Why White? » Traditions

Wedding Cake Traditions

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:09:51 +0000

There are many different stories relating to the tradition of the wedding cake; it would seem that this type of cake has been a feature of weddings since medieval times. All those centuries ago it would have been made of wheat and was a symbol of prosperity and fertility. After the ceremony the cakes would have been thrown at the bride.

In ancient Roman times small cakes would have been made from baking a mixture of wheat and salt to be eaten. These would probably have resembled biscuits rather than small cakes; however during the ceremony the groom would eat some and then break the rest over the brides head. This was supposed to be a sign of good fortune with a blessing for a long life.

One of the traditions was to stack the small cakes into a tall pile on a table in front of the bride and groom, the higher the stack of cakes was an indication of the wealth and prosperity. The idea transferred to stacking the cakes neatly together and then icing them together.

There is another tradition going back to the 17th century, while travelling through England a French chef heard of this cake piling tradition and was appalled at this ritual. It was he who came up with the idea to construct them into one solid cake. The tiered cake had to be prepared and made days in advance and to stop it from drying out was iced with lard.

When the cake was needed for the ceremony the lard was scraped off before serving, it was years later that sugar was added to the lard to improve the taste, consequently the lard was never scraped off again but was left on as a decorative icing. Those who were less affluent had what was known as a brides pie, this was a sought of mince pie that consisted of sweet breads or savoury mutton pie, placed inside would have been a glass ring.

The tradition following the ring was that the lady who found it would be the next one to marry. It was the 18th century before the bride pie disappeared and this was the time that the more traditional cake you know of today became popular. This is the rich fruit cake, layered with marzipan and covered with white icing. The customary tradition in the 19th century was that anybody who could not attend the wedding was sent a portion of the wedding cake; it was because of this that larger cakes with more tiers were made.

Wedding cakes of today come in all different colours and sizes often to represent the theme of the wedding chosen by the bride. However the symbol regarding a traditional white wedding cake used to represent a sign of fertility and purity. The symbol was also a sign of wealth because only the finest refined sugar was used to make the white icing.

A tradition that is sometimes used today is for the newly married couple to keep the top tier of the wedding cake. The tradition for this was for the cake to be used at the christening of the couple’s first child, although this has changed for some couples who keep it for their first anniversary.

Wedding Traditions

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:10:56 +0000

Many of the modern wedding traditions we wouldn't think about excluding from wedding ceremonies actually originated in European medieval times. And while some beginnings did start romantically, not all of them did!

Originally the engagement ring was given to the bride as part of the dowry the groom owed the bride's father. After all, the bride was an important working member of her family, and the father wasn't about to let her go without getting some payment in return. Eventually, the engagement ring started including a diamond, as this was considered more valuable and made the bond even more secure. Italians gave diamond engagement rings with more romantic feelings—they believed that love's flames created diamonds.

However, if the groom decided to forgo the dowry, he would just capture his bride. This, though, often involved having to fight the family. So the groom would take his closest friend to help. This best man would also accompany the groom throughout the wedding in order to help protect the bride. Having to defend the bride also brought on the tradition of the groom standing on the bride's right. He needed to have his sword arm free in order to quickly be able to guard his treasure.

The groom's boutonniere heralds back to the time of knights and their ladies. When a knight rode off to battle, his lady would give him flowers, which he wore as a symbol of their true and lasting love for each other.

The bridal veil started when arranged marriages didn't allow the groom to see his bride's face until after the wedding ceremony. Some families were afraid if the groom peaked before the wedding, he wouldn't agree to the marriage!

The tiered wedding cake started when wedding guests would bring cakes and stack them on top of each other. Eventually, icing was added and the traditional stacked wedding cake became popular.

The bouquet toss originated as a means for escape for the bride. Considered lucky on her wedding day, the bride would often be overcome with guests who wanted parts of her dress or flowers to take away as good luck. Consequently, the bride would throw her bouquet to distract her attackers and run away!

Today, thankfully, brides don't have to worry about having her groom's sword arm free or needing her face covered with a veil to make sure she actually gets married. But whatever tradition the bride decides to carry over into her wedding, they now are considered a fun and romantic way for the bride and groom to start a new life together.

Italian Wedding Traditions

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:10:50 +0000

On the day of the wedding, the bride is not supposed to wear any gold, until after her wedding ring is slipped out. Wearing gold during or before the wedding is thought to bring bad luck.

Old Church traditions forbade marriage during Lent and Advent. Marriage was also avoided in the months of May and August. May was to be reserved for the veneration of the Virgin Mary, and August was thought to invite bad luck and sickness.

Sunday marriages (with the exception of the months mentioned above) are believed to be luckiest. In the Veneto region of Italy, the groom walks to the bride’s house and, together, he walks with the bride and the whole wedding party to church. On the way, town residents would watch the group walk by and present the bride with many challenges. For example, they put a broom on the ground and if she bride noticed it and picked it up to put it away she was considered a good housekeeper. Then, she might come across a crying child, the couple is supposed to quiet him and make him smile; this would mean that they will be good parents. Coming across a beggar, means giving generously and is equaled to having a good heart.

The bride arrives to the wedding mass last. In the meantime, the groom waits in front of the church as his best men tease him about the bride, “Did you tell her that you’re getting married today?” and “I don’t think she’ll come”! Her lateness, depending on the number of minutes, would have a different meaning to the groom.

In Northern Italy, the groom brings the bouquet of flowers to the wedding. In fact the color and style of the bouquet is supposed to be a surprise to the bride. This signifies a present from the grooms.

The Reception The best man greets everyone coming to the reception with a tray of liquor. Sweet liquors are served to the women and strong drinks served to the men before any food. The purpose of this is to give everyone an opportunity to toast the bride and groom. A common toast would be “Per cent’anni” (for a hundred years).

All the men at the reception kiss the bride for good luck — and to make the groom jealous. The bride carried a satin bag (la borsa) in which guests placed envelopes containing money. The money helped toward the expenses of the wedding which was financed by the bride’s family. During the reception, this purse was usually guarded by the bride’s grandmother (nonna) or mother (the holder of the bag can vary).In some weddings the bride hangs on to the satin bag and all the men who dance with the bride put money in the sack. At some weddings, primarily in Northern Italy, the best man would cuts the groom’s tie into little pieces. The pieces are then put onto a tray and sold to the guests. The proceeds are given to the couple to help pay for the band. It’s a good idea for the groom to bring a cheap tie in anticipation of this custom. Italian weddings have always emphasized food. Strongly linked with family life, food is the focal point of the festivities. The elaborate wedding of the bride and groom brings together the friends and relatives of both families in a celebration of their new relationship.

In ancient Rome, a loaf of wheat bread was broken over the heads of the bride and grooms to ensure a fertile and fulfilling life. Guests would eat the crumbs for good luck.

A multi-course dinner follows often as many as 14 different courses (sometimes even more)!

About the Author

Rafi Michael Babylon Toronto Weddings Photography Dj Video Dj Limo Services