Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue for the bride.
There are the father daughter dance, the dollar dance which both the bride and groom can participate in.
There's usually a toast done by the brides family to welcome the new groom and one from the groom's family to welcome the new bride into the family.
Those are some traditional things, but you can do what you and your groom want to do.
Decorating the "get-away car"
Thowing bird seed (used to use rice, but it kills birds).
Congratulations!
2007-04-16 12:18:08
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answer #1
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answered by Starla_C 7
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The bride traditionally wears “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” (See also Ceremonial clothing in Western cultures.)
The bride usually wears a white dress.
Clinking silverware against glassware obliges the newlyweds to kiss.
A color scheme is often used so that the invitation matches the bridesmaids' dresses and the table settings.
A Christian or mainstream wedding and reception follow a similar pattern to the Italian wedding. Customs and traditions vary with part of the country, ethnic group, social group, and so on, but components include the following:
The bride's family sends engraved invitations to the wedding guests, addressed by hand to show the importance and personal meaning of the occasion.
Guests send or deliver wedding gifts to the bride's family home before the wedding day.
A wedding ceremony takes place at a church or other favorite location, such as an attractive outdoor venue.
At the wedding reception following the ceremony, sometimes at the same location but sometimes at a different venue:
The bridal party lines up in a receiving line and the wedding guests file past, introducing themselves.
Usually snacks or a meal are served while the guests and bridal party mingle.
Often the best man and/or maid of honor toast the bride and groom with personal thoughts, stories, and well-wishes; sometimes other guests follow with their own toasts. Champagne, sparkling cider, or nonalcoholic carbonated drinks are usually provided for this purpose.
If dancing is provided, the bride and groom first dance together. Often further protocol is followed, where they dance first with their respective mother and father, then possibly with the maid of honor and best man; then the bride and groom rejoin while the parents of the bride and groom join the dance and the best man and maid of honor dance together; then other attendants join in; then finally everyone is entitled to dance. Dancing continues throughout the reception. Music is sometimes provided by a live band or musical ensemble, sometimes by a disc jockey with stereo equipment.
In some cultures, the money dance takes place, in which it is expected and encouraged for guests to pin money onto the young bride and groom to help them get started in their new lives in a new household. In other cultures, this would be considered vulgar.
The cake-cutting ceremony takes place; the bride and groom jointly hold a cake cutter--often a special silver keepsake cutter purchased or given as a gift for the occasion--and cut the first pieces of the wedding cake. They then entwine arms and feed each other a bite of cake.
In some social groups, the bride and groom smear cake on each other's faces at this time. In other social groups, this would be considered vulgar.
A new bride tossing her bouquet over her shoulder.The bride tosses her bouquet over her shoulder to the assembled unmarried women; the woman who catches it, superstition has it, will be the next to marry. In some social groups, the process is repeated for unmarried men with the groom tossing the bride's garter for the same purpose.
Gifts are not opened at the reception; they are either opened ahead of time and sometimes displayed at the reception, or if guests could not deliver gifts ahead of time, they are placed on a table at the reception for the bride and groom to take home with them and open later
Are you having a non denominational weddin or religious?
2007-04-16 12:27:14
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answer #2
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answered by ProudMama 2
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THE ENGAGEMENT
ENGAGEMENT RING
The engagement ring is a promise for marriage. During the Roman era, the man had to "barter" for his future bride. The engagement ring was security for the "betrothed." As time went on, men presented diamond rings to future brides because a ring containing a diamond was considered more valuable than a plain gold band -- thus, it is a stronger promise and offers more security.
BACHELOR PARTY
This was the last chance before his new wife took over the finances for the groom to gather money by gambling for his own future use.
BRIDAL SHOWER
This custom came about when a father disapproved of his daughter's marriage and refused to provide a dowry to the couple. The shower became the alternative to the dowry. Supportive villagers would assemble and provide the bride a variety of household items for her new home.
DOWRY/HOPE CHEST AND TROUSSEAU
There was a time when marriage would include some exchange of property between the families of the bride and groom. The groom's family would pay a price to the bride's family for the bride. The bride's family in turn would provide the couple with a dowry of various household items for their new home. As a bride planned for her future marriage, she would supplement this dowry with her own items that she collected or made (i.e. embroidered linens). All items would be kept in a special Hope Chest built by the bride's father for the purpose of holding the dowry.
The trousseau included all the clothing and property which a bride brought with her to the marriage. Today, the trousseau includes all wedding and shower gifts as well as new purchases.
WEDDING BANNS
This is an announcement of an impending wedding in the Catholic Church. This announcement usually takes place for three consecutive Sundays. Its purpose was to inform the public with enough notice of the pending wedding so if anyone objected to the marriage, they could do so.
THE WEDDING CEREMONY
WEDDING RING
The marriage ring represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love. It is a representation of the promises joining both the bride and groom together. The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was traditionally believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart -- the perfect place to place a symbol, representing eternal love and commitment.
THE BEST MAN
Among the Goths, Visagoths, and Vandals it was most common to marry within their own tribe or village. At times there would be a shortage of women in which case the Groom would have to go and kidnap a Bride from the neighbors. The "Best Man" was the best of the groom's friends with his weapons who would go with the groom as an armed guard. Likewise at the ceremony he was on guard fully armed to ensure the bride's family did not rescue her before the ceremony could take place. In some instances he would also stand guard over the honeymoon cottage incase they tried to reclaim her before the marriage was consumated.
ALTAR POSITIONING
This tradition dates back to the time when marriage might take place by capture. By having the bride stand to the groom's left, the groom would have his right hand free for his sword if he needed it for defense.
SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE
In the middle ages most people never went more than 50 miles from where they were born. A Bride or Groom could be married 10 towns over and no one would ever know or even worse the couple could be brother and sister and they would never know. So the question "Does anyone here know of any reason why these two should not be joined..." it was a serious one. One that if you did not speak up then and there you bound yourself to silence.
ARCH OF SWORDS FOLLOWING CEREMONY
Walking through the arc of swords following the ceremony was done to ensure the couple's safe passage into their new life together.
BREAKING OF GLASS
A Jewish tradition that in it's religious form represents the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. In it's cultural form it is a wish that the couples marriage last longer than it would take for all the pieces of broken glass to reassemble themselves and all of their troubles be as easily shattered. Many times couple save the pieces of glass from the ceremony in a symbolic box or used to make a door blessing.
BRIDAL GOWN (WHITE)
There was a time when the bride would wear her favorite dress to the ceremony. In 1840, Queen Victoria wore an elegant all white gown to her wedding. She started a fashion trend which quickly caught on and continues to this very day. White was worn because people believed it represented affluence, virginity and purity. In Chinese culture the gown was traditionally Red because Red is the color of life and white the color of death so even in modern western ceremonies most Chinese Brides choose Ivory or off white.
BRIDAL VEIL
Traditionally the bridal veil was a symbol for modesty, respect and virginity. The veil served as a reminder to all witnessing the ceremony that the physical relationship was entered into only after the vows were exchanged and the marriage became official with the seal of a kiss. The veil was removed after the vows were exchanged and the couple was pronounced "Man and Wife."
CHILD ATTENDANTS
Children were originally included in the ceremony to add innocence. They are traditionally kept closest to the Bride as a fertility symbol.
FATHER GIVING THE BRIDE AWAY
This custom originally had it's roots in arranged marriages where the bride was considered property. Later, this custom persisted as a symbol with two meanings: an endorsement by the father to all witnessing the ceremony that the groom is the best choice for his daughter. and an offering to the groom: "I am presenting to you my daughter."
FLOWERS AND THE TOSSING OF THE BOUQUET
Flowers were incorporated into the ceremony because they represent fertility, purity, new life and never ending love. Traditionally, bouquets were a mixture of flowers and herbs. Dill was a very popular choice as an herb because it was believed to promote lust. Following the ceremony, the dill was eaten for that purpose.
Tossing of the bridal bouquet is a custom which has it's roots in England. It was believed that the bride could pass along good fortune to others. In order to obtain this fortune, spectators would try to tear away pieces of the bride's clothing and flowers. In an attempt to get away, the bride would toss her bouquet into the crowd. Tradition says that the unattached women who catches the bouquet is the one who receives the bride's fortune and will marry next.
THE GRAND EXIT AFTER THE RECEPTION
Traditionally, old shoes were tied to the back of the car to represent the transfer of property from the father of the bride to the groom. Horn honking, the shooting off of firecrackers and ringing of bells were a means to protect the bride by warding off evil spirits.
GROOM ENTERING CHURCH FIRST/GROOM EXCHANGING FIRST VOW
Both of these customs signify that the groom is the covenant initiator. Because he is the initiator, he is the first to state his vow for marriage. As the initiator of the covenant, the groom is to assume the greatest responsibility in the marriage.
HUPPAH
In the Jewish religion, the ceremony takes place as the couple stands under an ornamental canopy. This canopy symbolized nomadic tents of Israel and the new home that the couple would soon share.
KISS
No ceremony is complete without the kiss. In fact, there was a time when an engagement would be null and void without one. Dating back from early Roman times, the kiss represented a legal bond that sealed all contracts.
PRONOUNCED "MAN AND WIFE"
This is the point of time when the marriage becomes official. It is also at this point that the bride officially changes her name.
RECEIVING LINE
This is a chance for the guests to congratulate and greet the newly married couple and their parents.
RECEPTION, FOOD AND WINE
The reception is the official celebration of the new couple. The wedding cake represents the sharing of the bride and groom's body to become one. The drinking of wine symbolizes the sharing of the bride's and groom's life together with God.
SIGNING OF WEDDING PAPERS AND THE SIGNING OF THE GUEST BOOK
The signing of the marriage certificate documents a public record of the marriage. The guest book was a record of all people who witnessed the wedding. For that reason, the guest book is supposed to be signed following the official wedding ceremony.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE
You may have heard the saying that the bride is to wear "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue." And, although you know that most brides perform this ritual, you're probably wondering why they do this and what it means. Each part of this saying holds some form of traditional significance. The old and new items represent the passage from the single status to the married status. The borrowed item represents the participation and approval of the wedding by family, friends and the community. Something blue is a symbol of purity, love and fidelity. In England, this saying goes on further to include "...and a lucky sixpence in your shoe" which brides will still do.
TAKING OF EACH OTHER'S RIGHT HAND
The open right hand is a symbol of strength, resource and purpose. The coming together of both right hands is a symbol that both the bride and the groom can depend on each other and the resources that each brings to the marriage. It also represents the merger of their lives together into one.
THROWING OF THE GARTER
This ritual dates back to a time when woman wore hose with a garter. It was a chance for the single men to share in the good fortune of the groom. Today, it is believed that the man who catches the garter when it is thrown will be the next to marry.
THROWING OF RICE, FLOWERS
When thrown as the couple exited the church, throwing of rice and flowers represented the wish for the couple to have a fruitful and plentiful life together. Originally rice and wheat were thrown over the married couple to represent the hope for fertility.
When rose pedals are thrown before the bride as she walks down the aisle, it is a symbol of the blossoming of love the flowering of romance, with the seeds inside speaking of abundance and prosperity.
When bubbles are blown the intention in the mind of the person blowing turns the bubble into a rainbow encapsulated prayer that when it bursts the petition is released.
Bells again the intention with which it is rung is carried on the soundwave as a prayer to the soul of the Universe.
UNITY CANDLE
The unity candle is a symbol of family unity. Usually a single candle (representing the newly married couple) is lit with two individual candles, each representing the bride's and groom's families.
WEDDING FAVORS
Wedding favors are momentos of the special occasion given to each wedding guest to thank them for sharing the momentous occasion with the bride and groom.
WHITE AISLE RUNNER
The white aisle runner symbolized God's holiness and walking on holy ground. It is believed that marriage is not just between two individuals but includes the presence of God who is actively involved in the marriage ceremony.
FOLLOWING THE RECEPTION
CARRYING THE BRIDE OVER THE THRESHOLD
This was done to protect the bride from any evil spirits which may be hiding beneath the threshold. The groom would carry his beautiful bride to safety and happiness so they could start their new lives together.
HONEYMOON
This was a chance for the new couple to hide from family and friends for a period of time. Honey was for the honey wine called "Mead" that they were encouraged to drink to sweeten their disposition to one another. In the middle ages it was entirely possable they had never met before their wedding day. Moon was for the month they would spend together to learn the manner of husbands and wives. If there was opposition to the marriage the honeymoon was the time in which the Bride and Groom would flee and hope for a quick pregnancy to solidify the marriage.
SHIVARE
This custom dates back from the Middle Ages. A group of friends would gather and bang on pots and pans, shoot off guns, etc. to disturb the newlywed couple on their wedding night.
INTERNATIONAL TRADITIONS
Following is a list traditions, customs and rituals throughout the world. Some of these are still followed at weddings today.
If an English bride passed a chimney sweep on her way to the church, and the chimney sweep kissed her, it was considered good luck.
In Holland and Switzerland a pine tree, a symbol of fertility and luck, was once planted outside a new couple's home.
In South Africa, both bride's and groom's parents carried a fire from the hearths of their own homes and took this fire to the new couple's home to begin the fire in their home.
In Armenia, two white doves were set free to symbolize love and happiness.
The wedding cake in Bermuda was a multi-level fruitcake and included a small cedar tree on top. This tree was planted and is supposed to grow with the love of the bride and groom.
In Japan, brides change their bridal attire several times throughout the wedding day.
In England, the bride wouldn't allow her married name to be used before the wedding for it was considered bad luck.
In Italy, the groom's tie was cut into pieces and sold to the guests at the reception. The money earned is used for the honeymoon.
Flowers decorated the front of the bridal car in Italy so that the bride and groom would have happy travels throughout life together.
In Japan, ducks or a goose and gander were included in the processional because they mate for life and are a symbol for fidelity.
In Poland, guests paid to dance with the bride and this money is used for the honeymoon.
During the reception in Spain, wedding guests danced a special dance and then present gifts to the bride.
An early American custom -- the bride pinned a small pouch to her wedding petticoat. This pouch contained a small piece of bread, cloth, wood and a single one-dollar bill. This ensured that there would be enough food, clothes, shelter and money for the future couple.
2007-04-16 14:54:12
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answer #6
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answered by bountifiles 5
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