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Traditions are simply memories of the past* still taking root in our lives today. As you read through these long cherished practices of ages gone by* choose for yourself those that will make your day more meaningful and special.

AFRICA: Holding hands at the alter and the walk back up the aisle after your ceremony may well be a custom derived from the tradition still performed in some tribes today of binding the bride and groom’s wrists together with plaited grass.

BELGIUM: A lovely tradition has long been practiced in Belgium to make and embroider a handkerchief for the bride to carry during her wedding. The brides name would also be embroidered on it. Following the wedding* she would them frame the handkerchief and hang it on the wall until the next wedding in the family* at which time it was to be taken down and the new bride’s name embroidered on it as well. This was handed down from generation to generation.

BERMUDA: An old custom which is certainly catching on today as we look forward to the new millennium is that of planting a tree to memorialize the wedding day. Even yet today* some Islanders top off their wedding cake with a small tree sapling. The tree is planted during the reception which is often held at the home of one of their parents* if not the new home they will share together as man wife.

CHINA: Red is the color of “Love and Joy” in China. At one time it was the brides favorite color of choice for the wedding garment* candles* guest gift favors and everything that went along with her wedding. In China today* many girls still choose to go by the old traditions of their forefathers* but more and more* the country is becoming westernized and brides are opting for the exquisite white gowns worn throughout the world. An interesting point of interest may be the number of wedding gowns made in China today* finding their way to your favorite bridal shop. Almost without a doubt as you have shopped for your gown* you have either tried on or looked upon gowns made on mainland China.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Rosemary wreaths* handmade by the mother or grandmother of the bride is a century old tradition for brides in the countryside. A variation of this today is seen as wreaths of baby’s breath and miniature roses* worn as often by the attendants as the bride herself.

ENGLAND: The familiar tradition of a flower girl throwing rose petals as she passes down the aisle before the bride is a reminder of days gone by when the bride walked to the church with her maids in waiting. Leading the procession was always a young girl throwing flower petals along the lane* so the bride’s path through life would be happy and laden with flowers.

FINLAND: In Finland* brides once wore crowns of gold. Following the wedding and during the reception* the tradition known as the “Dance of the Crowns” took place. The bride would be blindfolded* while her unmarried maids would dance around her in a circle. She would remove her crown and place it on a maiden* and whoever she crowned was said to be the next to marry. This custom could be easily be reborn by the bride who wears a wreath rather than a veil* and she too could dance the “Dance of Crowns”.

FRANCE: A lovely custom coming to us out of France comes in the form of a two handled cup called the “coup de marriage”. The cup was saved to be used from one generation to another. Of course* the custom has long been established of drinking a toast to one another* but the two handled cup adds a special touch to the weddings of today. Until recently* these cups have been very difficult to find. Drinking from the same cup denotes “togetherness”.

GERMANY: The tradition coming to us out of Germany includes the bride and groom holding candles trimmed with flowers and ribbons. This beautiful old tradition could be included in a wedding of today* with the couple placing candles they have carried to the alter beside their unity candle. These candles could then be used to light the unity candle at the end of the ceremony[/SIZE][/FONT[/COLOR]]