Rafah Prep Girls “C’’ School
The project of the ISA
“Weddings in different countries”
Done by /
students in Grade 8
March 2014
Before the Wedding in Britain
Marriage is usually initiated by a proposal of
marriage, simply called "a proposal"
A man who is engaged to be married is called
his partner's fiancé; a woman similarly
engaged is called her partner's fiancée.
The People
In addition to the bride and groom, traditional
weddings involve a lot more people. Typically,
these positions are filled by close friends of
the bride and groom
The Wedding Ceremony
A bride's wedding day is often marked as "the
happiest day of her life", but in all honesty it's
often a very stressful experience as there are
lots of conventions surrounding the whole thing
and you can get caught up in family rows, and
trying to please everyone.
During the ceremony the bride and groom
make their marriage vows.
After the vows have been spoken the couple
exchange rings.
Nice Day for a White Wedding
In the past Wednesday was considered the most
auspicious day to get married, as shown in this old
rhyme, which seems to favour the first half of the
week.
The Clothing
The Western custom of a bride wearing a white
wedding dress, came to symbolize purity
The reception
After the ceremony there is usually a reception
at which the married couple, the couple's
parents, the best man and the wedding
entourage greet each of the guests. At such
events it is traditional to eat and drink - a lot.
It is considered lucky for the couple to cut the cake together.
It symbolizes them working together during their marriage.
A tier is usually stored, and eaten by the couple at their first
wedding anniversary, or at the christening of their first child.
The cake can be frozen and if the top tier of the cake is
fruitcake, it can be stored for a long time, because it's so full
of sugar (and often alcohol) that it's very well preserved.
British Wedding Traditions
The happy couple toast each other. (This has
nothing to do with sliced bread.)
The newlyweds have the first dance.
The couple cut the cake together,
this symbolizes their first meal as
husband and wife
The bride may throw her bouquet to the assembled
group of all unmarried women in attendance, with
folklore suggesting the person who catches it will be
the next to wed.
It is usual for the couple to go away on holiday
together. This is called the honeymoon.
The Cost of Getting Married in the UK
In 2004 the average wedding in the
UK cost £16,000, and prices have
risen
Holland
A lovely old Dutch custom holds that before the wedding day,
guests would visit the bride's house where they would eat
bruid suikas, a traditional sweetmeat. The door of the bride's
house was painted green, and wedding guests scattered
flowers all around it before the couple left for town hall to be
married in a civil ceremony. After the ceremony, the bride
and groom would sit under a canopy of fragrant evergreens
(signifying everlasting love) where they received warm wishes
and wedding gifts from friends.
Ten Greek Wedding Traditions
Each culture has its own traditions. Whether it's making
holiday decorations or planning a wedding, each culture
has a unique way of doing things. This is especially true
with people who have a Greek heritage. While similar in
ways to some cultures, there are a number of differences in
Greek wedding traditions. What are some of the more
popular Greek wedding traditions?
Dowry. Although the idea of a dowry may seem obsolete
to some people, it is still a Greek tradition. The mother of
the bride usually spends years collecting a variety of
things from sheets to towels and other household items
for her daughter's marriage
Engagement. The potential groom will meet with the
bride's parents and ask for their daughter's hand in
marriage.
Wedding Date.
Couples are not allowed to marry on certain
dates during the year. These days are most of
the country's Christian observances such as
Lent and the Christmas holidays.
Rings.
The engagement rings, which also serve as the wedding rings, are
traditionally blessed twice. When the couple becomes officially
engaged, the priest blesses the rings and the couple will wear the
rings on their left hand until the wedding. At the wedding ceremony,
the priest once again blesses the rings at which time the bride and
groom switches the rings to the right hand.
Crowns.
the bride and groom are adorned with crowns that are connected by
a single strand of ribbon. This signifies the union of the couple as
well as indicates the pair's "rule" over their household.
Spanish wedding traditions have long been a staple in
Western European culture. Although they may have slightly changed over the
years, some wedding traditions are still practiced today. If a person is
attending a Spanish wedding, what are some traditions he or she should
expect to see?
Orange Blossoms
Although more brides are using a combination of rose garlands and/or white
flowers in their wedding ceremonies, the orange blossom still remains a
favorite decoration.
Coins
One Spanish tradition that has survived is the presentation of thirteen coins
from the groom to the bride. The coins, usually presented in a special bag, box
or tray, symbolize the groom's commitment to his new bride and his vow to
support her.
Bridal Escort
The role of the bride's father during his daughter's wedding is to insure the groom
does not see the bride until the wedding. He then escorts the bride to the church
and to the ceremony. There is also a tradition for the groom. He is expected to walk
down the aisle with this mother.
Bridal Gown
In recent years, Spanish brides have increasingly opted to wear white silk dresses
during the wedding ceremony. A truly traditional Spanish bride's wedding gown will
be quite different. Although the gown may be made of silk, the color of the dress
and the accompanying lace veil will be black. The bride will also take time to
embroider a shirt for the groom to wear during the ceremony.
Ceremony
A Spanish custom that is still upheld today is the time of day that the wedding
ceremony takes place. The majority of weddings take place in the early evening
hours.
Wedding Rings
As with most cultures, the wedding rings are a significant
part of the ceremony as well as a symbol of the union
between the bride and groom. Although some people may
be accustomed to wearing wedding rings on the ring finger
of the left hand, Spanish wedding traditions are different.
The bride and groom wear wedding rings on the right hand.
Festivities
A Spanish wedding reception is filled with festivities. It is not
uncommon to have a Mariachi band and/or lively Latin or
Spanish music playing. Dancing is also expected. The
Sequidillas Manchegas is the traditional dance performed
during the reception.
Food
The use of a groom's cake may be gaining popularity, but there are older
traditions used during the wedding reception. Wedding cookies flavored with
almond and different spices are a favorite delicacy. A meal of seafood and/or the
native dish paella is not uncommon to see at a Spanish wedding reception. Local
wines and sangria are also popular. The wedding cake is usually filled with a
variety of local fruits and almonds.
Party Favors
The bride and groom usually give their guests a variety of different party favors.
Men attending the festivities can expect celebratory cigars during the event. The
bride, on the other hand, not only tosses her bouquet but will give small pins to
be worn upside down by unmarried ladies during the festivities. The Spanish
tradition believes if the pin is lost during the reception; the lady who loses it will
be the next in line to marry.