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a june wedding - the who, what, when and why

Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!








“Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, and half shut afterwards.”
        – Benjamin Franklin (1706-90)


WHEn?

June is the most popular month for weddings (followed by August, July, May, and September.). Sunny skies and brisk spring breezes are obviously appealing, but it turns out that our attraction to early summer unions may have something to do with our ancestors.

The tradition of "June Brides" dates back to Roman times and the June 1st festival celebrating the marriage of deity Juno and his wife Jupiter (the Goddess of Marriage and Childbirth, no less).

The goddess Juno (for whom June is named) was the protector of women in all aspects of life, but especially in marriage and childbearing, so a wedding in Juno’s month was considered most auspicious.

In the 14th Century, June was the top pick because it's when people began to bathe again following winter, and brides wanted a pleasant-smelling crowd. It was also convenient because flowers were newly available and very necessary to mask the smell of those who hadn't yet cleaned up. This is the origin of the floral bouquet after all!


In the Celtic calendar, the term 'honeymoon' referred to the first moon of after the summer solstice (June 21). The term became synonymous with 'time following the wedding', even when it happened outside of June weddings.

In today's day and age, we have a few reminders of spring's popularity. We love the 1948 film June Bride (starring Bette Davis and Montgomery Clift), the song "June Bride" from the 1954 musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers as classic examples of the nostalgia around June weddings and who could ever forget the 1950 film Father of the Bride (starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor.) Yes, there was a remake with a fabulous house - but don't ever forget the original!


Today, for June brides (or those considering a June wedding) it's good to note the following things:

- Flowers costs do begin to drop in June as more stock becomes available closer to home, especially bright blooms like lilies, orchids, and peonies.
- Watch out for holiday weekends and dates when schools get out, if you can, to consider those travelling for your wedding (especially if they have kids).
- Consider a destination wedding. Summer months are typically low-season (because sun-seekers can finally stay home to have nice weather) and therefore less expensive for you and your guests, as well as more room options and perks at the resort.
- Hurricane season is technically June - November in many places, but June is the safest of all months.

So, whether you're a bride this June, or simply attending the June weddings of your friends and family, enjoy it! You're taking part in one of the most romantic traditions we have on this planet. And as the song says, "when you marry in June, you're a bride all your life."


Sunday used to be a popular wedding day; it was the one day most people were free from work. Puritans in the seventeenth century put a stop to this, believing it was improper to be festive on the Sabbath. In early U.S. history, Wednesday was the luckiest day for weddings. Friday was avoided as the “hangman’s day.”

Today, Saturdays are busiest, despite this old rhyme:

Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday best of all; 
Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all.


Who?

According to tradition, only an unmarried woman could be a maid of honor, and only the brother, best friend, or father of the groom could be the best man.

The original purpose of the bridesmaid and the best man was to aid in the capture of the bride, get her to church on time, and keep any hostile family members away! Now the bridesmaids can usher the guests to their seats, and the best man carries the ring and offers a toast.

Once the flower girl’s role was not simply to spread petals down the aisle, but to protect the bride from the Devil with her shield of virginity. Today, the ring bearer can be a girl, boy, or even a dog!


WHAT?

Although engagement rings have been popular through the ages, it wasn’t until Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented a diamond to Mary of Burgundy in 1477 that the tradition of offering the most enduring gem on Earth took hold. These days, the majority of brides still receive diamond engagement ring but more and more brides are choosing unique precious stones as their center stone for wedding ring sets.


Why?

Rice is the latest in a long list of fertility symbols that have been thrown at newlyweds. Over the centuries, guests have tossed cakes, grain, fruit, sweetmeats, and biscuits. Nowadays, it’s common to shower the couple with rice or the more environmentally-friendly birdseed. Another idea is to toss dried rose petals.


OTHER WEDDING TRADITIONS

Being given away is a tradition that evolved from the days when men bought brides from fathers or, even worse, captured them! Today, brides may ask either parent or both parents to walk them down the aisle.

The traditional wedding vows have given way to more personal expressions of love. Many couples have even dropped the wording “honor and obey”.


MARRIAGE ADVICE: FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM

Married when the year is new, he’ll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds do mate, you wed not 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’ll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labor for their 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 snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.

–Anonymous