| The
Bridal Shower
Greek
origin: The Greek bride spends a few days before the
wedding with her mother, a few female relatives, friends
and servants who will help her prepare for her wedding.
During this time, the bride makes offerings to various
gods to aid her in making the transition into her new
life.
The
Veil
Greek origin: The veil was the most important
component of the bride's attire. It symbolized the bride's
purity before marriage. The most important part of the
wedding ceremony was the unveiling of the bride which
is also the part where the bride is handed over to the
groom.
Roman
origin: The
word nuptials itself was derived from nubo
, meaning ìI veil myselfî. The veil was one of
the main symbols of a Roman wedding.
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Something
Old, Something New:
What You Don't Know About Wedding
Ceremonies, Celebrations and Customs
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About
this book |
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The
Headpiece
Roman origin: The Roman bride's
hairstyle was unique to brides, the tutulus
. It was divided into six locks fastened
with fillets on top of her head in a cone. The
bride's hair was parted with a bent iron spearhead,
a hasta recurva . It is believed that
the Romans did this to drive evil spirits thought
to be living in the hair.
The
Ring
Greek origin: Ancient Greeks
used the third finger as the ring finger because
they believed it was connected directly to the
heart through a certain ìvein of loveî.
The
Wedding Gown
Roman origin: Like the modern bride,
brides of Ancient Rome wear their wedding attire
only once.
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The
Wedding Procession
Greek origin: Honored participants
join the procession, as well as the groomsmen and some
women with baskets and vases that contained sandals,
quinces, roses, violets and fruits, which are pelted
on the couple similar to a victory parade of the victorious
as they come home from Panhellenic games. Music was
provided for by men with musical instruments.
Matron
of Honor and Bridesmaids
Greek origin: The Bridal helper was called
a numpheutria . She, along with the mother
of the bride and other women relatives and friends,
help the bride prepare for the wedding meal as well
as preside over the sacrifices for the ceremony. The
numpheutria also accompanies the bride to
the banquet hall.
Sponsors
Roman origin: A required number of witnesses
sign the tabulae nuptiales or the marriage
contract prepared by the auspex who portrays
both priest and best man roles in the ceremony.
The
Shower of Rice Confetti
Greek origin: Grains played an important
role as the bride walked from her paternal home to her
new home for it was in remembrance of Demeter, Goddess
of Harvest, which symbolizes good fortune, fertility,
and social life.
The
Wedding Feast
Roman origin: The Roman wedding feast was called
the cena . This wedding breakfast was paid
for by the groom. In this feast gifts were given to
the bride and groom.
Carrying
over the Threshold
Greek origin: The Greek groom lifted his bride
from the chariot and into the ìthresholdî where the
groom's mother awaits to welcome the bride into the
new home.
Roman
origin: The Roman groom oftentimes carried his bride
over the threshold because if the bride tripped over
the threshold it was seen as a sign of ill-fortune. |
