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Dinning overlooking the beach. Beautiful weddings on the beach in
the tropical Florida Keys. The most romantic weddings in the Keys.
Wedding Planner Guide
How to plan the most important day of your life.
TIME LINE GOALS
WEDDING DAY CHECK LIST
WEDDING PROCESSIONAL
WEDDING RESPONSIBILITY TRADITIONS
WEDDING ATTENDANTS
WEDDING CEREMONY
WEDDING HISTORICAL TRADITIONS
THE WEDDING PARTY
After studying weddings from
around the world there are many traditions but at Florida Keys and Key
West Weddings the only right way is the way the Bride and the Groom
wants, that is what is in our hearts.
TIME LINE GOALS
12-24 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
Agree with your spouse-to-be and your family on your Wedding date and
cellist your location. Decide on a Preliminary Wedding Budget.
6-12 MONTH BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
Prepare a guest list. Cellist the Rehearsal Restaurant.
Look for a Wedding gown and allow time for alterations and fittings.
Agree on a bridal registry. Call up and Select the bridesmaids. Agree
on a date to order bridesmaids' dresses. Choose a beautiful place for
your Honeymoon. Apply for passports, if needed.
6 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
Make airline & hotel reservations for the Honeymoon. Fine tune the
guest list. Send out your invitations..Shop for and order wedding favors.
60 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR WEDDING DAY
This is your deadline to finalize items in your proposal and this is
the date your first payment is due. Make final alterations and fittings
for the Wedding Gown.
30 DAYS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
This is your hard deadline to finalize remaining details in your dream
wedding proposal and also when your final payment is due. Fill out and
submit application for the marriage license. Buy your wedding bands.
Start calling your guest list and finalize. Finalize music list and
no-play list with band or DJ. Make reservations for bridesmaids' luncheon.
Attend showers.
2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
The final count is due and your final payment if any is to be mailed.
Check your rehearsal dinner reservations. Deadline to have an appointment
with a Beauty Salon for day of wedding. Discuss with the hairstylist
your hairstyle for your wedding day. Verify the bridal party clothing.
Send a wedding announcement to the local newspapers, if you wish. Make
necessary arrangements for name & address change, if any. The ceremony
details should be finalized with Paul or Contact your minister and discuss
final ceremony details
1 WEEK BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
Start packing for your Wedding and your Honeymoon..Visit your Beauty
Salon for manicure and pedicure. Make sure the ushers have the final
guest list. Make sure you have gathered the items on the Bride’s
Wedding Day Checklist. Make sure you have tickets and reservation materials
for the honeymoon.
1 DAY BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
Attend rehearsal and finalize wedding processional and then head off
to your rehearsal dinner for a great night.
YOUR WEDDING DAY
Make sure you eat something. Visit your Beauty
Salon for Hair styling & make-up. (Bring veil & headpiece).
Pin your veil if a windy day on the beach. Make sure the Wedding Gown
is pressed and steamed. Relax you are in Paul's and Magda's hands, the
experts in flawless dream weddings and savor the magic of your Special
day
To get a dream wedding
planning package and proposal, email here your address with Street,
City and Zip along with number of estimated guests and the wedding date
if known
WEDDING DAY CHECK LIST
Wedding gown and repair set with bobby and baby pins
Veil and headpiece
Additional headpiece for reception
Special bra, panties
Special slip
Extra hosiery
Shoes
Gloves
Jewelry
Make-up, perfume
Nail polish and file
Curling iron, curlers
Comb, brush
Hairspray, extra bobby pins
Mirror
Toothbrush, toothpaste, breath mints
Iron or steamer
Garter
Penny or sixpence
Ring pillow
Going-away outfit
Going-away undergarments
Going-away shoes and hosiery
Accessories, jewelry, etc.
Marriage License give to Paul or your efficient
WEDDING PROCESSIONAL
After all guests have been seated,
1. The Groom’s Mother is escorted to the front row on the right
side of the church or area setup for the ceremony. This is ordinarily
done by an usher, but can also be done by the groom’s father.
2. The Bride’s Mother then follows, escorted by an usher, who delivers
her to her place in the front row on the left side of the church or
area setup for the ceremony.
Note: The seating of the bride’s mother is the traditional indication
that the wedding is about to begin.
3. At this point the Minister enters, usually from a side of the beach
chapel, to take his place at the alter or focal point of the ceremony.
Note: The minister’s presence brings the preparatory part of the
ceremony – the musical prelude and gathering of the guests to a
conclusion.
4. Next, the Groom followed immediately by his Best Man, takes his place
at the front of the church or focal point on the right.
Note: The groom and best man turn and face the door or place from which
the bride will enter.
5. Now the music selected for the processional is started, and the Ushers
proceed down the aisle, taking their places along side the groom and
best man. Note: If there is not room to stand beside them, then they
should stand directly behind the best man in a row.
6. Once the ushers are situated, the Bride’s Maids begin their
procession, and take their place on the left at the front, leaving room
for the maid of honor and the bride herself. Note: If there is not room
to stand beside them, then they should stand directly behind the maid
of honor in a row.
7. Following the bride’s maids, the Maid of Honor will enter, taking
her place to the right of the bride’s maids and leaving room for
the bride at the center of the aisle.
8. The maid of honor is followed by the Ring-Bearer, who has the actual
rings for the ceremony, normally carried on a pillow.
9. Next, the Flower Girl or girls enter, who scatter the aisle with
flowers for the bride to walk on enter. They proceed down the aisle
and take their place on the left side of the bride’s maids.
10. Now everyone is prepared for the Bride’s entrance and selected
music is played such as the traditional wedding march or other song.
She is escorted down the aisle on her father’s left arm, who then,
traditionally kisses her farewell after the minister asks who gives
this women in marriage. Her father then takes his place beside the bride’s
mother and the ceremony begins!
RECESSION RECEIVING LINE
In the Christian Wedding the receiving line is formed after the bride
and groom and the wedding party have left the church or the front of
the area setup for the wedding ceremony. It is my experience that a
formal receiving line is utilized only 35% of the time. Only the most
formal outdoor weddings will have a receiving line. This is also the
case at historic properties such as at an inn or bed & breakfast.
Most often, the bride and groom choose to personally greet the guests
by stopping by each table during the banquet or by casually mingling
during the reception.
When a receiving line is used the following is the traditional placement:
Bride’s Mother
Groom’s Mother
Bride’s Father
Bride
Groom
Maid of Honor
Bridesmaids
Note: The following wedding party members are not usually a part of
the receiving line: Best Man, Groom’s Father, Groomsmen, Flower
Girl, Ring Bearer & Clergyman (Minister).
TRADITIONS
WHO PAYS FOR WHAT?
Cultural backgrounds and individual convictions heavily influence the
decision-making in Wedding traditions. Nevertheless, the following is
a general guide that should be construed as such... and adopted as you
deem fit:
THE BRIDE TYPICALLY PAYS FOR:
The Wedding ring for the Groom
Gifts for the Attendants
Accommodation for out-of-town Attendants
The Wedding gift for the Groom
THE GROOM TYPICALLY PAYS FOR:
The Bride's rings including the Engagement ring
The honeymoon
Wedding gift for the bride
The marriage license
The Groom's men gifts
Accommodation for out-of-town groom's men
Flowers for the Bride
The going-away corsage,
corsages for mothers, special ladies;
The boutonnieres for men in wedding party
The gloves, ties and accessories for the men in the wedding party
Fee for clergyperson or judge
THE GROOM'S FAMILY TYPICALLY PAYS FOR:
Clothing for the Wedding
Travel and lodging expenses
Rehearsal dinner
The Wedding gift for the newlyweds
THE BRIDE'S FAMILY TYPICALLY PAYS FOR:
The costs of the reception.
The Bride's Wedding attire/trousseau
Invitations, announcements, thank you notes
The seating assignment chart, napkins and mailing costs
Photographer
Videographer
Ceremony costs
Bridesmaids, flower girl, ring bearer flowers and accessories
Transportation for bridal party on Wedding day from ceremony to reception
All gratuities for all services: parking, security
Bridesmaid luncheon
THE ATTENDANTS TYPICALLY PAY FOR:
Their Wedding clothes
Travel expenses
Wedding gift for newlyweds
Wedding Attendants
To get a dream wedding
planning package and proposal, email here your address with Street,
City and Zip along with number of estimated guests and the wedding date
if known
ATTENDANT’S TRADITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
MAID/MATRON OF HONOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
The maid or matron of honor is usually a sister or very close friend.
Choose some dependable. If you choose, you may have both a maid (single)
and a matron (married) of honor takes precedence at the ceremony, signs
as you legal witness and carries the groom's ring.
Before the Wedding: The maid of Honor may plan your wedding and take
care of details for you. If she lives nearby she might help address
invitations, plan pre-wedding parties, make favors or table decorations,
and keep track of gifts received and thank you cards sent. The maid
of honor usually hosts a bridal shower. The bride can delegate care
of bridesmaid's fittings and details. She attends pre-wedding parties.
She attends the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.
At the Wedding: The maid of honor helps the bride with dressing and
assists with the, train, veil and holding the brides bouquet during
the ceremony. The maid of honor wears the grooms ring on her thumb (or
carries it in some other safe manner) until it is time for the blessing
and exchange of rings in the ceremony. She is responsible for having
an emergency kit with miscellaneous items such as a needle and thread,
extra nylons, a roll of tape etc. The maid of honor holds on to a duplicate
list of desired shots for the photographer and videographer as well
as a song list for ceremony musicians and a copy of any special prayers
or readings to be used during the ceremony. She walks in front of the
bride in the processional and with the best man in the recessional and
stands near the bride at the altar. She makes sure that all of the bride's
clothing, make-up and personal belongings are removed from the changing
room at the ceremony site and taken back to the bride's home. She helps
to line up bridesmaids for formal photographs.
At the Reception: The maid of Honor stands next to the groom in very
formal receiving lines. The maid of honor is seated at the head table
or table of honor. During the reception, she mingles with guest. She
dances with the best man at the reception. She helps the bride with
her train, fastening it to floor length so it is out of the way for
dancing, if necessary. A duplicate copy of the list of names and pronunciations
for the bridal party announcements is kept by the maid of honor. She
also keeps a duplicate song list for the reception musicians or disc
jockey. If the bride needs assistance in tossing her bouquet or in gathering
single women to catch it, the maid of honor can help out. If requested,
she helps the bride dress for the honey moon and makes sure the bridal
gown and other personal clothing items are returned to the bride's home
after the reception. She takes the bridal bouquet for preserving and
may take the gown for heir looming while the bride is on her honeymoon.
Expenses: The maid or matron of honor pays for her own dress and other
attire. If travel expenses are involved, she pays for her own dress
and other attire. Although she may attend several pre-wedding parties,
only one shower gift and one wedding gift are to be expected. She may
share the cost of bridal shower.
BRIDESMAID RESPONSIBILITIES:
Bridesmaids are usually close friends or family members. When inviting
them, make them aware that there are costs involved as well as a time
commitment. It is an honor to be asked, but may also be a financial
burden. Make friends feel special when you invite them to be part of
your wedding.
The number of bridesmaids usually depends on the formality of your wedding,
with a dozen being the maximum for any wedding. Girls between 8 and
16 are considered to be junior bridesmaids. Junior bridesmaids are not
expected to help with details as much as bridesmaids.
Before the Wedding: Bridesmaids help take care of details for the bride
such as running errands, and making table decorations or favors. Bridesmaids
usually join the maid of honor in hosting a bridal shower. Bridesmaids
attend pre-wedding parties. Bridesmaids attend the rehearsal and the
rehearsal dinner.
At the Wedding: Bridesmaids walk in the processional and recessional,
either single file, two together or with an usher. They stand near the
bride during the ceremony. They are in formal photographs of the bridal
party.
At the Reception: Bridesmaids pay for their own dresses and other attire.
If travel expenses are involved, they pay their own cost involved in
getting to the wedding and staying in town during the celebration. Although
bridesmaids may attend several pre-wedding parties, only one shower
gift and one wedding gift are to be expected. Bridesmaids share the
cost of the bridal shower with the maid of honor.
FLOWER GIRL RESPONSIBILITIES:
You may choose one or two little girls to be flower girls. The best
age range is between four and eight. (Although younger ones are cute,
they can create some real challenges during a processional or ceremony.)
If you choose two girls, it looks nice if they are about the same size,
but that may not be possible. It can be a special honor for a child
to be chosen as part of you wedding. Before the Wedding: Flower girls
attend the shower and some pre-wedding parties. They attend the rehearsal
and may attend the rehearsal dinner with their families. At the Wedding:
Flower girls walk directly in front of the bride in the processional
and in front of the maid of honor in the recessional. As flower girls
walk down the aisle, they may scatter flower or rose petals. If petals
are not permitted, sometimes flower girls will hand out single flowers
to guest as they walk, or they may just carry a bouquet, a ring of flowers
or a pomander ball. During the ceremony, flower girls may stand near
the bridesmaids or may sit with their families. Younger ones probably
will do better sitting with their families. They are in the formal photographs
of the bridal parties. At the Reception: Flower girls do not usually
stand in the reception line. Flower girls usually sit at a table of
honor with their families rather than at the head table. Flower girls
may dance with family members, friends or other members of the wedding
party if they choose to do so. Expenses: Families of flower girls are
expected to pay for dresses and other attire. If travel expenses are
involved, the girls' family pick up these costs. Flower girls are not
expected to bring a gift to pre-wedding parties they may attend. If
their parents attend, gift expectations would be the same as any other
guest. If they attend more than one shower or party, only one shower
gift is expected. Flower girls are not responsible for helping financially
with bridal shower.
GROOMSMEN & USHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Before the Wedding: Groomsmen usually help the best man plan the bachelor
party for the groom. Groomsmen attend pre-wedding parties. Groomsmen
attend the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.
At the Wedding: The main Job of the usher is to seat guests. They should
arrive at the ceremony site at least one hour in advance and should
have clear instructions on the seating plan. In Christian ceremonies,
the bride's family and guests sit on the left and the groom's on the
right. In Jewish services, the seating is opposite, with the bride's
family on the right. Female guests are escorted by having the usher
offer his right arm to her. Her date or spouse walks behind. Male guests
are lead to their seats. If there are pew cards being used or a special
reserved section, ushers should pay special attention as they escort
these guests to their seats. Ushers distribute any programs or ceremony
handouts at the ceremony. Ushers direct those bringing gifts to the
ceremony to a gift table. If there is a guest book at the ceremony,
ushers direct guest to sign it.
After all guests are seated, the ushers escort the groom's parents to
the front row on the groom's side (Unless they are part of the processional.)
Lastly, they escort the bride's mother to her seat, unless she is accompanying
her husband in the processional. Once everyone is seated, the groomsmen
unroll the aisle runner in readiness for the processional. The Groomsmen
may be part of the processional or they may take positions in the front
with the best man or groom. They stand near the groom during the ceremony.
They are in formal Photographs of the bridal party. They Escort the
bridesmaids from the ceremony in the recessional. One of the ushers
should be responsible to roll the aisle runner back up after the ceremony
and have it cleaned and returned. One of the ushers should collect any
leftover handouts or programs and see that they get returned to the
couple who may want to send them to family or friends who were unable
to attend.
At the Reception: Ushers may be part of the receiving lines in the very
formal or formal weddings. Ushers may be seated at the head table or
a table of honor at the reception. During the reception, groomsmen mingle
with the guest. Groomsmen dance with the bridesmaids at the reception.
They assist by encouraging single young men to participate in catching
the garter.
Expenses: Groomsmen or ushers pay for their own formalwear and accessories.
If travel expenses are involved, they pay their own costs involved in
getting to the wedding and staying in town during the celebration. Although
groomsmen may attend several pre-wedding parties, only one shower gift
and one wedding gift are to be expected. Groomsmen may share the cost
of the bachelor party with the best man.
RING BEARER AND TRAINBEARER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Neither of these is required positions and may be boys or girls. Usually
only one ring bearer is used, but two with one ring per pillow will
work if you have and abundance of four or five year children that you
would like to have involved in the ceremony. Although the rings on the
pillows are usually not the actual wedding rings, you could have two
ring bearers if you are having a double ring ceremony, one for the bride
and one for the groom. Trainbearer or pages usually walk in pairs but
a single trainbearer can be used.Before the Wedding: If ring bearers
and trainbearer are little boys they are not likely to be interested
in any pre--wedding parties. If they are girls, they might want to attend
the shower and some other parties. They attend the rehearsal and may
attend the rehearsal dinner with their families. At the Wedding: During
the Ceremony: The ring bearers (s) carries a pillow with a ring or rings
sewn to it. (These are usually not the real wedding rings but symbolic
ones for show only.)
The ring bearer (s) walks either directly in front of or beside of the
flower girl (s) in the processional and the recessional.
If real rings are tied to the pillow the ring bearer takes the pillow
directly to the maid or honor and the best man who will remove the rings.
The trainbearers follow the bride in the processional and recessional,
and carry the bridal train.
The ring and train bearers may stand near the ushers or sit with their
families. They are in the formal Photographs of the bridal party. At
the Reception: Ring and train Bearers do not usually stand in the reception
line. Ring and trainbearers usually sit at a table of honor with their
families. Expenses: Families of ring and train bearers are expected
to pay for attire. If travel expenses are involved, the children's families
pick up these costs. Ring and train bearers are not expected to bring
gifts to any pre-wedding parties they may attend. If their parents attend
gifts expectations would be the same as any other guest. If they attend
more than one party, only one shower gift is expected.
The number of ushers is usually determined by the size of the wedding.
One usher can comfortably seat about fifty guests. Ushers are usually
brothers, relatives or best friends of the groom. In inviting people
to serve as ushers, make sure that they are aware of the expenses involved.
While it is not necessary to have an equal number if ushers and bridesmaids,
it does balance nicely if they walk in pairs in either the processional
or recessional.
SUMMARY OF TRADITIONS IN RESPONSIBILITIES OF
THE WEDDING PARTY:
Maid of Honor/Personal Attendant:
Helps bride with shopping, invitations and other details as requested.
Attends all pre-wedding events
Pays for own wedding attire
Takes charge of groom's ring during ceremony
Witnesses, signs wedding certificate
Helps bride in arranging veil and dress at ceremony and reception
Returns bride's gown to designated place after wedding.
Bridesmaids:
Purchases and completes fittings of gowns
Performs tasks as assigned by bride
Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Best Man:
(Assists groom with all details of the wedding day.)
Pays for own attire
Transports groom to the church.
Supervises the grooms men, regarding their dress and duties at ceremony
Takes care of bride's ring until ceremony.
Presents the clergyperson with fee.
Signs and witnesses the marriage certificate
Offers the first toast to the bride and groom.
Dances with the bride after the groom and both fathers have danced with
her Prepares the honeymoon car, packs suitcases in car.
Holds for safe-keeping, any tickets, keys, etc. for the groom.
Returns groom's tuxedo to rental shop.
Groomsmen:
Pays for their own wedding attire
Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Attends bachelor dinner if there is one
Escorts bridesmaids during the ceremony
Ushers:
Pay for own wedding attire
Make sure principles have flowers before being seated. (Unless this
task is
assigned to another)
Distribute wedding programs. (Unless this task is assigned to another)
Seat guests on appropriate side of church.
Assist elderly guests to seats.
After all guests are seated, unroll aisle carpet.
Check church or synagogue for any items left behind.
TRADITIONS FOR MOTHER’S ATTIRE:
Tradition holds that the mother of the bride chooses a dress first,
followed by the mother of the groom. Their dresses should complement
each other, as well as the bridal party. For instance, having one mother
in a floor length dress and another in a miniskirt is a major no-no.
Likewise, your mother wearing an orange dress next to your bridesmaid’s
light green ensembles are bound to make your wedding pictures look tacky.
While your moms shouldn’t be wearing the same style and color,
their dresses should coordinate. Generally, at formal weddings, your
mother and mother-in-law should be in floor or tea-length dresses. Semiformal
or informal weddings allow them to get more creative with the length,
but they still need to make sure they are complementing one another.
Unless your bridesmaids will be wearing black, a mother of the bride
or groom should avoid this color. Until recently, black at weddings
was considered a social blunder and many guests will still look at the
color choice with suspicion. Steer them away from choosing a color that
will raise eyebrows as to whether or not they approve of the marriage.
Don’t forget to finish the look with a matching corsage or a small
bouquet.
Wedding Ceremony
CEREMONY OPTIONS: CLICK
HERE: Ceremonies, Vows, Prayers, Scriptures, Poems to make your dreams
come true
Rose Ceremony
In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride & Groom give each other a Rose.
Two roses are all that is necessary. The Rose Ceremony is placed at
the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband and wife.
If a Unity Candle Ceremony is included it is placed directly following
the Unity Candle Ceremony.
A single red rose is said to mean, "I Love You". It is appropriate
that the first gift as husband and wife should be a single red rose.
A rose has always been considered as a symbol of love and a single rose
has always meant only one thing – it means "I Love You."
Often, couples will stop on their exit and hand the mother of the bride
and groom each their Rose, whispering "I Love You" before
proceeding with their exit. Additional roses may also be given to grandparents,
sisters and other special guests.
Unity Sand Ceremony
A Unity Sand Ceremony can easily be added to any marriage ceremony.
It is placed near the end of the ceremony, following the Exchange of
Rings. Mothers sometimes bring forward the sand glasses as they are
escorted forward at the beginning of the ceremony. A Unity Sand Ceremony
set consists of two or four glasses and a large center large mouth vase,
candy jar, or fish bowl. The brides and grooms glasses represent your
individual lives before today. They represent all that you are from
your vast experiences, and they represent your individual families.
Each of you pour into the center container. This represents the closing
of the chapters in your individual "Book of Life" and the
beginning of new chapters as you begin to write a new book as husband
and wife! In another version, the children of the bride or grooms from
previous marriages pour symbolizing the joining of the new family. The
grains or sand in the new glass container representing that even though
you have created a new family, each of you still maintains those characteristics
that makes you individually unique. If you are creating a new family
you may want to include the children, this is an excellent way to involve
children from a previous marriage. Mother as head of the house holds
also are often pour symbolizing the joining of the two familiars into
one.
Breaking A Glass Ceremony
The traditional Jewish wedding ceremony includes a "breaking of
the glass." Here the Groom, having been offered a glass on a wooden
pallet or wrapped in a cloth napkin, smashes it with his foot. The breaking
of the glass symbolizes the fragility of life, the fact that whatever
we see before us as whole can be broken at any moment. It calls our
attention for the need to care for one another; for just as glass can
be shattered with a single blow, so the grace of the marriage bond can
be shattered with a single act of infidelity or repeated acts of emotional
irresponsibility.
Include Creatures Great & Small
Include the Children
If you have children you may want to include them at some point in the
ceremony. Often you may just want their names mentioned by the pastor
or you may want to include them in a more active role, but be aware
that children will not always share your enthusiasm for the wedding.
Most of the time children can participate by being a flower girl or
a ring bearer of simply by being included in the sand ceremony. Some
people give each child a small gift and say a few words to them following
the exchanging of rings. Normally the bride and groom present children
with a medallion, necklace or other gift following the exchange of rings.
In giving a small gift, the bride and groom are symbolizing the fact
that love and family are more than the relationship between two people.
INCLUDE A CONGREGATION/FAMILY VOW OF SUPPORT
After reciting your vows you might want me to address your guests and
invite them to make a vow of support to you. It is within the context
of this community that your marriage will be enacted. For example, I
might say, "Now that you have heard ______ and _____ recite their
vows, do you, their family and friends, promise, from this day forward
to encourage them and love them, and to help guide and support them
in being steadfast in the promises they have made?" "We do."
Jumping a Broom.
African-Americans often include the "jumping of the broom"
as a part of their wedding ceremony. This normally takes place at the
end of the ceremony as the couple is departing. Often the broom is decorated
elaborately by the friends and families of the couple.
Wine Ceremony
The years of life are as a cup of wine poured out for you to drink.
This "Cup of Life" contains within it a wine with certain
properties that are sweet and symbolic of happiness, joy, hope, peace,
love and delight. This same wine also holds some bitter properties that
are symbolic of disappointment, sorrow, grief, despair, and life’s
trials and tribulations. Together the sweet and the bitter represent
"Life’s Journey" and all of the experiences that are
a natural part of it. Those who drink deeply from the "Cup of Life"
with an open heart and willing spirit, invite the full range of challenges
and experiences into their being. (Pastor pours wine into goblet and
holds it up.) This "Cup of Life" is symbolic of the pledges
you have made to one another to share together the fullness of life.
As you drink from this cup, you acknowledge to one another that your
lives, until this moment separate, have become one with the Holy Spirit.
(Pastor hands glass to groom, who drinks, then hands it to bride, who
drinks, who passes it back to pastor.) As you have shared the wine from
these goblets, so may you share your lives. May you find life’s
joys heightened, it’s bitterness sweetened, and all of life enriched
by God’s blessings upon you.
To get a dream wedding planning package
and proposal, email here your address with Street, City and Zip along
with number of estimated guests and the wedding date if known
WEDDING TRADITIONS
BEST MAN TRADITION
Among the Germanic Goths of northern Europe in 200 A.D., a man usually
married a woman from within his own community. However, when there were
fewer women, the prospective bridegroom would capture his bride from
a neighboring village. The bridegroom was accompanied by his strongest
friend (or best friend), who helped him capture his bride.
BRIDAL PARTY
This term has many origins from different cultures. In Anglo-Saxon times,
the groom had the help of "bridesmen" or "brideknights"
to help him capture and/or escort his bride. Later they would make sure
that the bride got to the church and to the groom's home afterwards.
The women who accompanied and assisted the bride were called "bridesmaids"
or "brideswomen".
BRIDAL SHOWERS
Bridal showers were meant to strengthen the ties between the bride and
her friends, provide her moral support, and help her prepare for her
marriage. Gift giving at showers dates from the 1890's.
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
The tradition of bridesmaids dressing the same as each other and in
similar style to the bride comes from ancient days when it was believed
that evil spirits have a more difficult time distinguishing which one
is the bride and putting a hex on her.
Cake
In the 1st century B.C. in Rome, the cake was thrown at the bride or
broken over her head as one of the many fertility symbols which then
were a part of the marriage ceremony. Cutting the wedding cake together,
still a predominant ritual at weddings, symbolizes the couple's unity,
their shared future, and their life together as one. The three tiered
cake is believed to have been inspired by the spire of Saint Bride's
Church in London, England.
CARRYING THE BRIDE OVER THE THRESHOLD
Traditionally, the bride had to enter her new home the first time through
the front door. If she tripped or stumbled while entering it was considered
to be very bad luck. Hence the tradition of the groom carrying the bride
over the threshold.
DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING
The diamond engagement ring originated with King Maximillian who presented
Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring in 1477 as a token of his love.
The Venetians Popularized the custom during the 15th. Century. Since
the diamond was the hardest and most enduring substance in nature it
followed that the engagement and marriage would endure forever.
ENGAGEMENT RING
In 860 AD, Pope Nicholas I decreed that an engagement ring become a
required statement of nuptial intent. He insisted that engagement rings
had to be made of gold which signified a financial sacrifice on the
part of the prospective husband.
GARTER AND BRIDAL BOUQUET TOSS
In parts of Europe during the 14th century, having a piece of the bride's
clothing was thought to bring good luck. Guests would literally destroy
the brides dress by ripping off pieces of fabric. In order to prevent
this, brides began throwing various items to the guests - the garter
belt being one of the items. In order to avoid this problem, it became
customary in the 14th century for the bride to toss her garter to the
men. Sometimes the men would get drunk, become impatient, and try to
remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom evolved for the
groom to remove and toss the garter. With that change the bride started
to toss the bridal bouquet to the unwed girls of marriageable age. Tradition
says that whoever catches the bouquet shall be the next to marry. She
keeps the bouquet to ensure this destiny.
GOOD LUCK
Seeing a lamb, frog, spider, black cat, or rainbows on the way to the
ceremony is believed to be a sign of good luck!
GROOM'S CAKE
The tradition of a "Groom's Cake" comes from England and Ireland.
There, the traditional groom's cake is a fruit cake with white icing.
The groom's cake is usually served along with the traditional wedding
cake. Today groom's cakes are very often chocolate instead of the traditional
fruit cake.
KISS THE BRIDE
The kiss dates back to the earliest days of civilization in the Middle
East. A kiss was used as the formal seal to agreements, contracts, etc.
In Ancient Rome a kiss was still being used as the legal bold to seal
contracts. Hence the obvious use of the custom at the end of the wedding
ceremony to "seal" the marriage vows. It also originates from
the earliest times when the couple would actually make love for the
first time under the eyes of half the village!
LARGEST WEDDING
It was the largest mass wedding in history, when nearly 21,000 couples
from the Moonie cult all got married on the same day. The event was
also 'attended' by another 9,800 couples who took their vows via a satellite
link.
LONGEST MARRIAGE
Sir Temulji Nariman and his wife Lady Nariman were hitched for a grand
total of 86 years, although they did have a distinct advantage over
most people. Both were aged just five when they got married.
MONTH TO MARRY
According to an old legend, the month in which you marry may have some
bearing on the fate of the marriage:
" 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 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 will go;
Those who in July do wed, must labor for their daily bred;
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 snows fall fast, marry and true love will last".
MOST MARRIAGES
Of course, it's a sad fact that not all marriages last. But some people
really do seem to make a habit of getting divorced. The person who is
credited with being married the most times is former Baptist minister
Glynn Scotty Wolfe, who has taken on 28 brides - and divorced 27 of
them.
MOST EXPENSIVE DRESS
Wedding dresses can make a major dent in your budget, but however much
you spend it will be nothing compared to the outfit created by French
designer Helene Gainville. Estimated to be worth a cool £3.5 million,
the dress is embroidered with diamonds mounted on platinum. Not the
sort of thing you would want to put in the attic after the wedding day.
OLDEST BRIDES
The oldest recorded bride was Minnie Munro, who got hitched at a sprightly
102 years of age. Minnie, from Australia, wed a toy boy of 82. Britain's
oldest recorded bride was just one day off her 100th birthday when she
took her vows with a man nearly 20 years her junior. Apparently the
age gap was not thought to be a problem for them.
RICE THROWING
Rice has been used as a symbol of fertility and as a wish for a "full
pantry" in various parts of the world from ancient to modern times.
In the past, rice was not the only thing thrown at the bride and groom
as the left the wedding. Wheat, instead of rice, was thrown in France,
figs and dates were thrown in Northern Africa, and a combination of
coins, dried fruit, and candy was thrown in Italy. In some European
countries eggs are thrown! Rice is not harmful to the birds that eat
it, but an article in California professing this to be the case, has
caused birdseed to replace rice at most weddings. Flower petals, confetti,
baubles, and balloons are often used today instead of rice.
RING
Rings were used as currency in the Middle East prior to the advent of
coinage and were a sign of a persons wealth. In ancient times the wedding
ring was thought to protected the bride from "evil spirits".
Ancient Roman wedding rings were made of iron.
In early Rome a gold band came to symbolize everlasting love and commitment
in marriage. Roman wedding rings were carved with two clasped hands.
Very early rings had a carved key through which a woman was thought
to be able to open her husband's heart.
RING FINGER
In 3rd. century Greece the ring finger was the index finger. In India
it was the thumb. The western tradition began with the Greeks who believed
that the third finger was connected directly to the heart by a route
that was called "the vein of love."
SECOND WEDDINGS
In almost half of US weddings either the bride or groom has been married
previously.
SHOES TO THE CAR
This tradition originated in England during the Tudor period. At that
time, guests would throw shoes at the bride and groom as they left in
their carriage. It was considered good luck if their carriage was hit.
Today, more often than not, it is beverage cans that are tied to a couples
car instead of shoes. It should also be noted that the English consider
it good luck if it rains on their wedding day!
STAG PARTIES
In Sparta, during the height of Greek civilization, soldiers were the
first to hold stag parties. The groom would have a party for his friends
the night before he was to marry. He would bid farewell to his bachelorhood
and pledge his continued allegiance to his comrades.
SATURDAY WEDDINGS
In early times, for Christians, Sunday was the original day of choice
for weddings because it was not a work day. The Puritan revolution in
England during the 17th century changed all that - because the Puritans
thought it improper to be festive on the Sabbath, Saturday.
SOMETHING "OLD", "NEW", "BORROWED", AND
"BLUE"
The tradition of carrying one or more items that are "old",
"new", "borrowed" and "blue" also comes
from English. There is an old English rhyme describing the practice
which also mentions a sixpence in the brides shoe. Something old, signifying
continuity, could be a piece of lace, jewelry, or a grandmother's handkerchief.
Something new, signifying optimism in the future, could be an article
of clothing or the wedding rings. Something borrowed, signifying future
happiness, could be handkerchief from a happily married relative or
friend. Something blue, signifying modesty, fidelity and love, comes
from early Jewish history. In early Biblical times, blue not white symbolized
purity. Both the bride and groom usually wore a band of blue material
around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence the tradition of "something
blue". Originally the sixpence was presented to the bride by her
future husband as a token of his love. Today, very often, it is the
bride's father who places a coin in the brides shoe prior to leaving
home for the church.
"TO TIE THE KNOT"
The term "tie the knot" also goes back Roman times. The bride
would wear a girdle that was tied in many knots which the groom had
the "duty" of untying.
is the most popular day for wedding now.
TOAST
The term originates from the sixteenth century. At that time a small
piece of bread would be placed in a goblet of wine. The goblet would
be passed from guest to guest until it reached the person being honored
who would drain the goblet and eat the morsel of bread in the bottom.
This tradition is practiced at weddings today - usually in the form
of one or more champagne "toasts". The best man has the honor
of giving the first toast. Usually the bride and groom remain seated
for the toasts while all the guests are usually standing to honor them.
The couple may then make a few remarks thanking their families, wedding
party members, and guests. They may also "toast" each other
or share a "toast" together. Often special glass or silver
goblets are used by the bride and groom.
TIN CANS
The tradition of tying tin cans to the back of the newlywed's vehicle
originated long ago when items which would produce noise were tied to
the back of the couple's carriage to scare away evil spirits.
VEIL
Brightly colored veils were worn in ancient times in many parts of the
world and were considered a protection against evil spirits Greek and
Roman brides for yellow or red veils (representing fire) to ward off
evil spirits and demons. At one time, Roman brides were completely covered
with a red veil for protection. In early European history, with the
advent of arranged marriages veils served another purpose - to prevent
the groom from seeing the brides' face till after the ceremony was over.
Brides began to wear opaque yellow veils. Not only could the groom not
see in, the bride could not see out! Therefore, the father of the bride
had to escort her down the aisle and literally give the bride to the
today, prior to a Jewish wedding ceremony, it is the groom who ritually
"veils the bride". This tradition goes back to the marriage
of Jacob to Leah (the older sister) when he thought he was marrying
Rachel (the younger sister) whom he loved.
WEARING A WEDDING RING
The reason that the engagement ring and wedding band is worn on the
fourth finger of the left hand is because the ancient Egyptians thought
that the "vein of love' ran from this finger directly to the heart.
WEDDING AS A TERM
Although some brides were kidnapped, marriage by purchase was the preferred
method of obtaining a wife. The "bride price" could be land,
social status, political alliances, or cash. The Anglo-Saxon word "wed"
meant that the groom would vow to marry the woman, but it also referred
to the bride price (money or barter) to be paid by the groom to the
bride's father. The root of the word "wedding" literally means
to gamble or wager!
WHITE WEDDING DRESS AS TRADITION
The tradition for the bride to wear a white wedding dress began in the
16th century and is still commonly followed today. This is a symbol
of the bride's purity and her worthiness of her groom. The tradition
became solidified during the time of Queen Victoria who rebelled against
the royal tradition for Royal brides to wear silver. Instead, the queen
preferred the symbolism, which is expressed by wearing white. The brides
of the time quickly emulated the queen, and the tradition has continued
in full force to this day.
WHY THE BRIDE STANDS TO THE GROOMS LEFT
After the bridegroom captured his bride, he placed her on his left to
protect her, thus freeing his right hand or sword hand against sudden
attack.
WHY IT BECAME "BAD LUCK" FOR THE GROOM TO SEE BRIDE BEFORE
THE CEREMONY
Until relatively recently, brides were considered the property of their
father. Their futures and husbands were arranged without their consent.
The marriage of an unattractive woman was often arranged with a prospective
groom from another town without either of them having ever seen their
prospective spouse. In more than one instance, when the groom saw his
future wife, usually dressed in white, for the first time on the day
of the wedding, he changed his mind and left the bride at the altar.
To prevent this from happening, it became "bad luck" for the
groom to see the bride on the day of the wedding prior to the ceremony.
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Florida Keys Wedding Photos and Information
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