small item such as a pin from the chief bridesmaid immediately after the ceremony.
THE WEDDING CAKE
Cutting the wedding cake is now part of the ritual celebrations at the reception. The couple make the first cut together to symbolize their shared future.
Cakes have been associated with weddings throughout history. The Romans shared a cake during the wedding ceremony itself. This was not the rich fruit-cake we enjoy today. It was a plain confection made from wheat flour, salt and water. The Fijians and Some Native American tribes still incorporate cake in the wedding ceremonies.
In Britain early cakes were flat and round and contained fruit and nuts which symbolize fertility.
In the past the custom was to throw many small cakes over the bride in a similar way in which we throw confetti today. A modification of this custom was to crumble cake over the brides head and in some versions to break the cake over the Bride's head. In Scotland Oat Cakes were used for this purpose. This was done to promote fertility.
In Yorkshire a plate holding wedding cake was thrown out of the window as the bride returned to her parental home after the wedding. If the plate broke she would enjoy a happy future with her husband but if the plate remained intact her future would be grim.
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 insured happiness for the next year.
The shape of the modern three tiered iced cake is believed to have been inspired by the spire of Saint Bride's Church in the City of London. It is said that unmarried guests who place a piece of wedding cake under their pillow before sleeping will increase there prospects of finding a partner and bridesmaids who do likewise will dream of their future husbands.
The top tier of the cake is often kept by couples for the christening of their first child.
CONFETTI
Confetti is Italian for sweets which in Italy are thrown over the couple as they emerge from the Church in that same way we use paper confetti. Raisins and nuts may also be used.
Before the use of paper confetti the married couple were showered with flowers, petals, rice or grains. This was to bestow prosperity and fertility on the couple.
SHOES
In the past there have been a number of customs involving shoes which were thought to bring good luck. The best known, which is still upheld, is to tie shoes to the back of the newlyweds' car. This has evolved from the Tudor custom where guests would throw shoes at the newlywed couple. It was considered lucky if they or their carriage were hit.
Less well known is for the bride's father to give the groom a pair of the bride's shoes to symbolize the passing of responsibility for the daughter to her new husband. A variation of the custom is for the groom to tap the bride on the forehead with one of the shoes to assert his dominance.
The custom of the bride throwing her bouquet shoulder, described below, was originally performed by her throwing one of her shoes over her shoulder.
BOUQUET
After the reception the bride throws her bouquet back over her shoulder where the unmarried female guest group together. Tradition holds that the one who catches the bouquet will be the next one of those present to marry.
A parallel custom is for the groom to remove the garter worn by the bride and throw it back over his shoulder toward the unmarried male guests. Again the one who catches it will be the next to marry.
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD
After the wedding the bride must enter the new marital home through the main entrance. It is traditional for the groom to carry the bride over the threshold when they enter for the first time. The reason for this is uncertain. One explanation is that the bride will be visited by bad luck if she falls when entering. An alternative is that the bride will be unlucky if she steps into the new home with the left foot first. The bride can avoid both mishaps by being carried. A third explanation is that it symbolizes the old Anglo-Saxon custom of the groom stealing his bride and carrying her off.
Hindu's have a similar tradition. The bride is carried by her new husband so that she does not touch the threshold when entering her new home.
THE BEST MAN
It is the best man's duty to protect the groom from bad luck. He must ensure that once the groom has began his journey to the church he does not return for any reason.
He must also arrange for the groom to carry a small mascot or charm in his pocket on the wedding day.
When the best man is paying the church minister's fee he should pay him an odd sum to bring luck to the couple.
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