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The Citizen, 1990-02-14, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1990. rimjsiMi|vQR YOUR WEDppy7 Old-fashioned wedding tradition making a comeback The old-fashioned wedding is back. And it’s back with all the time-honoured traditions - engage­ ment rings, organ music, three­ tiered cakes - and some modern adaptations, such as the cedar chest. Many of the customs and rituals with which today’s brides and grooms pledge their troth are rooted in antiquity. The engage­ ment ring, for example, goes back more than 2,000 years, while another wedding symbol, the wed­ ding ring, has been with us since 800 A.D. Roman custom called for a man to give his betrothed a ring that was, in essence, a promissory note on the terms of the marriage contract. The circle represents eternity and, in the marriage ceremony, the ring is a pledge of eternal fidelity. Marriage lore ascribes the veil, which conceals the bride’s beauty, to man’s superstitious fear that a jealous demon might steal his beloved. Others say it represents an early form of courtship, in which the bridegroom captured his wife by force, wrapping her up in a “bridal veil’’ to carry her off. For centuries, the cedar chest has been the heritage of young lovers and a legacy of their courtship, according to Linda Dal­ ton, historian at The Lane Com­ pany. During the Middle Ages, wooden chests were repositories of such church and state treasures as gold, silver, money and religious relics. More common folk used chests to store family clothing, especially the trousseau of a bride-to-be. “As the Renaissance dawned,’’ Dalton says, “bridal chests became virtual works of art, replete with intricate carvings, inlay work and beautiful paintings on the top and sides. Sometimes, the bridal chest Tardy invitations delay plans Continued from page 27 too late, which “is especially hard on people who have to make arrangements to travel.” And she notes that couples are making life more difficult for themselves by being tardy because replies from guests will arrive at the last minute, delaying final plans. She advises couples to order their invitations as soon as time and location of the wedding and reception are established. Reply cards should include a stamp. Not only is it proper etiquette, but it also ensures a quick response. “If the stamp is there and it’s ready to go, people tend to send it along right away,” Stevens says. The cost of invitations for an average wedding of 100 guests will be between $150 and $200, exclud­ ing postage, she estimates. If children of guests are to be included in the celebrations, this should be specified on the invita­ tion. would bear the coats-of-arms of the families being united.” In 13th century Italy, a bride was carried to her husband’s house on top of her bridal chest. Throughout her life, everything inside the chest would remain her property, unlike her lands or money, which legally passed to her husband at their wedding. “Cedar became part of chest­ making during the 15th century, and served almost as sacred mater­ ial for storing and preserving ecclesiastical vestments.” Dalton says, “Soon, secular chests - and especially bridal chests - were made of cedar, walnut or oak, then lined with cedar. We still make cedar-lined chests this way today.” The custom of the bridal chest spread quickly from southern Eur­ ope northward to England and, from there, to the American colon­ ies. These sturdy boxes, with their sentimental associations, travelled across the oceans and continents often to serve as the only real piece of furniture in a rugged colonial home. Settlers arriving from other parts of Europe brought bridal chests bearing all the ethnic colour and design endowed by culture and tradition. Even in the New World, chests performed rites of courtship, and a young man announced his inten­ tions when he gave his girl a “hope chest”. Today, Dalton says, cedar chests enjoy the same widespread popu­ larity they have known for hun­ dreds of years. While it remains a safe haven for precious heirlooms, today’s cedar chest can function as Royal Bank Block Goderich - 524-7532^ "Where Lasting Memories Begin " For Your Special Day insist on beautiful' photographs by... a coffee table, window settee or bedside nightstand as well. “Today’s women, who value practicality and versatility along­ side romance and tradition, prize the cedar chest as much as their counterpart of yesteryear,” Dalton says. “Cedar chests have a rich history of romance and tradition,” she adds. “And tradition and romance are back in style. When they exchange wedding rings, share the first piece of wedding cake or fill a cedar chest with their hopes and dreams of a life together, couples give new meaning to old tradi­ tions.” Birdseed safer than rice Birdseed is the ecologically saf­ est stuff to toss at the bride and groom, says a Connecticut law­ maker who has introduced a bill banning instant rice weddings, reports International Wildlife Magazine. Innocuous as it seems, instant rice kills birds that eat it by absorbing moisture and causing severe bloating, says May Schmilde, the legislator intro­ ducing the birdseed bill. She does not advocate policing weddings but simply wants well-wishers to con­ vert to birdseed. C i»niv in anytime and we'll share our expertise to help you choose the right Howers lor your special kind ol wedding We have a hvaulilul selection of original Moral designs lor ;dl your needs. So call or slop Ik. You'll wish all I he arrangements were this easy.