Hmm, a strange choice, maybe. But at Illustries Wedding #1 a large gathering of friends from Germany, along with guests from France and of course, the Welsh contingent, got us to thinking about traditions from other countries that might make a quirky twist.
'On the Continent' (doesn't that sound a bit seventies?), a whole host of different wedding traditions exist. In Germany, it is traditional to wear the wedding ring on the right hand, for dill and salt to be placed in the bride's shoe by her mother and for fir boughs to be laid across the newlywed couple's path to symbolise luck, hope and fertility.
In France, a square of silk is held over the couple's head as they receive their final blessing, and the silk is kept to wrap their children for their baptism. Roads to the church are often 'closed' with ribbon that the bride must cut (for a fee!), or even blocked with briars that the groom must clear to demonstrate his determination.
Back here in Wales, the traditional love spoon is carved by the suitor and given to his intended as they begin courting, and in times past the bride was disguised as a granny for the evening party, with much hilarity in her discovery.
Our own traditions can sound really strange if you consider them heard by a stranger (sixpence in the shoe, the giving away of the bride, keeping the top tier of the cake) but often there is a degree of similarity: the bride paying her way is something that happened to one of our couples in South Wales (and the local children who were blocking her path balked at the £2 offered, preferring notes!).
We love the French and German tradition of the wedding guests following the car of the bride and groom honking their horns all the way - easy to get your mates to replicate, and bound to gather some smiles and good luck waves as you head for your reception. Including some fir in the floral arrangements, carrying some silk or keeping the veil to add later to christening outfits all add to the story you're telling on your day or the plans you're making for the future.
And as we all love a little jewellery, adding an eternity ring to your right hand rather than left could signify to the whole world that you're married - whichever way you look at it!
At Illustries, we're all about memories: remembering, celebrating and enjoying all those special times that can pass too quickly. We think memories deserve to be shared, and so we're sharing. Here, in our blog, we are creating a Library of Days. Our own as we build our business, and yours as you celebrate weddings, births, big life events - you name it, we'll celebrate it!
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