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The Huron Expositor, 1995-02-22, Page 61Wedding traditions and trends The modern bride chooses to combine the romantic customs of the past with today's current trends. Too often, though, traditions are not known or understood. Here are three popular Victorian traditions, certain to add romance and charm to your wedding day: • A delightful custom just for your bridesmaids and widely followed in the traditional wedding is the custom of Ribbon Pulling. The bride acquires a set of six special, sterling silver charms: a ring, a flower, a heart, a clover, an anchor and a rocking horse. A thin, flowing ribbon is then tied to each charm, as each is hidden in the wedding cake's outside edge of frosting. Just before the bride cuts her cake, each bridesmaid 'pulls' a ribbon, selecting a charm and her fortune! The ring foretells the next to marry; the rocking horse, who will have a happy home. The anchor symbolizes a future of adventure; the heart, true love forthcoming; and the clover, good luck. The flower gown, represents the bride's acceptance of new life. As for the Something Blue, its origins can be traced to the rhyme, "Those who dress in blue have lovers true." The last line of the poem, Anda Lucky Sixpence for Your Shoe, has gained tremendous popularity in recent years with its story becoming more widely known and followed. In the Victorian Era, brides began to place a sixpence in the heel of the left wedding slipper to ensure wealth and good fortune to the newlywed couple. The sixpence has become a keepsake, as the coin was last minted in 1967 and is now a collector's item. The final tradition is also meant to bring good luck to the marriage. A tiny sterling silver horseshoe, held by a small blue ribbon (Something Blue ...) is sewn into the hem of the bride's wedding gown. The horseshoe has been considered lucky since the early 1400s. The Royal Family helped to make this an extremely popular tradition. The bride should select her own ribbons, determined by the color theme she has chosen. WFddin9 �ius.it^ * Pianist for Weddings & Receptions * Portable Piano Available Traditional and Contemporary Selections Available Sharon Johnston 524-1865 FIRST CLASS LUXURY 24 HOURS DAILY FULLY EQUIPPED WHITE STRETCH LIMO • Weddings • Graduations Theatre • Sightseeing • Airport Service • Midweek Specials • Out'of Town Service . OR YOUR SPECIAL OCCASION CALL 273-6323 STRATFORD - signals the blossoming of new love. Presentation of each charm in special jewelry boxes is an accepted variation of this tradition. ♦ The next tradition is perhaps the most widely followed nuptial custom, but the least understood. Each line of the commonly known wedding poem, Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Lucky Sixpence for Your Shoe, has unique significance to the wedding. Something Old and Something Borrowed are items usually given to the bride by a loved one to bring happiness to the new marriage. Something New, often the Wednesday, February 22, 1995 -PAGE 21D Remember to write those thank -you notes Three months is the longest you should take to write thank -you notes - which, by the way- must be handwritten and should make a direct reference to the present. It will help if you can keep up with thank -you notes as the gifts arrive before the wedding. If you absolutely cannot answer them within this amount of time, you might instead send printed announcements that read: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith gratefully acknowledge your present and will respond personally at the earliest opportunity. Alternatively, share the responsibility with your husband. There is no reason your groom cannot write some of the thank -you notes. (7 • • 7 r11 Set The Scene With Flowers No wedding would be complete without beautiful flowers from Flowers n' Things. Rear or Silt Let us make your wed 1,n day "personally" yours with beautiful flowers to comple- ment your bridal party and to create a festive atmosphere at the church & reception Call or visit us today We'll be happy to assist you! We Also Rent Brass Candelabra and Topiary Free decorated with Iresh or silk flowers 1- lowers n1 hin s 38 Albert st. 482-3689 Clinton CUSTOM MADE WEDDING CAKES British/European Influences & Traditions WEDDING ORN \\LENTS • Designer Cake Tops • Porcelain Couples • Chocolate • Candy Molds and Accessories WE ALSO SPE(CI:AI.ILF. IN Birthday, Anniversary and All Occasion Cakes The EXETER BRIDAL SHOW MARCH 6. 1995 Formerly Rosemary's Pantry located at FERGUSON APIARIES Hwy. 84 between Hensall and Zurich HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 5. Sat. 9 - 4 "REMEMBER... YOU TAKE THE CAKE"