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ллThe bride should not practice writing her new name before the wedding.
This is thought to bring bad luck by tempting fate.
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лл"Something old, something new,
something borrowed, something blue" is of unknown origin.
Traditionally, the something old was the garter of a happily married
woman, the something new was the dress, something borrowed was a coin
from the groom worn in the bride's shoe, and the something blue was the
moon, the protector of women and fertility.
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ллIn
Egypt, Families, rather than the grooms, propose to the bride. In Egypt,
many marriages are arranged.
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ллThe WEDDING KISS....in Ancient Roman times, a kiss was used as the
formal seal of agreement. So, when you kiss your new bride or
groom, you are sealing your "Agreement" with a kiss.
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ллRain on your wedding day is good
luck, according to Hindu tradition. The English also consider rain
on the wedding day good luck!
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ллThe term "To tie the knot" goes back to the Roman
times. The bride would wear a girdle that was tied in many
knots. It was the duty of the groom to untie the knots.
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ллIt
is said that the first partner who buys a new item after the wedding will be the
dominant one in the relationship. Many brides ensure that they make the
first purchase by arranging to buy a small item such as a pin form the chief
bridesmaid immediately after the ceremony.
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ллIt
was thought unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose surname began with the same
letter as hers. Look at this rhyme:
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To change the name and not the letter
Is to change for the worst and not the better
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ллIt
was thought unlucky for the bride to make her own dress. It is also
unlucky for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding.
The bride should not wear her ENTIRE outfit before the wedding day. Some
brides leave a final stitch on the dress undone until it is time to leave for
the ceremony when the outfit is completed.
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ллChinese
brides receive pocketbooks filled with gold jewelry from female relatives, which
bestows status on the bride.
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ллTo confuse evil spirits, Danish
brides and grooms would cross-dress.
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ллBridesmaids
were dressed in a similar way as the bride for the same reason as the origin of
the veil. The bridesmaids were thought to act as decoys to confuse evil
spirits and thus protect the bride.
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ллThe bride stands to the groom's left because after he
"kidnapped her, he needed to keep his right hand free in case
he needed to get his sword from a sudden attack.
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ллMoroccan
women take a milk bath to purify themselves before their wedding.
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ллAlthough
most weddings now take place on a Saturday, it was considered unlucky in
the past. This famous rhyme advices a wedding in the first half of
the week:
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Monday
for Wealth
Tuesday
for Health
Wednesday
the best day of all
Thursday
for losses
Friday
for crosses
Saturday
for no luck at all
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ллSwedish
wives wear three wedding rings: for betrothal, for marriage, and for
motherhood.
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ллGreek
brides sometimes carry a lump of sugar in their glove on their wedding
day to be sure of having a "sweet life".
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ллIn Korea, ducks are included in the wedding procession because they mate
for life.
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ллIn Vietnam, there are two wedding celebrations, one party is given
by the bride's family and the other by the groom's family.
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ллIn Switzerland, a pine tree, which symbolizes luck and fertility, is
planted at the couple's new home.
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ллCzech newlyweds get peas, instead
of rice, thrown at them.
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ллIn
Ireland, a lucky horseshoe is given to the couple to keep in
their new home.
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ллMost
brides today marry in white which symbolizes maidenhood. This
tradition started by the rich in sixteenth century. The tradition was
given a boost by Queen Victoria who chose to marry in white instead of silver
which was the traditional color of Royal brides. Before the white dress,
brides wore their best dress. The color was a matter of
preference.
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Married in White, you have
chosen right,
Married
in Blue, your love will always be true,
Married
in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,
Married
in Brown, you will live in town,
Married
in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married
in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married
in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married
in Pink, your spirit will sink,
Married
in Grey, you will go far away,
Married
in Black, you will wish yourself back.
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ллIn Russia, after the couple are crowned in a Russian Orthodox
ceremony, the bride and groom race to stand on a white run.
Who ever steps on the rug first will be master of the household,
according to custom.
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ллThrowing
the rice is a traditional way of wishing the bride and groom many
children.
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ллSwedish wives wear three wedding rings: 1-for
betrothal 2-for marriage 3-for motherhood.
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ллIn Malaysia, each wedding guest is given a decorated hard-boiled
egg, a symbol of fertility.
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ллIn
Wales, the bride gives her attendants cuttings of myrtle (symbolizing love) from
her bouquet. According to custom, if the plant roots and blossoms, they
will marry soon.
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ллThe
Groom's Cake comes from England and Ireland. The traditional
Groom's Cake is a fruit cake with white icing. The cake is
usually served along with the traditional wedding cake. Today,
groom's cakes are often chocolate instead of the traditional fruit
cake.
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ллDuring earlier centuries, for Christians, Sunday was the day of
choice for a wedding because it was not a work day, but during the
Puritan Revolution in England in the 17th century, Puritan's thought
it was improper to be festive on the "Sabbath".
Saturday then became the most popular day for a wedding.
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ллThe tradition of having a wedding cake started in the 1st century
BC in Rome, Italy. The cake was thrown at the bride or broken
over her head for fertility.
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ллIt was considered bad luck if the bride tripped or stumbled when
entering her new home. Thus, the groom carries her over the
threshold to prevent her from stumbling.
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ллIn Puerto Rico, a bridal doll, in a dress that is identical to the
bridal gown, is placed on the head table at the
reception.
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ллIn Samoa, the bride wears fresh flowers and a mother-of-pearl crown.
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ллTying old shoes to the car originated in England during the Tudor
period. During that time, guests at the wedding would throw
shoes at the couple as they left in their carriage. It was
considered good luck if the carriage was hit. Today, most
people tie beverage cans to the couple's car.
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ллIn Spain, the groom gives thirteen coins to the bride to symbolize
his ability to support and care for her.
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