Twist on Tradition

So everyday I get this newletter from marthstewartweddings.com. Todays was on taking wedding traditions and putting a twist in them. So I think what my post is going to be about today is the origin of wedding traditions and how you yourself can put a little twist in them. Hope you enjoy!

Wedding Invitation

There are actually documented cases of wedding invitations found in caves, but by the early 1700s, wedding invitations were typically verbalized. In fact, they were usually issued in a loud manner. If someone heard the invitation, they could attend the wedding, unless of course there was bad blood between the families. These invitations were typically announced by a town crier.
Why weren't the invitations handwritten? Many people simply couldn't read, so the invitations had to be orally announced. Of course, this didn't apply to the wealthier families and royal families. Monks were well-known for their beautiful handwriting. Their calligraphy was highly coveted, and they were often commissioned to write wedding invitations by those who could afford to do so. Many of these families also had the family crest added to the invitation. This was also used as a means for identifying the family to those who were virtually illiterate.
You know that delicate piece of tissue paper that is usually placed inside of a wedding ivitation? Why is it there? There's actually an interesting piece of history behind that small piece of paper. Metal plate engraving was invented by the 1600s. Because the engraving would easily smudge, a small piece of paper was placed on top to prevent this. That custom was simply passed on to preserve the delicate printing of wedding invitations and continues to be commonly used today.
What's with all the envelopes? Why are wedding invitations sent in two envelopes? Wouldn't one suffice? Once again, this custom follows history. Before the 20th century, the postal service wasn't very reliable. In fact, it was nearly nonexistent in certain areas. The only guaranteed way to deliver a wedding invitation was by hand delivery, usually sent by a hired courier or servant of the family. Since many of these deliveries were by horseback, the envelope might not arrive in the cleanest condition. Thus, the double envelope was designed. Once the courier reached his destination, he handed the invitation to the butler or housemaid, who then removed the outer envelope and handed the inner envelop along with the invitation to the master or mistress of the house.
 http://weddings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Wedding_Invitation_History

Twist on the Wedding Invitation
So we are very lucky because stationary specialists have found all kinds of ways to print your invitations on different materials. Fabric, Vellum, Plexiglass, Birch, Rubber, even Edible Invitations. There are so many options it's really very hard to choose. Here are a few pictures of unusual invitations.


Birch Veneer
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/twists-on-traditions?lpgStart=1&currentslide=2&currentChapter=1


Fabric
http://www.merrimentdesign.com/images/sewn-half-flower-fabric-wedding-invitations_1.jpg


Plexiglass
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnT_DL7LHwNNw_dLfXwv45m8tQHAcu-9Y2QnwbtUk-6W5MwI_X65C48ygqlAUZUu6-yNM7GY94J5jX_Z8E72ayFTnP5Zz6092uRkD_5qP98vFX6_4f4HUTYED6Mupz-xKVJS2SaHaxNY/s640/plexiglass+invite.jpg


Even Chocolate!!!
http://chocolategraphics.co.uk/acatalog/wedding-menus.jpg


Something Old, Something New,
Something Borrowed, and Something Blue

The next line of this old saying actually hints at its origin. The complete phrase is: 
 Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue 
 And a silver sixpence in her shoe.


A sixpence is a coin that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967. It was made of silver and worth six pennies. So this wedding tradition is definitely English, and many sources say that it began in the Victorian era.
Each item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. "Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past. "Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family.
As for the colorful item, blue has been connected to weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. Christianity has long dressed the Virgin Mary in blue, so purity was associated with the color. Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, "Marry in blue, lover be true."
And finally, a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe represents wealth and financial security. It may date back to a Scottish custom of a groom putting a silver coin under his foot for good luck. For optimum fortune, the sixpence should be in the left shoe. These days, a dime or a copper penny is sometimes substituted, and many companies sell keepsake sixpences for weddings.
http://ask.yahoo.com/20031027.html


Twist on Something Old

Ok so maybe that heirloom brooch that your Great Aunt Mary gave you doesn't exactly match your "look."
Now it can you can take an old peice of jewelry like the brooch and attach it to a piece of ribbon and get a completely differnt look!


http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/twists-on-traditions?lpgStart=1&currentslide=3&currentChapter=1

Twist on Something New
If you don't necissarly want to use a particular object as something new you can always go for a new scent or color. Buy yourself some new perfum that way that scent alone will remind you of your wonderful day.


http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/twists-on-traditions?lpgStart=1&currentslide=4&currentChapter=1

Twist on Something Borrowed
Generations of brides have looked to their mothers and grandmothers for wedding-day memorabilia. Let Dad or Grandpa have his day by wrapping a bow tie around the base of your bouquet.


http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/twists-on-traditions?lpgStart=1&currentslide=5&currentChapter=1

Twist on Something Blue
This may be my favorite one. I love the color blue! And the best way I have seen blue done is as your wedding shoe!! If you really want to give it a tist instead of making it a blue heel make it a blue converse! Cute and Comfortable!!!


http://www.weddingobsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/blue-wedding-shoes.jpg


http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/co/converse--all-star--hi-top--blue--white.jpg


Wedding Flowers
In ancient Greece and Rome, the bride and groom wore a garland around their necks, symbolizing new life, hope and fertility. Traditional Celtic bouquets included ivy, thistle and heather. The garland was not made of flowers but of strong-smelling herbs and spices. The strong-smells were thought to have mystical powers and meant to keep away evil spirits.
When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, the herbs and spices had been replaced by fresh flowers, especially marigolds. Edible flowers were still included in the bouquet. The bride would carry her arrangement as she walked down the aisle. The dill from the bride's bouquet (also known as the herb of lust), was consumed by the bride, the groom, and their wedding guests during the reception, as the herb was meant to increase sexual desire.
In Victorian times, flowers became the secret messengers of lovers; each flower having its own meaning. It is believed that 'the flower language' began in Turkey during the seventeenth century. Lovers began using floral exchanges to convey messages. Thus bridal flowers were chosen with regard to their traditional significance.
Unfortunately many lovely flowers were assigned rather undeserved meanings. For many brides, these meanings continue to influence the types of flowers they included in their bouquets. These meanings were based on a science known as Florigraphy, 'the flower language'. Many flower lovers followed this language as it revealed underlying messages to sending and receiving flowers.
However in our modern times, brides pick their flowers on their lovely colours and shapes. Lovely blooms that suit their personality, bridal gown and their own unique style and taste.
http://www.perfect-wedding-day.com/bridal-bouquets-history.html

Twist on Wedding Flowers
A great twist on wedding flowers in not to have them at all. As you read in my last post it is always a great and less exspensive idea to use other objects for centerpieces. Fall weddings you could use pumpkins and gourds, winter branches and berries, if you want a sort of whimsical look you can use teapots and tea cups. I have also seen differnt fruits used as well as dishes and vases.


http://www.w-weddingflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/organic-wedding-bouquet.jpg


http://houstonweddingfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Spring-Good-Things.jpg

http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/weddings/2006Q4/wrc13_271_0001_01_xl.jpg

There are some pretty awesome alternatives for a wedding bouquet too! Ditch the flowers and hang on to some of these:


Feathers
http://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets


Hand Bag
http://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets


This one I kind of love!!! Old Victorain Buttons!
http://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets


Fans
http://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets


Sea Shells
http://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets


Parasol
http://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets


A great winter option... A Muff !!!
http://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets


Lantern
http://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets


The Guest Book
Historically, the tradition of the tradition of the guestbook was started for legal purposes. In the olden days every guest at a wedding was considered a legal witness, thus they had to leave their name and address on the marriage certificate. In modern times, guestbooks serve as a great memento and keepsake for newlyweds to look back on their day and get great advice and well wishes from their family and friends.
http://www.onereputation.com/aisle-files/?p=2839

A Twist on The Guest Book
There alot of things you can do for your guestbook. Anywhere from engraving dishes, to homevideo's from your guets. the list is endless...


Devote a corner of the event space to a video photo booth: Set up a digital camcorder, leave a movie clapper and dry-erase pens for guests to write their names (or tidings), and let them raise a glass and talk a blue streak. For a seamless background, hang a large white piece of fabric or paper.
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/twists-on-traditions?lpgStart=1&currentslide=8&currentChapter=1

Conversation Starter Guestbook

An ordinary guest book often garners run-of-the-mill well-wishes, so we came up with this clever alternative: Each dinner table bears a blank book with a question on the cover (one per table), and each guest finds a pen and a ribbon, reading "Don't forget to sign the booklet," atop the napkin.

Devising answers is sure to spark fun conversation among tablemates, and assigned topics will result in thoughtful, humorous, touching inscriptions that you'll revisit over and over.

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/conversation-starter-guest-book

Eclectic Guestbook

Inspire guests to express themselves artistically as they write down their sentiments on your wedding day. At the reception, set up a table with craft and office supplies -- pretty card stock, colored pencils, an array of stickers -- and invite guests to embellish their notes with fun designs. Finished cards can be placed in a clear glass bowl, then arranged in a scrapbook later.

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/conversation-starter-guest-book

Envelope Guestbook

Transform a store-bought album into a guest book that has a handmade feel. Use double-sided tape to affix envelopes in assorted sizes and colors to the pages of a plain-paper photo album or scrapbook. Leave cards and a pen on a table for guests to write wishes. When they're done, they can tuck their cards inside the envelopes for the bride and groom to enjoy later.

 http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/conversation-starter-guest-book

Typewriter Guestbook

Set out an old-fashioned typewriter with long sheets of paper for guests to write good wishes to the bride and groom as the feeling strikes. Look for inexpensive vintage machines online or at thrift stores or flea markets; they come in colors to go with any palette. After the wedding, tie into a scroll with ribbon.

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/conversation-starter-guest-book

Tiered Wedding Cake

The origin of the tiered wedding cake also lies in Anglo-Saxon times. Guests would bring small cakes to the wedding and stack them on top of each other. Later, a clever French baker created a cake in the shape of the small cakes and covered it in frosting. It is now known as the tiered cake.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/weddinglore1.html

Twist on the Wedding Cake
Guests have come to expect these huge tiered confectionaries. To give it a bit of a twist you can always do smaller cakes, different shaped cakes, cupcakes or not cakes at all! Here are a few pictures to explain!

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/twists-on-traditions?lpgStart=1&currentslide=9&currentChapter=1

http://www.wedding-planning-101.com/image-files/cup_cake_wedding_cakes_2.jpg

http://www.diamondvues.com/Nintendo%20Wedding%20Cake.jpg

Champagne Toast

According to various apocryphal stories, the custom of touching glasses evolved from concerns about poisoning. By one account, clinking glasses together would cause each drink to spill over into the others (though there is no real evidence for such an origin).According to other stories, the word 'toast' became associated with the custom in the 17th century, based on a custom of flavoring drinks with spiced toast. The word originally referred to the lady in whose honor the drink was proposed, her name being seen as figuratively flavoring the drink. The International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture says toasting "is probably a secular vestige of ancient sacrificial libations in which a sacred liquid was offered to the gods: blood or wine in exchange for a wish, a prayer summarized in the words ‘long life!’ or ‘to your health!’”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toast_(honor)

Champagne Toast With a Twist

A glass of bubbly may be the old standby, but that's not to say it can't be turned into a decadent cocktail. With an ounce of aquavit, a sugar cube, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and a twist of zest, this Champagne sparkles with herbal sweetness.
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/twists-on-traditions?lpgStart=1&currentslide=10&currentChapter=1

A lot of people are skipping the champagne all together to save money and asking people to toast with whatever drink they have on hand. Another way couples are saving on alcohol is by offering only beer and wine or only having a signature cocktail that is served.

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/twists-on-traditions?lpgStart=1&currentslide=10&currentChapter=1

Wedding Favors

It is believed that the European aristocracy began the tradition of bestowing wedding favors upon all of their guests. They were called bonbonniere and consisted of small boxes of crystal or porcelain, which held delicate confections such as cubes of sugar, then considered the ultimate symbol of wealth and royalty. It was also believed that sugar was the source of many health benefits. Over the years, as the price of sugar decreased and became affordable for people from all stations in life, the tradition of giving away wedding favors took root.
Bonbonnieres were slowly replaced with almonds, which were presented either in a confection box or wrapped in elegant fabric. In the 13th century, confetti, (almonds coated with sugar), were introduced and soon became known as sugared almonds. There are five almonds presented in the traditional package of wedding favors, which collectively represent fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness. (The bitterness of the almond and sweetness of the sugar were said to exemplify the bitter sweetness of a marriage).
http://trulyweddingfavors.com/articles/tradition-of-wedding-favors

Wedding Favors with a Twist
Now a days there are so many differnt things that are given as favors. A new trend in wedding favors is to have candy and/or pastery buffets with take home bags, photobooths, and take home flowers from the centerpieces. Also, many people to save some money are sending guests home with mason jars or some sort of container of a family recipe whether it be Dad's Famous BBQ Sauce or Grandma's Taffy.


http://www.beginningtwoend.com/download/candytable-main_Full.jpg



http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Cupcake-in-a-Jar-Unique-Wedding-Favors-250x375.jpg


http://allwomenstalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/8-unique-wedding-favors/custom-fortune-cookies_unique-wedding-favors.jpg


http://blog.theflowerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/blog.theflowerlab.com/2009/07/favors-board.jpg

Throwing Rice
With a toss of confetti, we inaugurated searches on "why throw rice at weddings" and "origin of wedding traditions." Our results, coupled with a peek into the Weddings category of the Yahoo! Directory, showered us with a wealth of answers to your question.
Throwing things at a newly married couple is a very old tradition that may date back to ancient Rome or Egypt or even further back. The custom is intended to give newlyweds good luck, and most of the items thrown at the couple represent fertility and abundance.
Food has always been a popular choice because it symbolizes plentiful crops. Seeds and nuts symbolize fertility because a little seed may grow into a big plant, an appropriate sentiment for a newly married couple. Grains such as wheat and rice were thrown over the newlyweds in the hopes that the couple would be prosperous and have many children to work the land.
While tossing rice became most popular in America, many countries have their own traditions. In Morocco, figs, dates, and raisins are thrown to encourage a "fruitful" union. Italians traditionally shower the newlyweds with sweets and sugarcoated nuts. (The word "confetti" may derive from the root for the Italian word for "confectionery.") In Korea, the groom's father tosses red dates at his new daughter-in-law to bring fertility. In France, wheat greets the happy couple. Eggs represent new life in some European countries and are thrown at newlyweds. An old Irish tradition has the couple being pelted with pots and pans (ouch!) in honor of their new domestic life.
http://ask.yahoo.com/20030626.html

Twist on Throwing Rice
A few differnet ideas include tossing flower petals, sunflower seeds, waiving banners, throwing fall leaves, blowing bubbles, tossing glitter/ confetti or one of my favorites giving everyone sparklers ( this workes best at dusk.)


http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/twists-on-traditions?lpgStart=1&currentslide=12&currentChapter=1


http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/50447038.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=E41C9FE5C4AA0A142B32D9F26EAE104F6CA6328FF032F6C97BBE4929304A3DD0B01E70F2B3269972


https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgHISsilzuKMwdRBJMyw-g1kSR0VGmA0CIN5waZJ3kenac29WgrehWLWAC4mKrN6UHoZo_rQEsLVSF_CQ2_rAPVI1W3534yP3-901Rot__HdEjnnqvxqLGzVXO61o6697jUWpWAkIB5ld/s1600/wedding_bubbles+2.jpg


http://www.districtweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/july4sparklers1.jpg


Well I hope you enjoy my post for today. I had a lot of fun doing this one! If there are any traditions that you have any questions about that I haven't touched on please send me a comment and I would be happy to look into it for you. Or if you know something I don't please leave a comment I am always interested in learning new things!!!