Posts Tagged ‘Wedding traditions’
Gypsies do it, Pagans do it, Africans’ do it, African Americans’ do it, everybody does it!
A very important tradition in African and African American weddings – it usually occurs at the end of the ceremony, right before the couple recesses down the aisle. Typically, we place the broom under the seats in front or give it to the officiant. An “honored person”, chosen by the couple, will then place the broom on the floor at the correct time.
Surprisingly, jumping of the broom has Welsh and Celtic origins. In the Celtic culture, the straw of the broom represents fertility.
Pagan couples are now incorporating the tradition.
Cool, eh?
The broom represents cleanliness, family and fertility. Jumping of the broom is taking the proverbial “leap of faith” or “jumping into marriage”, so to speak. It symbolizes leaving the old single life, for a new married life.
In some parts of Africa, the ceremonial broom is used to sweep away evil.
There are many different variations of the broom jumping ceremony – and I encourage you to find a way that’s meaningful and unique to you!
You can get really cool brooms in your colors of choice on Esty and Ebay.
Happy planning!
Generally, I use Tantalizing Thursday as a day to bring you cultural wedding themes and ideas. I have spoken about many cultures over the past year, but have disregarded my own. I thought it might be fun to look at the history of a few wedding traditions.
Why are diamonds a girl’s best friend?
The hardest stone in nature, the diamond was called the Venus stone by the ancients, with it’s likeness to Venus – and it’s shining beauty in the night sky. Like the goddess, who was dedicated to love, the diamond became associated with sweethearts, and loves mysterious fire of passion.
WOW!
The Greeks called it “adamas”, eternal or unchanging, a declaration of the depths of emotion.
According to history, the diamond engagement ring began in 1477, with Maximillian of Austria and Mary of Burgundy. Max wanted to propose to Mary, and he asked one of his councilors how to do it. His councilor suggested a diamond. Max slipped it on the 3rd finger of her left hand, and history was born.
While many traditions are falling by the wayside, the diamond is stronger than ever, followed by 3 out of 4 engaged couples.
Why the 3rd finger on the left hand?
The ancients believed that the “vena Amoris”, special vein or Vein of love, ran from the 3rd finger directly to the heart. By putting a fitted ring on this finger, the love was bound in and could no flow out of the fingertips. This finger is also the weakest on the hand and most dependent on the others for helping in lifting and holding. Among English speaking persons, it has been on the left since the edict of Edward VI of England in 1549.
Why something old-something new?
Something old – continuity
something new – optimism and hope
something borrowed – happiness shared from another happily married couple
something blue – fidelity, love and purity
Lucy sixpence in shoe – ensures a life of fortune (must of forgot that one). Doh! The sixpence first became known as a lucky coin when introduced by Edward VI of England in 1551 and later became part of wedding traditions during the Victorian era.
A lump of sugar – to bring sweetness to married life.
I love flowers, so why a bouquet?
Flowers symbolize life, growth and fertility. Herbs ward off evil spirits.
This is why Brides should always have tons and tons of flowers!
Hey, it’s dictated by history 
Why should you marry in June?
June has long been the favorite month to marry – but there is a reason why! A June wedding was considered to guarantee a happy marriage. Even the days of the week hold associations for the superstitious. Here is just one variation of a famous old rhyme that assigns a different omen to every day.
Monday for wealth,
Tuesday for health,
Wednesday, the best day of all,
Thursday for crosses,
Friday for losses,
Saturday, no luck at all
Why a bevy of bridesmaids?
In the old day
s of “marriage by capture”, a maiden was guarded by her family to prevent seizure. In later centuries, this little drama was enacted as a sort of game at country weddings. The Bridegroom, gaily attired, coming for his bride, was confronted by a bevy of maidens all dressed exactly alike. His part was to detect his true love, “forsaking all others”. As recently as Victorian times, bridesmaids also wore white dresses and veils, looking like the Bride themselves. The best friend of the Bride was designated as 1st Bridesmaid (or Maid/Matron of Honor in modern times).
Bridesmaids were dressed similarly to the Bride and Groomsmen similarly to the Groom to confuse spirits who wanted to harm the couple.
What fun!
Happy planning!
Thanks to Weddings Beautiful for all the information. Thanks to Thomas Graves and Rachel Smith for the wonderful photographs
Gypsies do it, Pagans do it, Africans’ do it, African Americans’ do it, everybody does it!
A very important tradition in African and African American weddings – it usually occurs at the end of the ceremony, right before the couple recesses down the aisle. Typically, we place the broom under the seats in front or give it to the officiant. An “honored person”, chosen by the couple, will then place the broom on the floor at the correct time.
Surprisingly, jumping of the broom has Welsh and Celtic origins. In the Celtic culture, the straw of the broom represents fertility.
Pagan couples are now incorporating the tradition.
Cool, eh?
The broom represents cleanliness, family and fertility. Jumping of the broom is taking the proverbial “leap of faith” or “jumping into marriage”, so to speak. It symbolizes leaving the old single life, for a new married life.
In some parts of Africa, the ceremonial broom is used to sweep away evil.
There are many different variations of the broom jumping ceremony – and I encourage you to find a way that’s meaningful and unique to you!
You can get really cool brooms in your colors of choice on Esty and Ebay.
Happy planning!
Traditional Jewish weddings are graced with a number of pre-ceremony events – Bedeken (Badeken) being just one.
Bedeken , which translates as veiling, is the grooms act of veiling his bride immediately before the ceremony.
There are two explanations of the tradition.
1. This custom is based on the Biblical story where Jacob – who intends to wed Rachel – actually weds Rachel’s sister Leah. He was tricked because she had a veil over her head. To avoid mistakes, Modern Jewish Grooms come to the Bride after his Tish (another pre-ceremony celebration) to place an opaque veil over her head. He does this just to make sure – just one more time -that he is marrying the correct woman.
2. The veil represents modesty and conveys the lesson that no matter how attractive the Bride – beauty fades and the soul and the character remain paramount. The veiling symbolizes the Grooms responsibility to clothe and protect his wife.
The Bedeken ceremony is traditionally public, but can also take place at a private location if it suits the Bride and groom.
Whatever the origins, the ceremony is beautiful and meaningful for the entire family.
Happy planning!
Thanks to Thomas Graves for this beautiful photograph
While an assistant many years ago, I witnessed a handfasting ceremony and it was a beautiful sight to see. The tradition is simply lovely – so I wanted to share it with you.
A handfasting is an old Pagan custom dating back to the ancient Celts. The original handfasting was a trial marriage – where the couple would declare their love for a year and a day. After the year passes, the couple could decide to go their separate ways or enter into marriage.
Today’s Wiccan and Pagan communities have embraced the handfasting ritual.
Handfasting is no different than other wedding ceremonies, in that there are variations. However, what’s common is that after intent has been declared, the hands or writs of the couple are bound together with a cord(s) during or surrounding the vows. The handfasting knot that is tied symbolizes the oneness between the couple.
The length of the cord is determined by the path that is followed by the individal Pagan or Wiccan sect, the Bride and/or Groom, or the High Priest/ess that presides over the ceremony. The numbers 9 and 3 are magical, so traditionally, the cords are 9 feet in length (or 3 meters) and are knotted at both ends.
Generally three cords are used, and each cord is a different color which corresponds to the Wiccan color magic chart. The Bride and Groom choose the colors based on what the colors mean.
White
Always burn at least one white candle to symbolize and reinforce the contact with pure spirit. Elemental spirits, Angels, Gods of wisdom, divination and prophecy. Purification and cleaning on all levels, contact with higher self and spiritual helpers, aura-healing, truth seeking, consecration, spiritual enlightenment, protection against negativity, breaking curses, exorcism, meditation, divination, inpiration, and clairvoyance. White can be a replacement for any other color.
Yellow
Elemental air. Deities for trade, travel, knowledge and magick. Vitality, change, progress, contact, communication, and trade. Confidence, joy, cheerfulness, learning, knowledge, mental clarity, concentration, speaking and writing and visualization.
Gold
Sun-deities, solar energies, and masculine energy. Abundant self confidence, creativity, perfection, financial richess, success in investments, luxury, worldly power, magickal power, overcoming bad habits and addictions.
Orange
Deities of good luck and good fortune. Charm, kindness, encouragement, stimulation, optimism, success, abundance, prosperity, feast and celebration, achieving business goals, investments, success in legal matters.
Copper or Bronze
Love-goddesses, love and passion, positive relationships in love, friendship in business, career promotions, successful negotiations.
Red
Elemental fire, deities of love, passion, sexuality and war. Courage, will-power, determination, speed, assertivity, aggression, masculinity, independence, physical strength, sports, competition, conflicts, health, sexual attraction and potency, love and passion, fertility.
Magenta
Magnetism, the ability to attract or speed up results. Life purpose, life path.
Pink
Love-goddesses, softness and tenderness, romance, caring, nurturing, youth, peace, friendship, femininity, emotional love, emotional healing.
Green
Elemental earth and elemental water. Nature and fertility deities, Mother goddesses. Nature, fertility, growth, rejuvenation, recovery, healing, harvest and abundance, prosperity, harmony, balance, peace, hope, home, plants and animals.
Turquoise
Changes, intellectual and intuitive insights, inventions and originality, renewal, brotherhood, humananity.
Blue
Elemental water and elemental air. Deities of the sea and sky, truth and wisdom. Peace and tranquility, calmness, truth, wisdom, justice, counsel, guidance, understanding and patience, loyalty and honor, sincerity, devotion, healing, femininity, prophetic dreams, protection during sleep, astral projection.
Violet
Elemental spirits, angels, and Gods of divination and prophecy. Psychic abilities, divination, counter-acting negativity and black magick, reversing curses, psychic healing, psychic power, inspiration, meditation, spirituality, spiritual power, astral projection, third eye.
Brown
Elemental earth, stability, grounding, conservation, protection of household, family and pets, healing animals, finding lost objects, buildings, material increase, to make relationships solid, to increase decisiveness and concentration, to attract help in financial crisis.
Gray
Neutralizing negative influences, putting a halt to action.
Silver
Moon-goddesses, female energy, cycles, rebirth, reincarnation, healing of hormonal imbalances, emotional stability, remove or neutralize negativity, intuition, dreams, psychic abilities and psychic workings.
Black
Elemental earth, deities of the Underworld. Repel and banish evil and negativity, protection, breaking free from bad habits and addictions, deep meditation, opens up deep unconscious levels.
This is a beautiful tradition that can be adapted to any ceremony. Lovely!
Thank you to Handfasting.org as well as the Wiccan Color Magick Chart.
Happy planning.
Sofreh - A cloth spread on the floor; used to either serve food on or for the display of the arrangements and symbols of the Persian Wedding (Aghd) and New Year (Norooz) ceremonies.
Atelier – Workshop of an artist or designer.
Salaam. The Sofreh is one of the most beautiful and sacred traditions that I have seen. Sofreh Atelier Provides Persian Couples – Sofreh Aghd for rent, custom staging for your Sofreh, consultation for the DIY couple, rental and sale items, and Sofreh -haft for your Norooz Event in Maryland, DC, Virginia and beyond! Since flowers are central to Sofreh, our friends Mahsa and Shahed will happily work with your florist or recommend great florists that they have previously worked with.
Traditional items placed on a Sofreh – Mirror (ayneh), candle holders (shamdoon), the spread (termeh or other elaborate cloth), bread (naan), decorated eggs, decorated nuts, crystallized sugar (nabaat), sugar cones (Kaleh ghand), honey (asal), sabzi (herbs), fruit (miveh), esfand (rue), sweets (shirini) and the Holy book.
Mahsa and Shahed
Thanks to our photographers – Thomas Van Veen and SOTA Designs
Happy Planning!
The Chuppah
The Chuppah or Bridal canopy is the central tradition in most Jewish weddings. Typically, it’s made of a cloth covering attached to four poles that are burrowed into the ground, or supported by four honored friends or family members. Always open on all sides, The Chuppah symbolizes the new Jewish home that the couple creates for one other. During the ceremony, the couple, their parents, the Rabbi, and often the Bridal attendants will stand underneath the Chuppah.
Chuppahs are traditionally made. Sometimes people will use their grandparent’s Chuppah, or make their own. One of my Brides had a very beautiful Chuppah – which was sewn together from individual squares by members of her immediate family. Chuppahs can also be rented, and adorned with flowers and other decorations.
From top left…
Erika and Matt’s wedding in Baltimore – photography by Thomas Graves
An wonderful patchwork Chuppah seen on One Wed
Gorgeous Chuppah rentals through Charm City Chuppahs
Happy Planning!
Thursday is the day to present beautiful wedding traditions – not only in Persian weddings – but different customs from all around the world.
I enjoy making a ceremony more unique and personalized by incorporating beautiful traditions in each and every wedding.
So – sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty and elegant tradition that will unfold before your eyes!
Sofreh Aghd
Persian Mirror1. Mirror (of fate) “Aayeneh-ye Bakht” and two 
Candelabras (representing the bride and groom and brightness in their future) . They symbolize light and fire. The Bride enters the room with her veil. When she sits to the left of her Bridegroom and removes her veil, the first thing he will see in the mirror is his Bride-to-be.
2. A tray of seven multi-colored herbs and spices “Sini-ye Aatel-O-Baatel”- to drive away evil spirits
3. A specially baked and decorated flatbread “Noon-e Sangak” – Prosperity for life.
4. A basket of decorated eggs and a basket of decorated almonds, Walnuts and Hazelnuts for fertility.
5. A basket of pomegranates and/or apples for a joyous future.
6. A cup of rose water extracted from special Persian roses “Gol-e Mohammadi”to make the air sweet
7. A cup of honey to sweeten life. The couple offers the other a dab on their fingertip.
8. Two sugar cones “Kalleh Ghand” made out of hardened sugar to be used during the ceremony. These sugar cones are grinded together above the bride and bridegroom’s head (over the scarf held above their heads) throughout the ceremony to shower them in sugar (symbolizing sweetness and happiness).
9. A needle and seven strands of colored thread to figuratively sew up the mother-in-law’s lips from speaking unpleasant words to the bride!
10. A brazier “Manghal” holding burning coals sprinkled with wild rue “Espand” a popular incense to bring health to the new family.
11. A bowl of gold coins representing wealth and prosperity.
12. A copy of the couple’s Holy Book is placed on the spread. For Christian couples, it would be the Bible, for Zorastians Avesta, For Muslims Qur’an, …. This symbolizes God’s blessing for the couple.
13. A Scarf or Shawl made 
out of Silk or any other fine fabric to be held over the bride and bridegroom’s head throughout the ceremony by various happily married female relatives (mostly bride’s close family members).
14. A bowl made out of crystallized sugar “Kaas-e Nabaat/Shaakh-e Nabaat” to sweeten life for the newly wed.
Photography by Thomas Graves Photography
Happy Planning!
Washington DC in March is one of the most beautiful places. New life abound – the cherry blossoms blooming – a first hand view of Washington DC’s most stunning monuments. With the floor to ceiling atrium windows, I cannot imagine a more beautiful wedding reception than treating your guests to a front row view of Washington DC -while cruising around the Potomac. This is exactly what this couple treated their 150 guests to – a night of enchantment.
This wonderfu
l couple, brought together by fate, came from two entirely different backgrounds – hers Korean – and his American, but both totally in love. They combined their love to treat their guests to a multicultural affair that both they and their guests will forever remember. Adorned in a beautiful designer gown and him in a tux, they renewed their vows in high fashion-while docked in Washington DC’s SE side, known for its great harbor and even better seafood. After the ceremony, the ship “set sail” to a cruise of magnificent proportions.
After an abundant cocktail hour of heavy Hors D’oeuvres and drink, guests were able to order of menus and feasted on a 3 course meal fit for kings/queens! While eating, the Bride and Groom partook in many traditional wedding rituals; such as, the First dance and parent dances. After dinner, the 5 piece band opened the floor to all guests!
The Bride and Groom cut their simple 3 tiered cake, and quickly went to change for the traditional Korean bowing ceremony. Guests were 
treated to an elegant Chocolate Foutain, with a variety of fresh fruit and sweets as an accompaniment to the delicous yellow wedding cake.
The night seemed to end as soon as it started. The simple set up 
lead to a magnificent evening full of light, love, Washington DC sites, but more importantly a memorable occasion for all!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, and the entrance into the season which is not known for “saving” – here is a list of suggestions on how to cut your wedding costs.
1. Cut the guest list – if possible. Sometimes it’s not possible due to family situations etc. This is the number 1 way of cutting costs.
2. Freelance photographer – A great “freelance” photographer might fit the bill. Often, the wedding is looked through a fresh and creative lens. Expensive back-end costs are often reduced. Warning – if a professional album is your goal, this might not be a viable option for you. Tip – one might even reduce their cost, for a chance at getting a great wedding in their portfolio!
3. Trunk shows and sample sales are great!
4. Opting for a smaller “show” cake and offering sheet cakes in the back.
5. Cutting the alcohol out of your bar (they will survive one night, I promise). Nobody is saying that you have to offer, but if you offer it – you should pay for it.
6. Choosing a venue that has table, chairs, glassware, silver, etc. Covering the chairs is not as expensive as renting ones (if you find an economic rental solution. Don’t rent the covers through the venue).
7. Choosing a venue you are happy with, decor wise – choosing a venue that you do not like because it’s inexpensive, and then paying twice the rental fee in decor – is not a good plan.
8. Cutting out favors, or combining favors and place cards into one offering.
10. Make every aspect of your wedding matter. Follow this rule of thumb, “don’t just do it because you think you “need’ to do it. Do it because it has a significance to you, your fiancé, your families (collectively) and your guests”. Make the significance known to everyone.
9. Downsize your wedding party (or no wedding party at all).
10. Ceremony and reception in one place – no need to transport yourselves and/or your guests.
11. Renting instead of buying. Check prices. You will only use this stuff once, and renting will eliminate the need to sell afterwards.
12. Getting married during the “off” season. Many vendors would love to work early December, January and February – when things are typically quiet. They might even offer you a terrific deal if you give them your wedding!
m made dress as opposed to buying a gown at a bridal salon. I had a bride who loved a $3,500.00 dress. We got a dress made out of “real” silk satin, a cathedral veil which was lined in the same fabric, and a bolero jacket – all for $2,000.00. If that’s not cost savings, I don’t know what is.
15. Create a realistic budget and prioritize. Be honest to yourself and your vendors about how much you can and/or want to spend on your big day.
16. Hire a planner who has a strong network of vendors that they always use. This will save you time and money.
I hope this list will offer you realistic ideas on not only helping you cut costs, but also on maintaining the spirit of your day!
Happy planning!
