You probably know the standard saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” But there are a host of traditions surrounding a wedding – some of which are still around, others which have been discarded like a wilted bridal bouquet. Here are a few that used to be a “thing.” Will they make a comeback? We’ll see. PLANTING A TREE In some European countries, the couple would plant a…
Weddings are one of the biggest Life Occasions around – and they are by no means “one size fits all.” Around the world, wedding traditions surrounding this happy event are as varied as there are places on the map. In the Congo, for example, couples are forbidden to smile throughout the entire wedding ceremony (to show how seriously they’re taking their commitment). In Greece, the groom’s best friend gives him…
<<< Continued from Page 1 Celtic rings & puzzle rings (continued) In puzzle rings (a.k.a. gimmels), bringing together multiple parts into one meaningful whole symbolized the union of the bride and groom. In the case of the hands over the heart – a type of puzzle ring called a fede ring – the image served as a token of trust. With the puzzle ring came a new twist on the…
In modern culture, we have grown used to the idea that when a man asks for a woman’s hand in marriage, he presents her with an engagement ring. Let’s look at how rings became associated with an everlasting bond between romantic partners. Development in Ancient Egypt In about 3000 BC, a Pharaoh in Egypt bestowed a ring on the woman he wanted to take as his wife. He used a…