Self Preservation Origin Of Contemporary Wedding Customs

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31052, 6 May 1966, Page 7

Self Preservation Origin Of Contemporary Wedding Customs

According to Encyclopedia Americana, many wedding customs are based on necessities encountered by ancient peoples when they married. Take the matter of “standing up” for the bride. This now traditional practice had its beginnings at a time when primitive man used to select his wife by capturing her in a raid on an enemy tribe. Following the swain’s return —wife-to-be dragged behind his friends would “stand up” around him. The purpose: to ward off attack from rescue parties of the girl’s kinfolk or tribe. The original wedding band, for example, was simply a large band used to tie up the restive damsel after she had been captured. To ensure her continued presence, the girl’s spouse placed a restraining band about her ankle, above her knee, around her neck—or through her nose, depending on tribal ciistom. The “giving away” of the bride in ancient times took place after the prospective bridegroom agreed to pay a particular price to his father-in-law-to-be. The manner and type of payment varied from place to place. And by today’s standards, the purchase price for a wife was not very flattering. A seemingly favourite form of payment, for example, was one cow! Floral Arch Flowers for the church are equally important as those carried by the wedding party and care must be used in their selection. They create the setting for the ceremony and are always noticed by the guests who arrive at least 15 minutes early for the ceremony and have ample opportunity to look around. The church doesn’t have to be banked with flowers to be attractive. A few flowers tastefully arranged can do the job if the budget doesn’t permit elaborate decorations Tall standards and low baskets are the most popular choices for the church but another idea—a floral archcreated at the back of the church using the last two pews is also gaining in popularity.