ORANGE BLOSSOMS AT WEDDINGS

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17711, 15 May 1929, Page 9

ORANGE BLOSSOMS AT WEDDINGS

' (To the Editor.) Sir, —A correspondent, recently inquired as to tiie significance ol' the time-honoured custom of the wearing of orange blossom by brides. I submit t.he following information, which the reader may verify and amplify by referring to Frazer's “Golden Bough.”

The Saracen brides used to wear orange blossoms as an emblem of fecundity, and occasionally the same emblem may have been worn by European brides ever since the time of the, crusades, but the general adoption of wreaths of orange blossoms for brides is comparatively a modern practice, due especially to a taste in the last century for llower language. The subject of bridal decorations being made a study, and the orange flower being found suitable, from the use of it by the ancient Saracens, it was introduced by modistes as a fit ornament for brides. The notion, once planted, soon became a custom adopted by all brides who study the convention of society and follow the accepted fashions-—1 am, etc., FELLOW INQUIRER.