Maui Wedding Photographer

Bridal Shower:

Back in the days when weddings were arranged by family members, a poor Dutchman fell in love with a girl whose father refused her a dowry. Their friends showered her with enough gifts to help them start a household. According to another lore, the first “Bridal Shower” occurred at the end of the 19th century. At a party, the Bride’s friends placed small gifts inside a parasol and opened it over the Bride’s head. When she opened the parasol, she was “showered” with presents!

When a father did not approve of his daughter’s marriage, some of the local townspeople would come together and give the bride an assortment of household items to be used as a dowry.

The Toast:

We call it a “toast” when we drink to someone because of an old French custom in which a piece of bread was put in the bottom of the wine cup—for flavor.

Party-goers would drink and pass the cup; when it reached the person being toasted, he would drain it—crouton and all. It sounds pretty unhygienic. But think of how much more excitement a crunchy beverage would bring to the traditional wedding toast. I’d drink to that.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue:

This superstition of the Bride wearing something that fits each of these four categories originated in Europe to ward off evil spirits. Something Old: This tradition symbolized the sense of continuity while making the transition from a single person to that of a married couple. Something New: This tradition symbolized that marriage represented a transition to adulthood. Something Borrowed: This tradition symbolized the popular belief that by borrowing something from a happily married couple, good fortune would follow the newlyweds. Something Blue: In ancient Israel, blue was the border color of the Bride’s dress symbolizing purity, constancy and fidelity.