Page 39 - Mega Bridal Issue

Wedding Traditions Here In Croatia
In the country of Croatia custom dictates that following the ceremony all of
the wedding guests circle the well at the church three times to signify the
and Throughout the World Holy Trinity and then each guest throws an apple into the well to insure
the fertility of the new couple.
In Romania
Marriage is so important in Romania that young girls start planning their
wedding day as young as aged six, when they begin collecting the trea-
sures to fill their wedding trousseau.
In Greece
Greek brides wore traditional wedding veils of yellow or red, which rep-
resented fire. These brightly colored veils were supposed to protect the
bride from evil spirits and demons.
In ancient Greece, diamonds were considered teardrops of the Gods, and
it was believed that a diamond reflected the flames of love.
A Greek bride may carry a lump of sugar on her wedding day to ensure
she has a sweet life,or she might carry ivy, as a symbol of endless love.
In Italy
It is customary for the Italian couple getting married to walk to the wedding
chapel together. The townsfolk place obstacles in the bride's path to see
how she will react to domestic situations. If she picked up a broom, for
example, she will keep a clean house. If they put a child in her way and
she stopped to help him, she will be a good mother.
It is considered bad luck for a bride to wear any gold, on the day she is
married, until wedding rings are exchanged.

In India
The Mangalsutra, a sacred thread of love worn by married women as
There are hundreds of wedding superstitions and traditions that have been fol- a symbol of their successful marriage is presented to the bride by her
groom. It is tied by the Groom onto bride’s neck with three knots at the
lowed for years, here are just a few: time of the marriage as a promise to live with his wife forever. The signifi-
cance of Mangalsutra is further enhanced as it is believed that it protects
1. If your dress is rippped on the day before your wedding, it means that your marriage will the couple from evil powers and for this the wife wears it until the death of
end in death! her husband.

2.Tying tin cans to the back of the newlywed's car is good luck because the noise will In Ireland
frighten away evil spirits. The traditional Irish bride often wears a blue wedding dress, rather than
a white dress. This is because blue symbolized purity in ancient times. It
3.When you and your husband toast your new life together you must smash the glasses wasn’t until the year 1499 that a white wedding dress began to symbolize San Diego Woman
that you toast with. This way the glasses are never used for a better purpose virginity and purity.

4.White dresses have nothing to do with virginity. In ancient times, cloth was very expen- In Germany
sive to bleach and more than 1 bleaching was required. The whiter the cloth, the more According to German tradition, when a baby girl is born in Germany, sev-
affluent the bride's family. eral trees are planted in honor of her birth. When her wedding date is set, 39
the trees are sold, and the money is used for her dowry.
5.Dressing the bridesmaids in beautiful dresses is to fool the evil spirits--so they won't
know who is the bride and who is not. In Spain
According to Spanish custom, a Spanish bride wore, and still might wear,
6. Traditionally wedding ceremonies in North America end with the couple exchanging a black silk wedding dress with an intricately designed black lace veil. Her
wedding rings – the circular ring, with no beginning and no end symbolizing ever-lasting groom usually wears an embroidered shirt, hand made by his future wife.
love – and the traditional wedding kiss, to seal their union in front of friends and family.
In England
7. As the newlyweds leave the ceremony tradition calls for rice to be tossed at the couple The wedding tradition of tying shoes to the cars of newlyweds also began
as a symbol of fertility. in England during the Tudor period. Originally, wedding reception guests
Wedding Traditions Throughout the World threw shoes at the newlyweds as they were leaving the church for good
luck. The modern tradition is to tie shoes to the honeymoon vehicle.
Below are some wedding traditions from around the world: In Portugal
In Mexico The happy couple exit the church, their friends and family throw flow-
It is customary during the vows for a white ribbon or for a rosary, called ers and candies in the same way that other cultures toss rice or wheat.
a “lasso,” to be draped around the necks of the newlyweds to symbolize Following the ceremony the couple parades through the streets, where
their joining together. It is also customary for the groom to present his wife friends, family and even complete strangers wish them happiness in their
with thirteen gold coins during the ceremony, symbolizing the groom’s new life together. The couple then have a quiet time together, where they
commitment to support his new wife. As the couple leaves the church it is traditionally drink tea and eat small cakes.
customary for red beads to be tossed at them as a means of insuring the
new couple good luck. And my favorite superstition and the favorite of most soon to
be mothers of the bride......
In Bulgaria
Just before her wedding a Bulgarian bride will toss a dish filled with wheat, For good luck and a lifetime of pleasant relations with the
coins and a raw egg over her head. If the dish breaks it signifies good luck
to come. It is also a sign of future happiness if the bride and groom each bride's parents, it is tradition for the groom to honor his
step into the church with the right foot first. At the reception the bride’s future mother-in-law with a diamond when he presents the
mother throws flowers in the path of the newlyweds to insure their future engagement ring to his future bride.
health, happiness and purity, and the groom’s mother feeds the couple
sweet honeyed cakes to insure their long and sweet marriage.