Some
fun wedding
traditions
from the
past are
still very
much a part
of today's
wedding
ceremony.
Some traditions
are well
known and
done often,
such as,
the bride
tossing
her bouquet.
The woman
who catches
the bouquet
is supposedly
the next
one to be
married.
Another
fun wedding
tradition
is the "kneeling
pillow"
at the altar.
The couple's
names and
their wedding
date are
sewn on
the pillow
for a nice
memento,
which can
be passed
on and added
to for future
generations.
An
interesting
custom at
the wedding
reception
is that
of the "marriage
cup." This
silver cup,
in either
the shape
of a bowl
on a stand
or in the
shape of
a girl with
a large
skirt, is
set at the
bride's
table. The
bride begins
drinking
from the
special
cup; the
groom follows
with the
second sip.
A
"unity candle"
can also
be included
to make
the wedding
ceremony
even more
special.
There are
three candles
in a row,
two small
ones, with
one symbolizing
the bride's
family,
and one
symbolizing
the groom's
family.
The third
candle,
in the middle
of the two
shorter
candles,
represents
the bonding
of both
families
after the
vows are
said.
At
the beginning
of the ceremony,
the shorter
candles
are lit.
The bride
and groom
light the
third, taller
candle after
they become
husband
and wife.
In lighting
the taller
candle,
the bride
takes her
family's
candle and
the groom
takes his
family's
candle and
together
they jointly
light the
"unity candle,"
while the
flames of
the two
shorter
candles
are then
extinguished.
This leaves
the one
candle lit
as a symbol
of the families
coming together
as one.