2/A Very Special Wedding
By CAROL ROBERTS
Copley News Service
Every culture has its wedding tradi-
tions intended to symbolize the good
things marriage means to a couple:
happiness, commitment, sharing. Such
customs offer a couple the opportunity to
personalize their celebration, perhaps
even with traditions of their ancestors.
Following are some ideas from “Bride’s”
magazine.
AFRICA - Some tribes still perform the
ancient rite of binding the bride’s and
groom’s wrists together with plaited
grass. Show your new ties by exchanging
matching woven bracelets before you
walk back up the aisle together as
husband and wife.
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BERMUDA - Even today, islanders top
off their wedding cakes with tiny tree
saplings. Plant your little tree in a place
where you can watch it grow along with
your marriage.
CHINA - Red, the color of love and joy
in China, is the favorite choice for the
bride’s dress and accessories. Tuck a red
rosebud in your husband’s lapel or wrap
bridesmaid’s gifts and wedding favors in
red.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA - Country brides
wear wreaths of rosemary woven for
them on their wedding eve. Include a
sprig in your bouquet to symbolize
wisdom, love and loyalty.
ENGLAND - The village bride and her
wedding party used to walk together to
the church, led by a small girl strewing
blossoms along the road. Walk to your
§,
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(252
reception site if it’s nearby. If you have
young friends or relatives or are young
parents marrying again, let the children
head the parade.
FRANCE - Couples drink the reception
toast from an engraved two-handled cup,
the coupe de marriage, which is passed
on to future generations. You might
engrave a silver cup with your initials
and then use it not only for the cham-
pagne toast at your reception but also for
all future special occasions.
GERMANY - Both bride and groom
hold candles trimmed with flowers and
ribbons. A late afternoon or evening
wedding is perfect for saying vows by
candlelight. And you can save one of the
tapers to relight for a romantic first
INDIA - To ward off evil, the groom’s
brother sprinkles flower petals on the
bridal couple at the end of the ceremony.
After your ceremony is over, have a
special relative or friend hand a single
flower to every guest.
IRELAND - The traditional wedding
cake of the Emerald Isle is a heavy, rich
fruitcake with golden raisins, ground
almonds, cherries and spice. In true Irish
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spirit, lace your reception cake with
brandy or bourbon.
ITALY - For centuries wedding guests
have tossed confetti - sugared almonds -
at the couple to symbolize the sweet and
bitter in life. Decorate reception tables
with pretty boxes or bags brimming with
almonds.
JAPAN - Bridal couples take nine sips
of sake, becoming husband and wife after
the first. The two of you could drink
together from a wine cup then ask your
parents to exchange sips, too.
MEXICO - Reception guests gather
around the couple in a heart-shaped ring.
Your friends and relatives might do the
same as you whirl through your first
dance together as husband and wife.
POLAND - Guests customarily have
pinned money on the bride to “buy” a
dance. Collect your pin money in a white
satin purse.
RUSSIA - Wedding guests not only give
presents - they receive them, as well.
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