Something old, something new
Something old, something new....
....something borrowed, something blue, a silver sixpence in her
shoe. This well known rhyme is only one of many customs and
traditions associated with the marriage ceremony. It originates
from an old English superstition that required the bride to
carry each of these objects with her as she walked down the
aisle. Something old symbolized the bride's past and hope for a
long marriage. Something new, the beginning of the bride and
groom's new life together as husband and wife, something
borrowed: "borrowing" the happiness of an existing marriage and
using it to start happiness and joy in the couples new marriage.
The bride carrying something blue symbolized loyalty and
fidelity in the marriage: and a silver sixpence in her shoe
symbolized good luck. Today's version of the wedding cake may
have evolved from the early Roman tradition of breaking bread
over the brides' head right after the ceremony. The wheat in the
bread symbolized fertility and the crumbs were considered good
luck. The custom of having flowers play a role in the wedding
ceremony has long been a custom, but herbs have not been used as
much in today's modern wedding. The symbolic use of herbs and
the herbal theme wedding appears to be undergoing a revival.
Every bride wishes for a fairytale wedding, and wants hers to be
the one everyone remembers When you plan a wedding to
incorporate herbs, you will create a lifetime of memories for
you and your guests. There are scores of herbs that can be
chosen by the bride and groom to express their love for each
other, but there are five herbs that have the longest documented
history in wedding ceremonies. Some date as far back as 2,000
years. Rosemary: "that's for remembrance". In ancient Greece
brides entwined rosemary with myrtle and hawthorne to style
their bridal crowns. Rue: "to protect one from evil" According
to some eastern European customs, the brides's mother would
present her daughter with a pot of rue she had taken from her
own garden, for the daughter to start hers. Myrtle: represents
"true love" Myrtle was the herb of the goddess of love, Venus.
She used the herb's blossoms to fashion crowns and garlands for
her followers to wear. Ivy: "for fidelity". The Roman bride and
groom were given a bough of these heart shaped leaves and
trailing stems of ivy during the wedding ceremony. Marjoram:
"the herb of joy, happiness and marital bliss" Marjoram was
woven into the crowns and nosegays of the bride and her
attendents by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Herbs, dried,
fresh, and their essential oils can be used before the ceremony,
during the wedding itself, and the reception. Invitations
scented with the essential oils of lavender, vanilla, or ylang
ylang, are some of my favorites. (Place a cotton ball with
several drops of oil in the corner of the box, not touching the
paper). Herbs can used liberaly in the bride and attendants
bouquets, and the groom and groomsmens boutonnieres. There are a
number of good books with herbal recipes for main dishes, dips,
cakes, punches, and teas, that will continue the herbal theme,
and the wedding and reception area can be filled with the aroma
of diffusing oil, bouquets or pots of fresh herbs, and herb
scented candles. Whether you decide to plan an herb themed
wedding, or just incorporate one or a few herbs in your ceremon,
they will make your special day truly memorable. Karen Creel
karen@gardenchick.com www.GardenChick.com