HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-02-22, Page 35Some couples retain ethnic rites
Toronto is a melting pot of international
communities with charming and colourful
wedding customs. Traditions of the Portu-
guese and the -Japanese were described by -
Marina -Sturdza in her column 'Panache in.
The .Toronto 'Star.
Young Portuguese speaking Canadians
are adopting many Canadian customs but
they often retain some regional traditions.
The Portuguese Roman Catholic church
remains a very strong influence and church
weddings are the norm. Traditionally, two
weeks before the wedding, guests bring gifts
to the bride's home, sometimes selecting
them from a detailed list the bride has
prepared.
At the wedding, the groom's mother
escorts him to the altar and the bride's
father takes her up the aisle. There is no best
man or maid of honour but it's customary to
have one attendant who carries the rings
and holds the train. It's a double ring
ceremony, followed immediately by a
reception, likely to feature traditional Portu-
guese special and festive dishes, such as
roast suckling pig and wonderfully ornate
cakes.
- in, tinct gra, Por ugaii, women dress. w ..._
black, with' lots .of gold embroidery and
jewellery , around the neckline, and wear
ornate white veils.
Wedding customs do a dramatic flipflop as
you move from Europe to the Orient.
The Japanese follow two traditional
calendars, the Shinto and Buddhist, both of
which designatecertain days each month as
being either auspicious or unlucky - for
weddings and other transactions of all sorts.
In a complete reversal of North American
custom, the groom's family pays most of the
wedding bills and even throws a 'pre -wed-
ding part at the bride's house to celebrate
the engagement. Before the wedding, the
bride's family sends gifts to the groom's
family as a gesture of courtesy.
Turn to page 190
Weddings steeped in tradition
Today's weddings, in all their resplendent believed the circle a symbol of eternity — a
glory, are literally steeped in tradition. sign that life, happiness and love have no
Couples planning a wedding follow closely beginning and no end.
customs from as early as Roman times, Third .finger, left hand: Ancient, people
During the whirlwind before a wedding believed a vein in that finger,ran directly to
there •is hardly time for the bride and the heart.
groom to catch their breath, but a few Bridal shower: Originated in Holland
minutes spent understanding the customs when a maiden's marriage to a poor miller
could add more meaning to a wedding day. was forbidden by her father and sym-
. Engagement ring: The "pledge" ring was pathetic neighbors "showered" the bride
first given ,as part payment in the days of with gifts to replace the traditional dowry.
"purchase" marriages. The earliest were of Bridal veil: Use of the veil began as sym-
braided grass and later of leather and carv- bol of youth and virginity. In some countries
ed stone, Diamond, the most imperishable today the groom never sees his bride's face
of all stones was first used as a symbol of en- . until they are legally married. Greek brides
during love in medieval Italy. wore flame -colored veils, early Christian
Wedding ring: In the . days of cave -. women- wore ..white .or purple and Anglo -
around the bride's waist and ankles to keep own flowing hair.
her spirit from escaping. Early Egyptians •Turn to page 29
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BRIDES EDITION '84 PAGE 15
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