Fortunes in Wedding Cakes
The history of wedding cakes is varied greatly by culture. In ancient Rome, a small barley cake was partially eaten by the groom who then broke the rest of the cake over his bride’s head to symbolize prosperity.
In England, cakes were stacked on top of each other and the bridal couple who was able to kiss over the top of them without toppling the cakes would also be able to look forward to a prosperous future.
However, it wasn’t until the 17th century that sugar was more plentiful in Europe and white icing began to appear on cakes.
The white color came from the whiteness of the sugar and it was thought that it also represented the bride’s virginity. Since sugar was still relatively expensive among the poorer members of society, it meant that the whiter the cake, the more prosperous the bride’s family.
What are Honeymoons Made of?
In the ancient past, after the wedding, the bride and groom would hide away from the bride’s family for a length of time. During that period, the couple would drink a fermented honey wine known as mead. Mead was originally developed by monks for medicinal purposes.
Due to its high alcoholic content, however, it also was thought to raise a person’s spirits and since brides were often kidnapped by grooms and forced into marriages, it was founds that the honey wine would make the bride more agreeable to consummate the marriage and, presumably, before the next full moon, she would become pregnant. Thus, the term “honeymoon” was coined.
Gift Giving: Dowries and Bridal Showers
In olden days a bride’s father paid the groom or gave him a dowry for marrying his daughter. The dowry could take the form of money but in general it consisted of a variety of items to help them start their household. It also could be livestock, a plot of land to start a farm or useful tools to help the groom be able to make a living.
However, if a man wanted to marry a woman and her father was poor and unable to provide a dowry, family and friends would often gift items to the bride and her father so that she could have a dowry and marry her young man. It is said that these gifts would be “showered” upon her. Hence, the custom of bridal gifts purchased for her bridal showers.
Its amazing what traditions we carry forward, often with knowing the original meaning or reason. Do you have any suggestions on which we should continue and which should fade into the past? Add your thought below.
Wedding Planning Tips Blogger
Tags: bridal showers, dowry, honeymoon, wedding cakes
