Interesting WEDDING reads. :)

A little something fun about weddings. Hope you enjoy it.

Taken from Wedding Essentials Magazine 
(Volume 4 Issue 1) January 2008-June 2008

The Wedding Veil

Many stories enshroud the wedding wail’s history - as centuries, cultures and civilization pass, its symbolism changes meaning and evolves according to the times.

In the time of the Roman Empire, brides possessed brightly colored veils to ward off evil spirits. People believed that demons schemed to steal bride from their future husbands before any marriage could take place. The veil acted as cocoon, completely concealing the bride's face, to deter the spirits from pursuing their malicious intentions.

The veil has also become a popular symbol for a bride's chastity. Other stories say that bridal veils were borne out of cultures that necessitated arranged marriages. Veils were said to cover a bride's face so a man could not back out of a deal, even if he was not attracted to his bride.

The White Wedding Dress

Nothing spells tradition more than a simplistic rhyme passed on from centuries before:

by oscar dela renta

Married in White, you have chosen right
Married in Green, ashamed to be seen
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 Pink, your spirit will sink
Married in Grey, you will go far away
Married in Black, you will wish yourself back

Something Old, Something New...

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver six pence in your shoe.

Something Old. This serves as the bride's link to yhe history of her family, a connection to the past. It can also symbolize ties with old friends that will hopefully remain strong even after the marriage takes place. Something New. This bespeaks hope for the future. Anything from a brand new bridal dress to a brand new hairstyle can symbolize the optimism and anticipation a bride feels for her married future. Something Borrowed. A strong sign of good luck, this indicates the link the bride has between herself, and family and friends. Something Blue. This color symbolizes fidelity and everlasting love. This tradition is said to have originated in ancient Israel, where brides wore blue ribbons in their hair and as trim in their matrimonial dress to symbolize their faithfulness and modesty. Silver six pence in a shoe. This symbolizes the prosperity and wealth that a couple hopes for once they are married.

The Wedding Date

Today, picking the right date to get married depends on available schedules (for the practical), feng shui (for the superstitious) and memorable events (for the sentimental).

In England, a traditional rhyme summarized which day out of the week was best for getting hitched.

Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday best day of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
And Saturday no luck at all.

Another rhyme speaks of which month out of an entire year is best for tying the knot:

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 wind blows, 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 grew, over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labor for their daily bread.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September's shine, 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.

The Wedding Cake

Many people may take the wedding cake for granted, but truth be told, several customs and traditions are linked to it, making it a rich part of the culture weddings across many continents.

The cutting of the cake. The first slice, which the husband and wife make together, symbolizes the unity that binds them in their wedded future.

The Wedding Toss

Confetti. Confetti, in Italy, refers to sweet confections without which Italian wedding would not be complete. In Roman times, honey-coated seeds were used but the transiting has grown to include candy-coated almonds set inside tulle flowers as well as raisins and nuts. Sugar was seen as a symbol of fertility, and today, these sugared confections have been replaced by colorful bits of paper. Rice. Pagan traditions had grains and seeds thrown over the happy couple-symbolizing the fertility of crops. This tradition began in oriental countries and spread later on to the West during the Middle Ages. Coins. In Southern France, wedding guests toss coins at the children who would wait just outside the chapel doors. They would also shower them with dragees, French delicacies made of chocolate covered almonds.