Hello Readers,
With Summer Weddings in full swing, getting married is a big and lucrative business and one that is doubtful to ever go completely out of fashion. Huge amounts of money is spent on making that special day a memorable one not only for the bride and groom, but also arranging the best party ever for all the guests.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the most extravagant wedding ever was the 1981 wedding of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Al Maktoum. To accommodate the 20,000 guests, he had a stadium built leading to an overall cost of ｣60million for the seven day celebrations.
Whereas for the last 250 years, chimney sweeps have always been welcomed at weddings, garters have been thrown since the 14th Century when some people believed that a piece of the bride’s dress would bestow good luck. No sooner was the marriage service over than the unmarried guests would begin pulling at the gown and ripping it to shreds. To play for time and to hold the mob off, the bride threw her garter into the crowd.
In Medieval times a special ale was brewed called ‘byrd ealu’ meaning bride’s ale. Over the years this word changed to ‘bridal’ that is associated with ‘wedding feast’.
The Celts believed the ringing of bells would scare off evil spirits. Favours for guests were called Bomboniere, sugar sweets. These gifts originated as five white sugared almonds symbolising health, wealth, long life, happiness and fertility. It is said to be unlucky for a bride to catch sight of herself in the mirror wearing her full wedding outfit as she may leave behind part of herself in the reflection. Its also a bad omen for a church clock to strike during the ceremony and if a thunderstorm happens during the wedding, it is said the couple will remain childless.
Until modern times, in Hong Kong, wives were allowed to kill their adulterous husbands, so long as they used their bare hands. In Montana, it is a felony for a wife to open her husband’s mail. It is also illegal for women to go fishing on Sundays. Spinsters are not permitted to fish alone at all!! A French custom is still practised in remote areas for the bride to step on an egg before crossing the threshold of her new home. Years ago in Yorkshire when the bride visited her parental home, a plate was thrown out of the window. If the plate broke, life with her new husband looked rosy but if it stayed intact, her future was grim.
On a final note to all you blushing brides and nervous grooms, glamorous bridesmaids and stuck for words, stuttering best men, weepy bride and groom mothers and stiff upper lip fathers and guests seen rallying around sporting boxes of confetti and tissues to hand, enjoy your special celebrations and may you all live a long, happy and prosperous life together.
And never go to sleep on an argument, kiss and make up and wake up to another new day together.
Until Next Week,
Love and Light,
Linda and The Lulas xxx
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