The Civil Ceremony
Although a seemingly ‘modern’ occurrence, Civil Ceremonies have been taking place in the UK since 1836. But having a civil ceremony has become more socially and culturally accepted over the last 20 years.
Here’s a little historical context for you; it’s interesting – promise! Read more
The Church Ceremony
We have recently been posting about all kinds of wedding traditions, from the big entrance to the wedding favours. It’s not exactly a ‘tradition’ but you may have noticed that we missed out something pretty important…The Wedding Ceremony itself!
You may think this is a given, that no-one can escape the part where you ‘do the deed’, but along with everything else the choices for the ‘I do’ part are endless with some people choosing to keep it away from the public forum. Read more
The tradition of giving Wedding Favours goes back several centuries. In the 16th century the French aristocracy presented their party guests with small ornate jewelled boxes called “bonbonnieres” which contained sugary confectionery such as sugared almonds. The bitterness of the almond, encased in the sweet sugar coating symbolised the bitter-sweetness of a marriage. Read more
The Honeymoon
Technically a post-wedding tradition, the importance of the honeymoon in relation to the wedding itself cannot be undermined. If you type ‘honeymoon destinations’ into google images, up pop glorious images of the Maldives, Venice, Barbados and remote island beaches. When saturated with exotic international destinations, it’s easy to get distracted from what the main purpose of a honeymoon is. Which in reality it is to recover and review the wedding itself! Read more
The Wedding Cake
Of course everything about weddings can be pricey to bordering on obscene, but when it comes to Wedding Cakes the price range is mind boggling. Apparently, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding cake cost over £50,000! Even what seems like your basic 2-tiered victoria sponge cake can cost a good few hundred. And some people don’t even like cake! Read more
The First Dance
The First Dance at a wedding is an unusual etiquette. Unlike other traditions it actually has nothing to do with luck, ceremony and isn’t actually that historical. It is a purely European and American cultural activity, which developed around the 1930’s, by where the Bride & Groom as hosts introduce the night of dancing. One can understand the numerous fears and anxieties about this (there’s that famous episode in ‘FRIENDS’ where Chandler has secretly had dance lessons to prepare him for his and Monica’s first dance, only to find that his shoes slipped on the dance floor).
The Bride’s Entrance
Yet another time old tradition that many people fear is that moment when the Bride (or, because we live in a modern world, the Bride and Groom, Groom and Groom, or Bride and Bride) enters the ceremony room. Some might relish the prospect of all eyes being on them; others quake at the thought. Read more
Something Old, Something New…
…Something Borrowed and Something Blue. This tradition comes from an Old English rhyme (“Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe”). Supposedly a bride must add four objects to her wedding outfit or carry with her on her wedding day as good luck charms. Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity (and a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity). Read more
The First Look
In case you’re not familiar with this contemporary wedding tradition, the ‘first look’ is the first time partners see each other on their wedding day. This moment has been carefully crafted by some couples and captured on camera. But this ‘first look’ isn’t the only special one. There’s the moment your family see you for the first time, bridesmaids and indeed all of your guests. The expression on people’s faces seeing you ready to embark on your marriage is absolutely priceless.
Hiring a Professional Photographer
Many couples over the years have struggled with the whole concept of photography at their wedding. These days photographers are one of the larger costs of a wedding, with those unfamiliar with the skill of photography finding it hard to justify thousands of pounds on someone who points and clicks a button. For some having their picture taken makes them feel really awkward, can’t bear the thought of posed photographs with hours of the day spent calling different wedding guests up to the podium. Thankfully the wedding industry has learnt and understood these fears and there are now a plethora of talented, artistic, friendly and skilled photographers available to make this a passing anxiety.
