Or, we could title this, Important Facts About Random Stuff; whatever suits you best. In either case, it is fun information worth knowing.
Did you know that the bride and groom should not raise their glass when being toasted? You are being honored and therefore it is considered rude to toast yourselves. (Now that you know this, it will be interesting to see how many of you remember!)
The receiving line is a wonderful way to greet all of your ceremony guests and thank them for attending, but did you know it began with a different agenda? It was believed that the bride and groom were blessed and those who touched them would receive good luck as well.
It was believed to be good luck to garner a piece of clothing from the bride and groom. Often, as guests became intoxicated, guests would destroy the bride's dress to have a bit of lucky charm. The tradition began of tossing the bride's garter into the crowd to keep them at bay.
When the officiant says, "You may now kiss the bride," it is not purely in celebration. In Roman times, a legal bond is sealed with a kiss, therefore, you are signifying to your guests that you are entering into a life-long contract with each other.
As the mother of a 20 something, I wish to revert back to the original intent of a wedding shower when men would prove their interest by bringing gifts to the bride's father. Food, land, livestock, and money were given as "payment" for the bride. From this, the ritual evolved into the practive of men bringing gifts of clothes, jewels, gold, and dishes to the young lady to show he could provide well for her. Gentlemen, I'm sure the ladies would love to revive this ancient tradition.
We all know that whoever catches the tossed bouquet is expected to be the next to marry. But, did you know that this young lady should also take a small slice of the wedding cake and sleep with it under her pillow? Doing so will cause her to dream of her future husband on that night. Hmm, I'd like for someone to try this and let me know how it turns out!
Oddly, it seems there is also a bit of superstition regarding the making of the bride's dress although the information seems confused. Some believe that it brings good luck if the bride makes her own dress; others believe the opposite. I can guarantee that it would be bad luck for my daughter to make her own wedding dress!
And for a little fun, check out these rhymes:
Marry in white, you will do all right
Marry in blue, your man will be true
Marry in brown, you will live in town
Marry in green, you should be ashamed to be seen
Marry in red, wish yourself dead
Marry in black, better turn back
Marry in yellow, not marrying the right fellow
Marry in gray, sadness will come your way
Marry on Monday for wealth,
Tuesday for health,
Wednesday the very best day of all,
Thursday you will soon be counting your losses,
Friday your crosses,
and if married on Saturday, you will have no luck at all!
Ah, the good ol' days!
