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Receiving Line
This is a chance for the
guests to congratulate and greet the newly married couple and their parents.
Today, instead of a receiving line, the bride and groom will walk around to each
table and greet their guests.
Reception
The reception is the
official celebration of the newly married couple.
Toast
Traditionally, the best man would toast the bride and groom. Today, sometimes
the entire wedding party, the father of the bride, and the father of the groom
will toast the bride and groom.
The Wedding Cake
The wedding cake
represents the sharing of the bride and groom's body to become one.
Bride and Groom First
Dance
It is recommended to
have the Bride and Groom do their first dance after the cake cutting. This
allows the staff the opportunity to finish cutting the cake for the rest of the
guests
Father and Bride Dance
The Father and Bride
dance is a special dance that gives the Father-of-the-Bride and the Bride the
opportunity to talk one-on-one.
Mother and Groom Dance
The Mother and Groom
dance is a special dance that gives the Mother-of-the-Groom and the Groom the
opportunity to talk one-on-one.
Anniversary Dance
This is a dance where
all the married couples come to the dance floor to dance with the newlyweds. The
dance is danced to a slow song. During the song, the MC ask those who have been
married less than 1 year (excluding the bride and groom) to exit the dance
floor. Next the MC asks those who have been married less than 5 years, then 10
years, etc. The couples keep exiting the dance floor until there is only one
couple remaining on the dance floor with the Bride and Groom. A round of
applause is given to the couple that has been married the longest. It is
recommended that the Bride then dances with the male, and the Groom dances with
the female. It is suggested that the couple who has been married the longest
give some words of advice to the newlyweds.
Drinking of Wine
The drinking of wine
symbolizes the sharing of the bride's and groom's life together with God.
Bouquet Toss
Beginning in England, it
was believed that the bride could pass along good fortune to others. In order to
obtain this fortune, guests 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 single women who catches the
bouquet is the one who receives the bride's fortune and will marry next.
Garter Toss
This ritual dates back to
a time when woman wore hose with a garter belt. 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.
Grand Exit Leaving
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.
After 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.
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.
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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.
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In Holland and Switzerland a pine tree, a symbol of fertility and luck, was
once planted outside a new couple's home.
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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.
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In Armenia, two white doves were set free to symbolize love and happiness.
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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.
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In Japan, brides change their bridal attire several times throughout the
wedding day.
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In England, the bride wouldn't allow her married name to be used before the
wedding for it was considered bad luck.
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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.
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Flowers decorated the front of the bridal car in Italy so that the bride and
groom would have happy travels throughout life together.
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In Japan, ducks or a goose and gander were included in the processional
because they mate for life and are a symbol for fidelity.
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In Poland, guests paid to dance with the bride and this money is used for
the honeymoon.
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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.
Material Provided
by
www.Avol.com
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