Happy Birthday to Me!!

Hi lovely readers,

For some of you today is a "spooky" day, for me it's my 57th birthday. I was born on a Thursday so my 1st birthday was on Friday the 13th!

Here are some 13 facts~

• Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th
• Friday the 13th didn’t become a  superstitious day until the Victorian Era
• The movie with Jason first came out in on May 1980
• Judas was the 13th guest at the Last Supper
• Loki was the 13th guest at Valhalla
• A book called "Friday the 13th" came out in 1907. It's about an unscrupulous stockbroker
• There are 13 lunar cycles in a year
• Both Friday & 13 have roots in paganism
• Then of course, there's Taylor Swift and her love of the number 

Any others?

Traditions & Superstitions~The Men

On this edition of Traditions & Superstitions we are going to talk about men! Their attire, groomsmen, & even the boys.

• The word bridegroom is from the 17th century, It is from the word bride and the archaic goom, from Old English guma, "boy"



• A Groom usually has a best man and groomsmen.



• What the groom wears depends upon the time of day, the location of the ceremony, the style in which the ceremony is performed, and whether or not the groom is a member of the armed forces.



• In most parts of the world, active-duty members of the military and some law enforcement agencies wear their military uniforms instead of civilian clothing.



• In the US, the groom usually wears a dark-coloured suit during the day or tuxedo in the evening



• In the united Kingdom, the groom, male ushers and close male family to wear morning suits.



• We call the male attendants groomsman in the US and usher in the UK



• Groomsmen used to be called bride-knights. They were there to help the groom capture his bride.



• Nowadays the help the groom plan his bachelor party, assist with the gifts, they might even help decorate the get-away car.



• Men might be asked to be ushers without being in the wedding ceremony. To help with the seating of guests during the ceremony



• For a military officer's wedding, they have swordsmen of the sword honor guard. .



• Swordsmen form the traditional saber arch for the married couple and guests to walk through



• The Best man is the chief male assistant to the bridegroom at a wedding.



• If the groom chooses a woman she could be either Best Woman or Honor Attendant



• A Best man's duties are to assist the groom on the wedding day, keep the wedding rings safe until needed during the ceremony, act as a legal witness to the marriage, and
  make the first toast to the bride and groom at the reception.



• A page boy is a young male attendant at a wedding. Traditionally, page boys carried the bride's train, especially if it was a long train. Page boys are generally no younger than age seven.



• In a formal wedding, the ring bearer is a special page who carries the wedding rings for the bridal party.



• The ring bearer as a separate role is a fairly modern. If you don't have one, the best man carries the rings.
  

• 
  
  Traditionally the bride stands to the left of the groom. That way his right arm is free to fend off attackers and use his sword.
  

The Tuxedo

There are a couple of differnt stories about the origins of the tuxedo.

The first one is about Pierre Lorillard. His family were wealthy tobacco magnates who owned country property in Tuxedo Park, just outside of New York City. At a formal ball, held at the Tuxedo Club in October 1886, Pierre Lorillard made a new style of formal wear for men. He cut the tails off of a black jacket, like the jackets worn for a fox hunt. He decided not to wear it, but his son Griswold and his friends did. He decided to name his tailless black jacket the tuxedo after Tuxedo Park. The tuxedo caught on and became fashionable as formal wear for men.

The other story is about a resident of Tuxedo Park, James Brown Potter, he was vacationing in England in the summer of 1886. James and his wife, Cora were introduced to the Prince of Wales at a ball in London. Potter asked the Prince for advice on formal dress. The Prince sent him to his tailor on Saville Row, Henry Poole & Co. Potter was then fitted with a short black jacket and black tie. At the time formal tails with white tie that was worn in the United States for formal occasions. This new tailless formal wear was said to have been designed by the Prince of Wales. The Prince and his tailor drew inspiration from the British military uniforms of the time, which used short jackets with black ties.

The two stories come together in Tuxedo Park where James Brown Potter brought the design back, then Pierre Lorillard modified it, named it, and his son made it popular during the Autumn ball. So that is why you probably will be wearing a tuxedo instead of formal tails.

Happy Reading,

The photo of Pierce Bronsan as James Bond is courtesy of the BBC. I personally think nobody where's a tux like him! Mr. Joyeux is a close second! Although, I have never seen him in a black tux. His was silver for our wedding.

Traditions & Superstitions~The Invitation

Letterpress invitation by Bella Figura.

Today on Traditions & Superstitions we are going to talk about why there are so many rules to do with the invitations and where they came from.

• In the Middle Ages, invitations were written in calligraphy by monks, for the nobility.
• They were considered a luxury. Most people couldn't read or write
• Before then the town crier would announce to all the impending marriage.
• The envelope was usually sealed with a wax impression of the host's coat of arms.
• The printing press was invented in 1447 by Gutenberg.
• In 1642, the invention of metal plate engraving printing brought wedding invitation printing to the middle class.
• Engraving is done by handwriting on metal in reverse and then printing on the paper.
• Tissue paper was put on top of the invitation to prevent smudging, in case you were wondering what to do with it.
• Each guests name was also engraved on the invitation.
• During the 17th century people started announcing their weddings in the paper.
• Lithography was introduced in 1798. This method uses chemicals to produce an image.
• Lithography made it possible to mass-produce wedding invitations.
• During the Victorian times invitations were made by lithography or handwritten.
• They also usually sent them out only about two weeks before the event, instead of the six to eight weeks now.
• The invitations were delivered by foot or horseback. The post service wasn't reliable.
• The invitation was put into two envelopes since the outer envelope could be soiled en route.
• The outer envelope was thrown away by the butler before it reached the guest.
• The inner one was presented to the invited guest clean and pretty. It is the one without a seal.
• The wording is from the nobility and society mavens.
• Traditional invitation wording is the most formal of English, from Victorian times.
• For ceremonies taking place in a house of worship, use request the honour of your presence.
• For ceremonies taking place in a non-religious setting should say, request the pleasure of your company.
• Traditionally, invitations are written in black ink on white or cream paper.
• They were printed in a script font.
• Using titles for everybody on the invitation makes it formal.
• If you are getting married in an untraditional way you can be a lot more creative with the wording.
• The names on your wedding invitations should be the same as on your birth certificate.
• In 1973, the US Postal service started issuing their LOVE stamp.
• You can now order personalized stamps through the USPS at Stamps.com, Zazzle or a few other companies.
• You can have the post office hand stamp the invitation.
• It is not proper to put no gifts, the gift registry or give to a charity instead of gifts on the invitation, no matter what kind of wedding you are having.
• Today's letterpress invitations are made on antique machines.
• According to Wedding Paper Divas, the top invitation trends for 2009 are birds, peacock feathers, flowers, dandelions, and branches.

Happy Reading,

Traditions & Superstitions-Flowers

Do you wonder why we carry a bouquet on our wedding day? Why a wedding is not complete without flowers? Here are some the answers and a guide to the meaning of some flowers.

• Flowers have always been a part of weddings as away to show love and well wishes for the couple.
• In ancient times couples wore garlands or wreaths of garlic, herbs and spices instead of flowers to keep away evil spirits.
• In ancient Greece and Rome, the garlands symbolized new life, hope and fertility.
• The bridal bouquet was inspired from garlands and wreaths worn around the heads of both the groom and bride. The garland was considered a symbol of love and happiness.
• Dill is the herb of lust. When carried with the garlic down the aisle the bride would lust only for her husband.
• Sage is the herb for wisdom. When carried with the garlic it is said that the bride would gather great wisdom and learn goodness.
• Traditional Celtic bouquets include ivy, thistle and heather.
• In Germany, couples would hold candles with flowers and ribbons tied to them, during the ceremony.
• In India, the grooms brother sprinkles flower petals over the bride and groom at the end of the wedding ceremony to help ward of any evil spirits.
• In Sweden, the bridesmaids carry little bouquets of aromatic herbs and the groom carries thyme in his pockets as they walk down the aisle to scare off trolls.
• In Austria, the brides would crown their veils with the flowers of life.
• In England, as the bride and her bridesmaids walk to the church together. A small girl would lead them to the church while sprinkling flower blossoms along the path so the bride will have a life filled with flowers and happiness. {today's flower girl}.
• When herbs where still used in weddings, a kissing knot was made with rosemary and roses tied together. The kissing knot was suspended over the heads of the bride and groom at the head table, to bring good luck and lots of love to the couple and everyone sitting at the table.
• Some cultures and religions still intertwine herbs with flowers in order to celebrate their marriage with a gift from nature.
• By the 1800's, the herbs and spices had been replaced by fresh flowers, especially marigolds.
• Edible flowers were still included in the bouquet.
• Small nosegays were placed beside every plate at the reception, to wish the guests happiness and long lives.
• In Victorian times, flowers became the secret messengers of lovers; each flower having its own meaning.
• It is believed that 'the flower language' began in Turkey during the seventeenth century. Lovers began using floral exchanges to convey messages.
• These meanings are based on a science known as Florigraphy, 'the flower language'. Many flower lovers followed this language as it revealed underlying messages to sending and receiving flowers.
• In modern times, brides pick their flowers on what they like. Flowers that suit their personality, style and taste.

This bouquet courtesy of Wedding Flowers and Reception Ideas.

Here are some common wedding flowers and their meanings~

• Ambrosia~Your Love is Reciprocated
• Amaryllis~Pride, Pastoral Poetry
• Anemone~ Forsaken
• Aster~Symbol of Love, Daintiness
• Azalea~Take Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion, Chinese Symbol of Womanhood
• Baby's Breath~Festivity, Pure Heart
• Bachelor Button~Single Blessedness, Hope, Devotion
• Pink Camellia~Longing for you
• Red Camellia~You're a Flame in My Heart
• White Camellia~You're Adorable
• Carnation~Fascination, Woman Love
• Pink Carnation~I'll Never Forget You
• Red Carnation~My Heart Aches For You, Admiration
• Carnation~ Yes
• Striped Carnation~No, Refusal, Sorry I Can't Be With You, Wish I Could Be With You
• White Carnation~Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman's Good Luck Gift
• Yellow Carnation~You Have Disappointed Me, Rejection
• Cattail~ Peace, Prosperity
• Chrysanthemum~You're a Wonderful Friend, Cheerfulness and Rest
• White Chrysanthemum~Truth
• Yellow Chrysanthemum~Slighted Love
• Crocus~Cheerfulness
• Daffodil~Regard, Unrequited Love, You're the Only One, The Sun is Always Shining when I'm with You
• Dahlia~Elegance, Dignity, Good Taste
• Daisy~Innocence, Loyal Love, I'll Never Tell, Purity
• Gerbera Daisy~Innocence, Gentleness, Loyal Love
• Edelweiss~Daring, Noble, Courageous
• Forget-Me-Not~True Love, Memories
• Freesia~Innocence, Trust, Friendship, Spirited
• Gardenia~You're Lovely, Secret Love
• Geranium~Stupidity, Folly
• Lavender Heather~Admiration, Solitude
• White Heather~Protection, Wishes Will Come True
• Hibiscus~Delicate Beauty
• Hyacinth~Games and Sports, Flower Dedicated to Apollo
• White Hyacinth~Loveliness, I'll Pray for You
• Hydrangea~Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity, Heartlessness
• Iris~Fleur-de-lis, Emblem of France, Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valor
• Ivy~Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection
• Jasmine~Grace, Elegance, Joy
• Jonquil~Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy, Desire for Affection Returned
• Pink Larkspur~Fickleness
• Lavender~Distrust
• Lilac~First Love, Youthful Innocence
• White Lily~Virginity, Purity, Majesty, It's Heavenly to be with You
• Yellow Lily~I'm Walking on Air
• Amazon Lily~Maiden Charms
• Calla Lily~Beauty
• Casablanca Lily~Celebration
• Day Lily~Coquetry, Chinese Emblem for Mother
• Stargazer Lily~Ambition
• Tiger Lily~Wealth, Pride
• Lily of the Valley~Sweetness, You've Made My Life Complete
• Magnolia~Nobility
• Myrtle~Love, Hebrew Emblem of Marriage
• Narcissus~Egotism, Formality, Stay as Sweet as You Are
• Orange Blossom~Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness
• Orchid~Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children
• Cattleya Orchid~Mature Charm
• Pansy~Loving Thoughts
• Peony~Happy Life, Happy Marriage
• Red Poppy~Pleasure
• Yellow Poppy~Wealth, Success
• Primrose~I Can't Live Without You
• Queen Anne's Lace~Fantasy
• Bridal Rose~Happy Love
• Pink Rose~Perfect Happiness, Please Believe Me
• Red Rose~Love, I Love You
• Tea Rose~I'll Remember Always
• Thorn-less Rose~Love at First Sight
• White Rose~Innocence and Purity, You're Heavenly
• White & Red Rose~Unity, Flower Emblem of England
• White-Dried Rose~Death is Preferable to Loss of Virtue
• Yellow Rose~Decrease of Love, Jealousy, Try to Care
• Rosebud~Beauty and Youth, A Heart Innocent of Love
• Red Rosebud~Pure and Lovely
• White Rosebud~Girlhood
• Single Rose ~Love You, I Still Love You
• Snapdragon~Deception, Gracious Lady
• Star of Bethlehem~Hope
• Stephanotis~Happiness in Marriage
• Sunflower~Adoration, Homage, Devotion
• Sweet pea~Good-bye, Departure
• Tulip~ Perfect Lover, Flower of Holland
• Red Tulip~Believe Me, Declaration of Love
• Variegated Tulip~Beautiful Eyes
• White Violet~ Let's Take a Chance
• Wisteria~Youth, Poetry, Steadfast
• White Zinnia~Goodness
• Yellow Zinnia ~Daily Remembrance

Happy Reading~

The top photo is of my bouquet.

Traditions & Superstitions-Pre-Wedding Parties

Photo courtesy of The Hostess with the Mostess.

This month's edition is about all the Pre-Wedding Parties.

Engagement Party

• Traditionally it is hosted by the Bride's parents about a month or two after the announcement.
• Any one can host it now.
• It can be as formal or informal as you want.
• Sometimes guests will bring gifts but not everybody will.

Bridal Shower

• To shower the Bride with love and good wishes.
• Traditionally they were hosted by the Maid of Honor.
• It is an alternative to the dowry/trousseau (the money, goods, or estate that the woman brings to her marriage).
• There is the Dutch story of a young maiden who loved a young miller. The miller was so generous to others that he didn't save up money for himself. Since the miller was not rich, the maiden's father disapproved and refused to give her a dowry. The whole town loved the couple so they decided to give the girl a dowry by giving her something of theirs. With these items they 'showered' the maiden.
• During the Victorian Era family and friends would put small gifts into a parasol and then pore them over the brides' head.
• They started here in the US in the late 1800's, with the upper middle class.
• By the 1930's people were giving bridal showers all across the US.
• One of the earliest reports of the new tradition is in the Grand Rapids Michigan Evening Press 22 on June 4, 1904: "The ‘shower parties’ that through mistaken hospitality the wedded couple are forced to attend..."
• A shower emphasizes traditional gender roles.
• In an etiquette guide from the 1920's it said that showers should be "purely spontaneous and informal", with guests arriving unannounced at the bride-to-be's home.
• During the 1950's they started to be more complex with themes and games.
• Friendship and support is at the center of the bridal shower tradition.
• Showers are meant to be an outpouring from the community.
• They are not usually arranged or hosted by the brides immediate relatives.
• Sunday afternoon is the traditional time for a bridal shower.
• Registry information wasn't usually included in the invitation. Although, we usually put it into a shower invitation now.
• Nowadays it is common to have couples shower's so everybody can participate.
• Was the only pre-wedding party for a woman.

The Bachelor Party { Stag, Bull's or Buck's}

• It is thought that the Bachelor Party originated in Sparta around 5 BC. Soldiers would toast and pay homage to the groom on his last night of being a single man.
• It is usually thrown by the Best Man or the groom's brothers.
• The party usually involves drinking, going to strip club or hiring a stripper and gambling.
• Sometimes they involved hazing and pranks towards the groom.
• It is a rite of passage for a man from being an bachelor (adolescent lifestyle) to a more responsible married adult.
• Historically, it was held the night before the wedding. Although, in recent times it is held well in advance of the wedding day.

Bachelorette Party{Hen Party or Stagette}

• The bachelorette party is modeled after the centuries-old bachelor's party.
• In its modern form, it is thought that the bachelorette party may have begun during the sexual revolution of the 1960's.
• From the 60's to the 80's women just went out for drinks after the shower.
• It wasn't that common till the mid-1980's.
• The first book on planning bachelorette parties wasn't published until 1998.
• Its cultural significance is largely tied to concepts of gender equality.
• A bachelorette party is an expression of social and sexual freedom.
• Initially, woman would attend male revues, asking strangers intimate questions, or just got drunk.
• Destination weekends are becoming more popular for both the men and the women to celebrate the end of their singlehood.

Bridesmaids Luncheon or Tea

• The bride hosts this.
• It is to thank the bridesmaids for all their help during the wedding planning process.
• Usually held a few days before the wedding.
• A girls only affair.
• A classy event.

Rehearsal Dinner

• Tradtionally hosted by the groom's parents.
• It should be after the ceremony rehearsal.
• Normally, it is held the night before the wedding. Sometimes 2 days before.
• It can be as formal or as casual as you want.
• All parents and the bridal party attend with their significant others.
• You can include your out-of-town guests.

Happy Planning,

Traditions & Superstitions-The Bride's Attire

This edition of Traditions and Superstitions is based on the Bride's Attire. Why we wear what we do.

Brides were always thought of being vulnerable to evil spirits. Many of our wedding customs and traditions originated as an attempt to fight them away.

The Dress

• Ann of Brittany started the tradition of the white wedding dress in 1499 when she married King Louis XII of France. And so it begins.
• Queen Victoria wore a white dress at her wedding in 1840. Royals usually wore silver to their weddings. She's the reason we do it today.
• The tradition of virgins wearing white began with the Romans. They would wear white to celebrations.
• Royal British brides sew a silver horseshoe into the hem of their gowns.
• Until the 1800's women wore their best dress, usually red or yellow.
• During biblical times, bridal dresses were usually blue since it symbolized purity.
• Beginning in early Roman times, white symbolized a joyful celebration.
• Since the Middle Ages, the length of the train equaled your rank in court. The longer the train, the higher your favor was with the King & Queen. Remember Princess Diana's?
• During the twentieth century white stood for purity. Today it just means happiness.
• If you look in the mirror right before you leave to the ceremony it will bring you good luck. But, if you look in one again before your ceremony your luck will tarnish to bad.
• It is bad luck to make your own wedding dress.
• You also shouldn't wear all of your ensemble before your wedding day. Some women leave a stitch undone till their wedding day.
• The English believe a spider found in a wedding dress means good luck.
• Here is a Victorian Poem about the color of the dress~
  Married in White, you have chosen right
  Married in Grey, you will go far away,
  Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,
  Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
  Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
  Married in Blue, you will always be true,
  Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,
  Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
  Married in Brown, you will live in the town,
  Married in Pink, you spirit will sink

The Veil

• The veil was worn with the belief that it would disguise the bride and fool the evil spirits.
• Early Greek and Roman brides wore either yellow or red veils.
• Early Christian brides wore white or purple.
• The veil originally symbolized the bride's virginity, innocence, and modesty.
• Historically, the bridal veil relates to the head coverings worn by unmarried and married women in different cultures as a sign of modesty and female subservience.
• The veil as a symbol of purity, is from the Judaic tradition when Rebbecca wore a veil to cover her face when she met Issac on their wedding day.
• In the bible, Leah tricked Jacob into marrying her instead of his beloved Rachael by wearing a heavy veil and concealing her face.
• The reason we wear veils here in the United States is because of Nelly Curtis. She was standing behind a sheer curtain when her fiance, Major Lawrence Lewis, an aide of George Washington, told her how beautiful she looked. So of course, she decided to wear one on their wedding day.
• The lifting of the veil at the end of the ceremony symbolizes male dominance. If a bride lifts her veil first, presenting herself to him, she is showing her independence.

Headpieces

• The earliest brides topped their heads with floral and herbal wreaths.
• Queen Victoria wore a crown of orange blossoms and myrtle, instead of a tiara.
• The earliest tiaras are from ancient Egypt. They used them to decorate the heads of royal mummies.
• In Greece, goldsmiths created tiaras to adorn the heads of statues of their Gods and priests. They also awarded tiaras to contest champions. Remember the Athens Olympics.
• Highly ranked individuals wore them during social functions and special occasions in Ancient Greece and Rome.
• Inspired by ancient Rome, women of the court in the 1700's used tiara designs that were simple and symmetrical. These tiaras were usually decorated with laurel and olive leaves.
• English jewelers were designing finer, sought after tiaras early in the 19th Century. That's when brides started wearing them to their weddings. It was the birth of the wedding tiara.
• In the middle of the 19th century all across Europe, court life flourished and magnificent jewelry tiaras became all the rage.
• In the early 1900, more tiaras were worn than ever before.

Gloves

• Are symbols of modesty and romance.
• Without the 'g', they are 'a pair of loves'.
• Princesses almost always wear them.
• Tuck a sugar cube into your glove and the sugar will sweeten your union.
• During the 18th and 19th centuries, gloves were the traditional wedding favor for all guests.
• Up until the 1960's, all well-mannered ladies wore them, even during the day.
• Formal etiquette still says that a bride should wear gloves as a symbol of grace.

The Handkerchief

• The wedding handkerchief is usually passed down from mother to daughter and from generation to generation.
• Early farmers thought a bride's wedding day tears were lucky and that they would bring rain for their crops.
• It is thought that a crying bride meant that she would never shed another tear about her marriage.
• We now use a handkerchief to dab away our tears of happiness and joy.

The Garter

• It's how most bride's achieve their something blue.
• Brides wore a blue ribbon to signify "fidelity" in ancient Israel.

The Somethings are actually from a Victorian rhyme.

• Something Old-something passed down through the bride's family. A symbol of continuity.
• Something New-is for good luck in the bride's new life and new family.
• Something Borrowed-should be on 'loan' from a happily married woman, that way her luck 'rubs' of on the bride.
• Something Blue-represents faithfulness, purity, hope and love.
• Silver Sixpence in your Shoe-it should be in the bride's left shoe for wealth and happiness in her marriage. Not only financial wealth but a wealth of happiness and joy throughout her married life.

Shoes

• There's a Turkey custom that has all of the bridesmaid's sign the bottom of the bride's shoe and whichever name wears off first will be the next to wed and gets to keep the shoes.
  

• Modern Traditions-I am loving the colorful shoe. Brides are now adding splashes of color to their gowns if not forgoing the white gown altogether. I love having your something blue not being a garter, but maybe shoes, toe nail polish, or what I did, a heart toe ring with blue stones.

Happy Reading,

The photo is of me.

Traditions & Superstitions-The Engagement & Wedding Ring

• It represents a formal agreement to a future marriage.
• The engagement ring, or betrothal ring dates from the earliest days of marriage by purchase. It was partial payment for the bride and a symbol of the grooms honorable intentions.
• The first ring is from a mythological legend. Prometheus smelted a ring from the forbidden fire of the gods for the love of mankind.
• The engagement ring at first, was for both the betrothal and wedding.
• The diamond was first discovered in India. It was valued more for its durability and strength than for its beauty.
• The word diamond is from the Greek word adamas "unconquerable". In Latin the word is diamas.
• Egyptians thought of the circle, a shape that does not have a beginning or an end, as a reminder that life, happiness, and love do not have a beginning or an end. Eternity.
• The tradition of placing the wedding band and engagement ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is from ancient times. It is believed that particular finger contains the vena amoris or "vein of love" and that it leads directly to the heart.
• With Romans, the tradition was established to give a ring as a public pledge that the marriage contract would be honored.
• Plain rings of gold, silver or iron were what couples used first.
• One of the first recorded accounts of an engagement ring was in 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring. Maximilian wed Mary within 24 hours.
• Diamonds were reserved for royalty and the wealthy until 187o, when they discovered the diamond mines in South Africa. That's when diamonds became more accessible and affordable to the rest of us.
• Posy rings, which were inscribed with love poems and messages, were popular betrothal rings from the Middle Ages until Victorian times.
• The smallest engagement ring on record was given to two-year-old Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII. She became betrothed to the infant Dauphin of France, son of King Francis I, in 1518. Her tiny gold ring was set with a diamond.
• Hearts were favorite motifs for engagement and wedding rings during the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Some couples in the 17th century wore their wedding rings on their thumb.
• Colored stones were the gem of choice for engagement rings in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• The Victorians believed in the hidden means of gemstones.
• An opal brought good fortune.
• Rubies are the color of the heart.
• A sapphire is the color of the heavens.
• An emerald helps with fertility.
• A garnet meant you would be life-long best friends.
• An amethyst helped the wearer avoid drunkenness.
• Pearls were avoided since they resembled tears and were formed in the "tears" of the oyster forming them.
• The "Tiffany" or solitaire setting was invented in 1886.
• Platinum was the metal of choice for engagement rings during the early 20th century.
• In 1947, DeBeers started their ad "A Diamond is Forever" in the United States.
• During World War II platinum was declared a strategic metal and wasn't allowed to be used in jewelry. This led to the rise of both yellow and white gold in bridal jewelry.
• By the end of World War II the diamond engagement ring was what most American couples choose.
• The double ring ceremony is from a failed male engagement ring campaign by American jewelers.
• Then in the 1920's jewelers decided to focus on just the wedding ring, which wasn't a common Western tradition.
• During the 1940's images of soldiers wearing wedding bands were shown to Americans as a way to show the soldiers commitment from afar.
• After the war the groom's ring became a symbol of masculinity. The ability of a man to provide for his wife and children.
• The wording of the wedding ceremony was changed from ring to rings for this new tradition.
• In 1981, DeBeers came up with the two months salary ad.
• In the last few years platinum has become popular again.

Happy Reading,

Traditions & Superstitions-Proposing & Setting the Date

Traditions-there are so many that make up a wedding. From the Yes of the engagement to walking down the aisle and saying I Do.

So today, I'm starting a weekly series about all the traditions & superstitions that are a part of the wedding and the events surrounding it. Starting with Proposing & Setting the Date.

Proposing-
The guy getting down on one knee is believed to be from English knight's. They dropped to their knees when gaining the king's favor or asking for a lady's.

The act of proposing started only after betrothals {arranged marriages} were no longer a binding contract. Proposing has only been around for a couple of centuries.

Asking the Bride's father for her hand in marriage-
It started off as time to negotiate over the dowry and marriage contract. Now it has become more of a tradition & proper etiquette.

Engagement- Means "to bind by a pledge". Engagements started off being a time for both families to come up with a price for the bride.

Setting the Date-
Here's an old English poem about the months.
Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can Joy for the Maiden and for Man.
Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for the daily bread.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snow fall fast, marry and true love will last.

The reason June has traditionally been the most popular month is because Juno is the Roman goddess of marriage, hearth & childbirth, so why not get married during her month!!! May was when the Feast of the Dead was observed that's why you will surely rue the day. January is Hera's month. The defender of women and the wife of Zeus. This was a time for fertility rites. September is the month of the full harvest moon, fertility time, too. Then there is April, Venus' month and she of course, is the goddess of LOVE!!!

Here's a poem about the days of the week.
Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday best of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all.

Sunday is not mentioned since most Christian weddings normally took place on the Sabbath and the work week was six days. Then the Puritans decided that couples should stop getting married on Sunday. It is after all the day of rest, not fun. Of course, Saturday is now the most popular day to get married on. Superstition or not?

The time of the wedding- It is thought that you should get married between the half-hour and the hour since the second hand is rising. That way you get started on the upswing, which can lead to good fortune.

Then there's the Victorian tradition that the luckiest time to get married is on the same day of the week that the Groom was born, better yet, on the Groom's birthday.

Of course, some of this is superstition & some of this is tradition. Do what makes sense to you. As along as you're happy & in love what does it matter!!!

Next time will be about the Engagement & Engagement Rings.