WEDDING EVER AFTER: February 2013

Wedding Traditions and Folklore

Many of today's popular wedding ceremony and reception traditions can be traced to ancient Egyptian and European customs. These were often based on symbolism, superstition, folklore, religion, and even the belief that evil spirits could bring disease and death to newlyweds and crops, which was very important in many farm-based early cultures. Although the exact origin and usefulness of many of these early wedding traditions are not always clear, popular acceptance has allowed them to flourish. Besides, many of these wedding traditions are just plain fun!

According to various sources, some of the early marriages were literally carried out by the Groom and his "Bridesmen" (or "Bridesknights") who would kidnap a woman (the origin of "carrying a Bride over the threshold") from another tribe! The Groom and his fellow conspirators would then fight off the female's family of tribesmen with swords held in their right hand while the Groom would hold the captured Bride in his left hand, which is the origin of why a Bride stands on the left side of the Groom at a wedding.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my first ND bachelorette party. Soon after a bachelorette party comes the wedding, and this weekend, I was invited to celebrate with the bride and groom on their special day, which made this my first ND wedding.

It was an absolutely beautiful day in Carrington, ND after an absolutely horrible and stormy night in Cooperstown, ND. (4 inches of rain in one hour… not kidding). The wedding ceremony was held at one of the Lutheran Churches in town. (As most ND weddings are being that almost 40% of the population views themselves as Lutheran, the largest percentage of the population out of any state.)

While we did not attend the groom’s supper the night before, we were excited for the ceremony. (Really, I had no reason to mention that other than needed a wayto introduce a term I had never heard of until moving to ND).

HOW TO CHOOSE A WEDDING SINGER

1. LOOK IN THE RIGHT PLACES

Wedding Singing is quite a niche service and there may not be as many Wedding Singers out there as there are Wedding DJs, but they are still relatively easy to find, IF you know where to look of course! Online is your best bet as most good Wedding Singers know to advertise here, though you still might want to start with a few wedding magazines (The directory sections) and by attending some popular wedding fairs. When online Google will give you the most comprehensive and accurate results. You can use Google to find popular wedding directories such as Hitched, Confetti and Wedding Ideas. Search through their music and entertainment sections, but be sure not to limit a search to your own area, as most Wedding Singers will travel. The simplest and most straight forward way would be to type these search phrases (and variations of them) directly into Google for the most relevant results:

You've been dreaming about your wedding ever since you can remember, and now that you're engaged, you're excited to start the planning process. But planning a wedding isn't all fun and games -- there's a lot to do to prepare for your big day! If you're feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a wedding planner.
A wedding planner is a professional consultant who will help you with most (if not all) of the tasks involved in planning your wedding. From vendors, accessories, etiquette and even the smallest of details, this expert has the skills and contacts necessary to make your day come together seamlessly. Not to mention that hiring a wedding planner will help you enjoy the planning process more by taking stress out of the equation!
Is a wedding planner right for you? If you fit into one of these five categories of brides, then the answer might be yes.

One of the best ways to celebrate a wedding anniversary is by taking a trip together. A romantic trip at anniversary time gives you time to reconnect, reflect, and rekindle the passion that drew you together in the first place.

The best anniversary trip is a trip without kids and distractions. If you can afford it, splurge - on a great resort, an ocean cruise, a place you've always dreamed of visiting.

While not everyone can afford a trip to commemorate each anniversary, by putting aside some money every year you can plan to celebrate the major ones with a trip. I know one couple who deposited $5 in a jar every time they made love, and that covered their annual trip.

The Secondary Sponsors:

These are women and men whom the couple chooses to involve in their ceremony because of their affinity or friendship with them. They are typically relatives or close friends.

There are four sets of Secondary Sponsors:

Aside from planning your wedding date and venue, choosing the people who will be part of your wedding entourage is also one of the firsts and most important steps in your planning and preparing.

Who should you choose to be part of your wedding entourage?
Anyone from the bride and groom's family, relatives and close friends can play a role in the entourage. Remember that members of the entourage are not merely VIPs or wallflowers.

The Principal Sponsors

These are women and men whom the bride and groom respect & admire. They are, as in the early days of the Church, sponsors of the couple attesting to their readiness for marriage and freedom to marry. These are often aunts and uncles or close friends of the family. they are the official witnesses of the state and they sign the marriage license. Worldwide, their participation is symbolic of the wisdom & support they shall offer the new couple. The number of sponsors can vary from a single couple to many couples. The Principal sponsors are part of the bridal procession. At the nuptial blessing, they may also be invited to come up with the celebrant and to extend their right hands to join in the prayer of blessing. In doing so, they are fulfilling their roles as sponsors.

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAID OF HONOR AND MATRON OF HONOR

Maid of Honor vs Matron of Honor

The maid of honor and matron of honor both help the bride-to-be with almost everything she needs and will need before and after her wedding ceremony. Maids of honor are chosen because they are the most trusted friends of the bride. So what is the difference between a maid of honor and a matron of honor?

So, you thought choosing a wedding gown was exhausting? Now you have to deal with the bridesmaid dresses. This is the part of the wedding planning process where friendships are made or broken. Bridesmaids don't want to upstage the bride, but they do want to look -- well, not hideous. You've probably seen so many disastrous bridesmaid dresses in movies that they're a cliché. Oh, you know -- the Little-Bo-Peep dress with balloon sleeves, or the satin nightmare with puce stripes and a big ruffle to match.

This brief primer will help you inject some sanity into the search for the perfect apparel for your bridesmaids. Check it twice before you make a final decision. Your friends will thank you for your thoughtfulness.

HOW TO CHOOSE A BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES

Be a Good Friend
The quickest way to perturb your best friends? Invite them to be in your bridal party, then turn them into fashion victims. Don't dress your friends in something hideous so you'll look better in comparison, and try not to choose bridesmaid dresses that make your maids look heavy or sexless.

Remember that simple, elegant designs make every body happy. Don't go over the top with lots of details, embellishments, and accessories.

Superstition #5: The Groom Must Carry His New Wife Across The Threshold Of Their New Home To Prevent Bad Luck.

Origin: This tradition has a few origins. In Medieval Europe, it was scandalous for a woman to show enthusiasm about losing her virginity. By the groom carrying the bride over the threshold, she avoided looking too eager about consummating the marriage. Western Europeans, on the other hand, believed that a bride who tripped over the threshold of her new home would bring bad luck to her home and her marriage.

Superstition #4: The Bride And Groom Must Save The Top Layer Of Their Wedding Cake To Eat On Their First Anniversary.

Origin: To understand this tradition, you just have to think back to a familiar schoolyard rhyme: “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage!” It used to be thought that once a wedding took place, a baby was going to come shortly after, so therefore the wedding and christening ceremonies were often linked, as were the respective cakes that were baked for each occasion. With fancy, elaborate, multi-tiered wedding cakes becoming a major trend in the 19th century, the christening cake

Superstition #3: The Person Who Catches The Bride’s Bouquet Or Garter When She Tosses It Over Her Head Will Be The Next To Get Married.

Origin: The story behind this tradition is downright dirty. In medieval times, it was considered lucky to get a fragment of the bride’s clothing, so hordes of guests would follow the newlywed couple into their wedding chamber after the ceremony and stand around the bed, trying to rip pieces of the bride’s gown right off her body. Because dresses were often torn apart, brides searched for alternatives to preserve their gowns and began throwing their bouquets to distract guests while they made their getaway. When the bride and groom made it safely into their wedding chamber, the groom would then crack open the door and toss the bride’s garter to the throngs of people waiting outside as a way of saying that he was about to “seal the deal.”

The Surprising Truths Behind Common Wedding Superstitions
Find out the surprising origins behind the common wedding traditions!

Superstition #2: The Bride Must Wear Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed And Something Blue (And A Silver Sixpence In Her Shoe).

GROOM AND BRIDE MUST NOT SEE EACH OTHER BEFORE THE WEDDING

the Surprising Truths Behind Common Wedding Superstitions

Find out the surprising origins behind the common wedding traditions!

Some wedding traditions and superstitions are so engrained in our culture that we don’t even think to question them. But do you know why a bride tosses the bouquet over her head? For what possible reason would a couple save a layer of cake in their freezer for a year? And why do brides go to such lengths to keep their grooms from seeing their dresses before it’s time to walk down the aisle? Here, we explore the origins of five wedding superstitions and help you find ways to incorporate tradition into your special day along with a few fun, modern twists.

Superstition #1: It’s Bad Luck For The Groom To See The Bride In Her Wedding Dress Before The Ceremony.

Bridesmaids

You may choose as few or as many bridesmaids as you wish to be in your wedding (although generally 12 is the limit). Bridesmaids can be single or married and of any age, although girls between the ages of eight and 16 become junior bridesmaids and take on abridged responsibilities. The main role of a bridesmaid is to assist the maid of honor with her wedding-planning duties—especially the bridal shower—and help the bride as needed. Of course, bridesmaids walk in the processional and recessional. During the reception, they mostly mingle and dance with the groomsmen and other important guests.

RING BEARER ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Ring Bearer

The ring bearer is traditionally a boy who carries the wedding rings on a satin pillow (or symbolic rings, with the real rings being held by the honor attendants) down the aisle. The maid of honor and best man take the appropriate rings off the pillow (you may want to tie them on with an attached ribbon for safekeeping) and give them to the bride and groom. Like the flower girl, the ring bearer"s parents pay for his attire and arrange for his transportation.

GROOMSMEN ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Groomsmen

The groomsmen (sometimes referred to as ushers) have very few responsibilities before the wedding. Mainly, they help the best man plan and host the bachelor party (oh, and get fitted for a fabulous tuxedo). Of course, they should periodically check with the groom and best man to see if they can handle any other tasks.

On the wedding day, the groomsmen should arrive early at the ceremony site, ready to greet (and perhaps seat) guests. They'll be involved in the wedding, and are expected to remain at the reception for its entire duration.

BEST MAN ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Best Man

Like the maid of honor to the bride, the best man is the groom's biggest source of support. Generally, he is the groom's brother or best friend, and he can be married or single.

The best man's main role before the wedding is to organize the bachelor party. He helps coordinate the groomsmen's formalwear fitting, picks up the groom's attire before the wedding, orchestrates the toasts at the rehearsal party, and confirms the honeymoon travel reservations the day before.

Flower Girl

The flower girl is usually between the ages of four and eight, depending on her level of maturity. During the processional, she walks ahead of the bride, scattering flower petals in her path or simply carrying a pretty bouquet or basket. She should also be included in the wedding rehearsal so that she is comfortable with her role. Her parents are expected to pay for her attire and arrange for her transportation.

MAID OF HONOR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Maid of Honor

Out of all her attendants, the bride relies most heavily on her maid of honor. Traditionally, the maid of honor is the bride's sister or closest friend. FYI, a married honor attendant is technically referred to as a matron of honor, but that has taken a back seat in recent popular vernacular.

Before the wedding, the maid of honor's duties include coordinating the bridesmaids' activities, such as meeting for a dress fitting and organizing the bridal shower and bachelorette party. She also helps the bride and groom with any preparatory errands or tasks, like addressing the invitations and keeping records of gifts.

WEDDING EVER AFTER

Wedding Traditions and Folklore

First Dance of the Groom and the Bride

HOW TO CHOOSE A WEDDING SINGER

WHY HIRE A WEDDING COORDINATOR

BEST WEDDING GIFTS FOR EVERY YEAR

SECONDARY SPONSORS ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR YOUR WEDDING ENTOURAGE

THE PRINCIPAL SPONSORS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAID OF HONOR AND MATRON OF HONOR

BRIDESMAID GOWN IDEAS

HOW TO CHOOSE A BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES

GROOM MUST CARRY THE BRIDE AT THEIR NEW HOME

TOP LAYER OF THE WEDDING CAKE MUST SAVE FOR THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY

THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE BOUQUET AND GARTER WILL BE THE NEXT TO GET MARRIED

BRIDE MUST WEAR SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED AND SOMETHING BLUE

GROOM AND BRIDE MUST NOT SEE EACH OTHER BEFORE THE WEDDING

BRIDESMAIDS ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

RING BEARER ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

GROOMSMEN ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

BEST MAN ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

FLOWER GIRL ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MAID OF HONOR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Guidelines

WEDDING EVER AFTER

PRIVACY POLICY

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