There are currently 9 traditions in this directory beginning with the letter G.
Garter
Garter - Throwing the garter began in France when pieces of the bridal attire were considered lucky. The bride would throw the garter to the guests at the wedding and whoever caught it could expect good luck. In the United States, the groom traditionally removes the garter from the bride and throws it to the unmarried men. The man who catches it is thought to be the next to marry. At some weddings the man who catches the garter will place it on the leg of the lady who caught the bouquet or they may start the next dance. It is also common for the recipients of the bouquet and garter to have a photograph taken with the bride and groom.
The garter is placed on the brides right leg, just above the knee.
Often the bride chooses to wear both a garter to throw as well as a garter that she would keep.
The garter is placed on the brides right leg, just above the knee.
Often the bride chooses to wear both a garter to throw as well as a garter that she would keep.
German Wedding Customs
Germans respect and love their traditions and maintain them through time and distances.
Foreigners travel to Germany and marry there, Germans living abroad wish to get married in accordance with their native rituals, so it is high time to get brides and grooms acquainted with what they will have to do on their German-like Hochzeit (wedding).
There are some typical German wedding traditions: It is a rule to choose a "special" place for the wedding, rather than the general rule in America of always having the wedding at the bride's family church;
Bride should carry salt and bread as an omen for good harvest, and the groom - grain for good luck and wealth.
Foreigners travel to Germany and marry there, Germans living abroad wish to get married in accordance with their native rituals, so it is high time to get brides and grooms acquainted with what they will have to do on their German-like Hochzeit (wedding).
There are some typical German wedding traditions: It is a rule to choose a "special" place for the wedding, rather than the general rule in America of always having the wedding at the bride's family church;
Bride should carry salt and bread as an omen for good harvest, and the groom - grain for good luck and wealth.
Getting to the Church
Walking is thought to be the best way of getting to the Church, because there's more of a chance of spotting lucky omens. Seeing a rainbow, having sunshine on the bride, and meeting a black cat or a chimney sweep are all lucky. Of course you could run into some bad omens as well. Bad omens are considered seeing a pig, hare or lizard running across the road (not something we usually have to worry about) or seeing an open grave. Make sure you don't run into any Monks or Nuns either, because they foretell a life of barrenness and a life dependent on charity. Coming home from the church can be equally hazardous.
Giving Away The Bride
In Old Times, female children were deemed to be the property of their fathers. When it came time for the daughter to marry and her father approved of the arrangement, he was actually transferring ownership of his daughter to the groom. Today, it is seen as symbolic of the blessings and support of her union as a promise of continued trust and affection. Often when the question is asked by a clergy during the ceremony, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man," the father's response is, "Her mother and I."
Gloves
Victorian brides wore gloves, symbols of modesty and romance; without the "g", they were a pair of loves.
Good Fortune
An old Scottish belief for good fortune: A bride should be met at the door after the wedding ceremony by her mother, who must then break a currant bun over her daughter's head.
A kiss from a chimney sweep is supposed to bring good luck as he has magical associations with the family - the hearth of the fire symbolizing the heart of the family.
A horseshoe carried by the bride is considered a symbol of fertility.
Bad luck for the bride who looks in the mirror wearing her complete outfit before her wedding day - old beliefs say that part of yourself goes into the reflection and therefore, the bride would not be giving all of herself to her new husband.
A kiss from a chimney sweep is supposed to bring good luck as he has magical associations with the family - the hearth of the fire symbolizing the heart of the family.
A horseshoe carried by the bride is considered a symbol of fertility.
Bad luck for the bride who looks in the mirror wearing her complete outfit before her wedding day - old beliefs say that part of yourself goes into the reflection and therefore, the bride would not be giving all of herself to her new husband.
Greek Wedding Customs
In Greece a couple becomes engaged by exchanging rings in the presence of family and friends. After the engagement there is always a feast. They consider this ceremony as binding as a wedding.
Weddings in Greece almost always take place on a Sunday.
On the Wednesday before the wedding they preform the ritual of "starting the leaven." Realatives are invited to come to the home and watch the flour being sieved by a boy and a girl. There is silence throughout the whole process until there is enough flour. Then the people watching throw coins into the sieve and yell out their wishes of good luck.
On Friday, the ceremony known as the "filling of the sacks" takes place. The brides mother places a cooper pan in a sack and the bride fills it and other sacks with all of her possesions while visitors throw coins in among her things.
While the "filling of the sacks" is going on, the groom sends pitchers of wine around the villsge to his friends and relatives with an invitation to the wedding feast. The bride's father does the same for his friends and relatives. The bride goes on Saturday with some of her friends to invite other girls in the village. She gives out sweets insted of wine.
The most important person man at a Greek wedding is not the groom or the priest, it's the koumbaros or sponsor. He is usually the groom's godfather or it can be another man nominated as a mark of great honor.
The wedding procession starts at the groom's house where a wedding flag is raised. Then the flag bearer leads the priest, the groom and his family over to the bride's house. The bride's mother offers the groom wine and herbs for his lapel. After he drinks the bride leaves for the church on the arm of a male relative and the rest of the party follows them on foot.
After the ceremony the bride goes to the groom's house where the flag is raised again. She then throws a piece of old iron onto the roof to symbolize the strength of her new home.
Weddings in Greece almost always take place on a Sunday.
On the Wednesday before the wedding they preform the ritual of "starting the leaven." Realatives are invited to come to the home and watch the flour being sieved by a boy and a girl. There is silence throughout the whole process until there is enough flour. Then the people watching throw coins into the sieve and yell out their wishes of good luck.
On Friday, the ceremony known as the "filling of the sacks" takes place. The brides mother places a cooper pan in a sack and the bride fills it and other sacks with all of her possesions while visitors throw coins in among her things.
While the "filling of the sacks" is going on, the groom sends pitchers of wine around the villsge to his friends and relatives with an invitation to the wedding feast. The bride's father does the same for his friends and relatives. The bride goes on Saturday with some of her friends to invite other girls in the village. She gives out sweets insted of wine.
The most important person man at a Greek wedding is not the groom or the priest, it's the koumbaros or sponsor. He is usually the groom's godfather or it can be another man nominated as a mark of great honor.
The wedding procession starts at the groom's house where a wedding flag is raised. Then the flag bearer leads the priest, the groom and his family over to the bride's house. The bride's mother offers the groom wine and herbs for his lapel. After he drinks the bride leaves for the church on the arm of a male relative and the rest of the party follows them on foot.
After the ceremony the bride goes to the groom's house where the flag is raised again. She then throws a piece of old iron onto the roof to symbolize the strength of her new home.
Groom Gives First Vows
Because he is the initiator, he is the first to state his vow for marriage. As the initiator of the covenant, the groom is to assume the greatest responsibility in the marriage.
