HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-02-26, Page 35viva°
TQday's win.c t r-� h - ck inti. the fire but the bride jumps over the
flames, thus evading any remaining
demons.
Showcase '86, page 9
Today's wedding ceremonies and bedroom and then dance around the
receptions are filed with customs which, house nine times to drive away evil
when you think about them, appear to spirits.
make little sense. The fact is that most of
them are remnants of earlier ways and
even superstitions.
For example, at most weddings the
bride throws her wedding bouquet or a
portion of it to the crowd. The custom
originated as a form of self-defense, says
Barbara Tober, author of "The Bride: A
Celebration."
In olden times, people believed that the
bride's adornments had mystical value
and tried to grab a piece of her outfit.
The bride threw the bouquet away from
herself so the crowd would have
something to grab for and she could then
escape with her clothes intact.
From rings
Why is the wedding ring worn on the
third finger of the left hand? It's. a
custom handed down by the pharaohs of
Egypt who believed that the "vena
amoris" ran from that finger directly to
the hear,.
The origin of the custom for the bride
to wear something old, something new,
something borrowed and something blue
also has ancient symbolism. Most of the
bridal clothing is new as a portend of
future plenty. Wearing something old is a
sign of continuity with the past.
Something borrowed is based on the
superstition that happiness can rub off,
so if you wear a borrowed item from a
happily married friend, your marriage
will be happy, too. Blue is'associated
with purity, fidelity and love.
Another custom followed by some is to
sew a small pouch filled with a tiny piece
of bread, cloth, wood or a dollar bill into
the wedding dress. This is meant to pro-
tect against future shortages in food,
clothing and shelter. The dollar bili is
hostage to fortune.
What about the wedding cake? In early
Roman days, a simple wheaten cake was
broken during the ceremony. The first
morsels were eaten by the bride and
groom and the rest of the cake was
crumbled over the bride's head in a fer-
tility rite, to guarantee many children
and a 1 f of plenty.
to cakes
By Elizabethan times in England,
small sweet buns were a centerpiece on
the table. The bride and groom were
playfully challenged to kiss each other
over the cakes, which were stacked into a
c_ mountainous bundle. In the 17th century,
a French chef frosted the small cakes
with white sugar so that they held
together and stood upright. Today in
France,' croquembouche, a cake compos-
ed of creampuffs held together in a cylin-
drical form with melted caramelized '
sugar, is still a wedding cake of choice.
Today's tiered wedding cake is the result
in the United States.
Once the wedding is over and it's time
for the bride and groom to go to the new
home, a new set of customs comes into
play. For example, the bride is carried
over the threshold because in the ancient
world it was thought that evil spirits
were in the house, unseen but there. The
groom carried his bride over the
threshold to avoid any demons lurking on
the doorstep and also to keep the bride
from tracking in any spirits on the soles
of her feet.
Today, in some Hungarian' villages it is
still the custom for the wedding guests to
escort the bride and groom to their
• The next day, a married woman's cap.
is placed on the bride's head and a fire is
lit in the village square. All dance around
"A world class country inn..."
44TMI LLEX I��
WELCOMES YOU TO
EAUTITUL
BEGINNINGS
1 1♦ word of advice for
the betrothed...
Because the most important day
of your lives will also bethe most hectic
you are likely to encounter,
plan first for a perfect retreat.
UNWIND
It's the perfect beginning.
Your marriage made in heaven starts with a
-Az!! Von nun sun nnr na5rhv country
resort as your wedding night hide -a -way.
Starting fresh and rested on your honeymoon
the next day. Or, you can honeymoon here
with all of Benmiller's facilities at
your disposal. Featuring an intimate dining room
overlooking: creek and garden patio. Pool.
Sauna: Whirlpool. Numerous recreational facilities.
Two licensed lounges with fireplaces.
Gift shop and much more. •
Just as Ruth and Steve discovered...
Paradise is at your doorstep.
Book early and rest assured that our
staff will do everything
possible to ensure
your visit to
Benmiller
will make for...
eauti
inni
A PERFECT( /GIFT...
Make arrangements for the Bride & Groom to spend a memorable wedding night at Benmiller
Benmiller
Inn
For further information or reservations, write or call
BENMILLER INN, R.R. 4, GODERICH', ONT., N7A 3Y1
(519) 524.2191