“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
