Wedding Customs & Traditions - A Compendium

Everything you wanted to know about the origin and meaning of all those crazy superstitions, customs and traditions associated with courtship and marriage.


Contents

When will I be married? Traditional sayings predicting weddings
Marry me, please. The Proposal

3. The Engagement

4. Hey, maybe we should elope?

5. Four cows and a pig. The Dowry

6. Bridal shower

7. Buck’s and hen’s night out. Pre-wedding parties

8. Trousseau

9. Glory Box

10. The Wedding Register

11. When to Marry

12. The Invitation

12a. The Big Day - Wedding Day (this being a book on traditions we couldn’t have 13)

13. The Ritual Bath

14. The Wedding Dress

15. The Veil

16. Something old, new, borrowed , blue

17. Beware and behold - good and bad luck.

18. You want me to sign WHAT! The pre-nuptial agreement

19. Bridesmaids, Grooms and Attendants

20. Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride

21. position, Position, Position - who sits where?

22. Church, Temple or Backyard Ceremony?

23. Wedding rings

24. Who gives this woman to be wed?

25. Breaking the glass

26. Waltz on down the aisle

27. Flowers for my true love

28. The secret language of flowers

29. The Bridal Party

30. The Wedding Cake

31. Speeches

32. Oh no, telegrams and emails.

33. All in the name of love - Wedding Music

34. The Bridal Waltz and Wedding Kiss

35. No rice or confetti, please!

36. Tossing the Bridal Bouquet and Garter

37. Just Married!

38. The Honeymoon

39. Carrying the bride over the threshold

40. Wedding anniversaries