Jan 19, 2011

Wedding Traditions

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It was a sleepy weeknight when my future son-in-law pulled my husband aside to nervously request his daughter in marriage. After a long talk, the topics of which aren't within my reach, said future son-in-law then awkwardly approached me either to ask for my daughter's hand or to inform me of such, I don't remember.
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And thus I was launched into the MOB world. Mother Of the Bride.
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Besides all the work (and fun!) of planning a wedding, there is a whole etiquette mine field I found myself navigating, while my daughter was urging me keep the wedding to our taste, not the taste Emily Post dictated 100 years ago. For instance, did you know if the MOB wears a black dress it means she doesn't like the new in-laws? (Don't worry, Sandra, mine won't be black, you're the bomb, I like you, I really like you!)
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But still.
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I love the ancient traditions, curious manners and peculiar superstitions that govern the secret society of MOBs.

The Ritual Bath. The bride should have a ritual bath to cleanse her of all evil influences including thoughts of old boyfriends.
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The Handkerchief. Early farmers thought a bride's wedding day tears were lucky and brought rains for their crops. Others thought a crying bride meant that she'd never shed another tear about her marriage. (ha!)
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Getting to the Church. Walking has long been thought to be the best way for the bride to get to the church because there's more of a chance of finding lucky omens enroute, such as a rainbow, sunshine or a chimney sweep. (Seriously. If my daughter passes a chimney sweep while wearing a thousand dollar white dress, I wouldn't consider it lucky) However, there is a chance she could pass some bad omens, too, and those chances are considerably higher living where we do. Bad omens may include seeing a pig, hare, lizard, an open grave or passing a nun (that means you'll be dependent on charity). Yes, we have a nunnery not far from the bride's church.
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Bride on the left. This one I like. This one might be applicable since my daughter's marrying the super-hero Flash. The groom may have to defend his bride from would-be kidnappers, so she must stand to his left, leaving his sword-arm free. The "best" warrior in the tribe stands next to the groom to provide assistance should he require it.
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Sawhorsing. This is appropriate for our village. We set up a sawhorse, log and double handle saw. Bride and groom must saw the log apart while we cheer them on. When the log is cut, it means that they must work together in all of life's tasks. I like this one. I can afford a sawhorse; in fact, I think I have one laying around the barn.
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Kneeling. I come from German stock. Historically in Germany, the couple would kneel during the ceremony. The groom would then kneel on the bride's hem to show that he'll keep her in line. Then the bride could step on his foot as she stands to reassert her bad self.
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Oh my. So, so, so much to do. We gotta get cracking. I think, however, that with what we've found for the reception . . .
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. . . we might be setting some new traditions of our own.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is going to be so, so fun!! You're the bomb, too, btw!

Mom said...

That whole blog was going great until I saw the last picture, yikes!! Are the guests ALL to wear fuchia?

P.S. I really really like you too Sandy so "grandmaw" won't be wearing black!

Anonymous said...

What a relief! I really like all you guys, too! But I do like black and was even considering it if her colors allowed, but we'll have to see now. Don't know anything about the groom's family's etiquette. This is going to be a ride!

Anonymous said...

I cant wait for this,Ill be there with bells on,AND,oh,yeah, my BLACK nicely manicured AND pedicured nails.

Poof said...

The last picture is just a little something that one could do at the reception if one was so inclined...