Staf and Hen Parties. Males have been throwing prenuptial parties for so long that historians are reluctant to confirm when they actually started. Some suggest as far back as Ancient Greece, when Spartans would feast and drink the night before a wedding, reminiscing with the groom over times spent together. Other historians believe that stag parties weren’t established until the 15th century, when Henry VIII...
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What is a Dowry? When families arranged marriages, they were trying their best to guarantee their offspring a pleasant and comfortable life. The bride was expected to bring a “dowry” of money, jewels, animals, or something of substantial value to the marriage. This substantial value was provided by the family of the bride and portrayed her perceived worth . On the other hand, the groom...
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What was the Custom of Collecting? In Finland, the bride-to-be was considered “snobbish” if she did not go door-to-door to receive her gifts in a pillowcase. Accompanying her, an elderly married man, carrying an umbrella (for shelter), came along and was given a drink at each door. Today, an umbrella is used as a decoration symbolizing “protection”. This custom can be included very beautifully in...
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The betrothal ring, has for centuries symbolized the promise of a future together, sealed with the giving and accepting of a ring. The diamond engagement ring as we know it has been around since 1477, but other rings have been used throughout the centuries to mark engagements. Rings featuring gem stones were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Often, the first letter of the...
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What a charming custom the Welsh and Pennsylvania Dutch couples had of giving one another hand crafted gifts, useful for their future home. Such things as cake molds, butter prints, carved spoon which were covered with symbols and announcements of their love for one another. Today’s love tokens could include a song or poem written by the groom to his bride, or a hand embroidered...
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Who Was the Matchmaker? In countries where marriages are arranged, “go-betweens” play a time honored and respected role. In China, a matchmaker must determine if astrological signs are compatible. In Uganda, the bride’s elder brother and paternal uncle speak to the prospective groom and barter for the best “price” to be paid to the family. (Also see Old World Customs and Traditions”.
The bride’s veil and bouquet are of greater antiquity than her white gown. Her veil, which was yellow in ancient Greece and red in ancient Rome, usually shrouded her from head to foot, and has since the earliest of times, denoted the subordination of a woman to man. The thicker the veil, the more traditional the implication of wearing it. According to tradition, it is...
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When families arranged marriages, they were trying their best to guarantee their offspring a pleasant and comfortable life. The bride was expected to bring a “dowry” of money, jewels, animals, or something of substantial value to the marriage. This substantial value was provided by the family of the bride and portrayed her perceived worth . On the other hand, the groom paid a “brides price”...
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