MARY BRASWELL: June remains the most popular month for weddings

The month of June has long been the most popular time of year for a wedding. The tradition dates back to the Roman Empire and has survived into the 21st Century, albeit for different reasons. Here is a look back and forward at the many traditions associated with weddings, whether in June or another time.

WHY JUNE?

—The month of June derives its name from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth. It was believed that couples married in June would be blessed with prosperity and happiness. Her husband, Jupiter, was also her brother.

— During medieval times, a person’s annual bath usually took place in the spring, meaning the bride and groom would be relatively fresh.

— Flowers, more readily available in June, were carried by the bride but also used to help hide the body odors of those yet to have his or her annual washing.

— Assuming, and correctly so in many cases, that the bride would conceive shortly after marriage, June was a practical time for weddings in agricultural communities so births would not interfere with harvest time.

— More recently, June was selected because of good weather, school breaks and in order to be considered married for the entire financial (fiscal) year, thereby increasing the next tax refund.

QUIK QUIZ

An old wives’ tale says that if the younger of two sisters marries first, the older sister must do what at the wedding or risk never landing a husband?

a) Kiss the groom

b) Dance barefoot

c) Catch the bouquet

d) Wear no underwear

Answer is at the end of the column.

GOOD LUCK, BAD LUCK

— According to Greek culture, a bride should tuck a sugar cube into her glove to sweeten the union of husband and wife.

— It is bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony. This idea dates back to a time when marriages were arranged by parents, more like a business agreement than having anything to do with love. It was feared that if the couple saw one another, one (or both) would flee before legally joined.

— A Swedish bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her mother in each shoe to ensure she will never do without.

— Knives really have no place on a wedding registry. A knife symbolizes a broken relationship. If, however, a knife or knives are given to the bride, she should give the giver a penny. That way, it is a purchase, not a gift.

— English folklore declares Monday a good day to marry for wealth and Tuesday for health.

— A pearl engagement ring is bad luck because the shape resembles a tear.

—An aquamarine engagement ring symbolizes harmony and is believed to ensure a long marriage.

OH, REALLY?

— For couples wishing for a clear weather wedding day, it is wise to buy a bottle of bourbon and bury it at the ceremony venue precisely one month before the wedding. The bottle must be sealed and buried upside down as close to where the couple will stand to takes their vows. After the service, the bottle can be dug up and shared with guests.

— The wedding of Princess Salama in Dubai in 1981 cost over $44 million.

— Derived from a Quaker tradition, a pounding party can be given as a housewarming celebration. The idea is to furnish the pantry with pounds of goods such as flour, sugar, rice, beans, salt, etc. A more modern version adds pounds of such things as light bulbs, dish towels and cleaning supplies.

— Ancient Greeks and Romans believed a bride’s veil protected her from evil spirits.

— The ring that Elvis Presley gave Priscilla, his wife-to-be, was a 3 1/2-carat diamond surrounded by a detachable row of smaller diamonds.

— Peas are thrown at Czech newlyweds rather than rice.

— In Wisconsin, some wedding parties go bar hopping while they wait for the bride and groom to have the wedding photos taken. It is not unusual for the hoppers to rent a limo for the occasion.

— Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.

— In many cultures, the hands of the bride and groom are tied together to demonstrate the couple’s commitment to one another. This practice is still done today at some Hindu and Egyptian weddings. “Tying the knot” means just what it implies.

— In Egypt, the bride’s family traditionally does all the cooking for the first week after the wedding so the couple can relax.

— Seventeen tons of gold are made into wedding rings each year in the United States.

— In parts of India women born as Mangliks are considered “cursed” and thought to be likely to cause their husband an early death. In order to ward of this curse, they must first be married to a tree and the tree cut down to break the curse.

— As far back as 500 B.C., Spartan soldiers held stag parties, gentrified much later to the term bachelor parties. The parties were quite loud and rowdy, as some still are today.

QUOTES ABOUT WEDDINGS,

LOVE AND MARRIAGE

“It’s a funny thing that when a man hasn’t anything on earth to worry about, he goes off and gets married.” — Robert Frost

“For many years my wedding ring has done its job. It has led me not into temptation. It has reminded my husband numerous times at parties that it is time to go home. It has been a source of relief to a dinner companion and a status symbol in the maternity ward.” — Erma Bombeck

“Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.” — Martin Luther

“Our whole wedding cost 180 bucks. Afterwards we re-heated lasagna for everyone and set off fireworks.” — Larry the Cable Guy

“Don’t marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can’t live without.” — James Dobson

“Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy, you must have somebody to divide it with.” —Mark Twain

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” —Dr. Seuss

Quik Quiz answer: b) dance barefoot

Each week Albany Herald researcher Mary Braswell looks for interesting events, places and people from the past. You can contact her at (229) 888-9371 or [email protected]. Follow @ABH_MBraswell on Twitter