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English Weddings
From fairy tales to reality
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Way to church
The wedding party walks to the church together in a procession. Walking is thought to be the best way of getting to Church, as there is more chance of spotting lucky omens. Seeing a rainbow, having the sun shine on the bride and meeting a black cat or a chimney sweep are all lucky.
Bad omens include seeing a pig, spotting an open grave or monks or nuns as they foretell barrenness and a life dependent on charity.
The wedding ceremony
The ceremony (most often in the Anglican Church) usually consists of two or three hymns. English fathers don't kiss their daughters at the altar. During the ceremony, the couple will leave the sanctuary area and with the priest enter the vestry to sign the wedding documents. They are considered officially married after this is completed.
At the benediction, a square piece of cloth, the "care cloth" is held over the bride and bridegroom.
Church bells ring as the couple enters. They play a different tune as the newlyweds exit to scare off evil
spirits.
Food
Traditionally English weddings take place at noon. After that there is a seated luncheon, called a wedding breakfast.
The wedding cake was originally broken over the bride's head to bestow good luck and fertility. Today's three-tier wedding cake is based on the unusual shape of the spire of Saint Bride's Church in London. Traditionally the newly-weds should make the first cut to signify sharing their life. Every guest then eats a crumb to ensure good luck. And sleeping with a piece under her pillow is said to make a single woman dream of her future husband.
The throwing of confetti meanwhile is an ancient fertility rite. Handfuls of grain or nuts were traditionally thrown because they are 'life-giving' seeds. In some European countries, eggs are thrown instead.
After this the bride and groom dance the first dance.
Wedding gifts
Family members pass around the bride's general list of items she needs. There is no such thing as a "shower." Guests take their gifts to the reception where they are opened. Monetary gifts are very rare.
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