WEDDING CUSTOMS & TRADITIONS: A COMPENDIUM

Weddings are often remembered as the best day of your life and, as anyone who has walked that aisle knows, there are many important traditions to ensure a successful marriage. On such an auspicious occasion what bride or groom wants to risk bad luck by wearing the wrong colour, seating the guests incorrectly or serving the wrong coloured food at the reception? Many of the social rules for a successful wedding are steeped in time, custom and superstition yet these traditions are just as popular today as yesterday. Like all folklore they are pearls of wisdom gleaned from experience and passed on down from family to family, friend to friend. Remember: Grandma was usually right!

This handy and entertaining guide explains the fascinating origins of wedding lore so you too can ensure good luck from courtship to marriage.

Contents

When will I be married? Traditional sayings predicting weddings
Marry me, please. The Proposal

1. The Engagement

2. Hey, maybe we should elope?

3. Four cows and a pig. The Dowry

4. Bridal shower

5. Buck’s and hen’s night out. Pre-wedding parties

6. Trousseau

7. Glory Box

8. The Wedding Register

9. When to Marry

10. The Invitation

12a. The Big Day - Wedding Day (this being a book on traditions we couldn’t have 13)

1. The Ritual Bath

2. The Wedding Dress

3. The Veil

4. Something old, new, borrowed , blue

5. Beware and behold - good and bad luck.

6. You want me to sign WHAT! The pre-nuptial agreement

7. Bridesmaids, Grooms and Attendants

8. Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride

9. position, Position, Position - who sits where?

10. Church, Temple or Backyard Ceremony?

Wedding rings

Who gives this woman to be wed?

1. Breaking the glass

2. Waltz on down the aisle

3. Flowers for my true love

4. The secret language of flowers

5. The Bridal Party

6. The Wedding Cake

7. Speeches

8. Oh no, telegrams and emails.

9. All in the name of love - Wedding Music

10. The Bridal Waltz and Wedding Kiss

11. No rice or confetti, please!

12. Tossing the Bridal Bouquet and Garter

13. Just Married!

14. The Honeymoon

15. Carrying the bride over the threshold

16. Wedding anniversaries