“What are the differences of now and past weddings in Great Britain?”

“What are the differences of now and past weddings in Great Britain?”

The decision to get married is one of the most important decisions in life. Therefore, it is no wonder that there are so many customs and superstitions associated with weddings. A lot of wedding traditions go back to folklore and pre-Christian times and used to protect marring couples against back luck and evil spirits.

 Dress for the wedding

Now:

Modern brides from England prefer not to leave their wedding dress for their daughter, because fashion is changing, and the daughter is unlikely to be happy about the prospect of wearing a 25-year-old dress for her wedding.

Brides still try to keep the old English tradition: "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and 6p in shoes." The old one can be mother's bracelet, blue - underwear, borrowed - the garter of an older sister, etc. Well, finding something new is not at all difficult. Sixpence goes into the shoe. By the way, modern brides also wear decorative horseshoes on their wrists.

For the dresses of the bridesmaids, the fabric is bought in the same color as for the vests and ties of the groom and groomsmen. The bride pays for the bridesmaids' outfits.

Past:

Throughout the 19th century, a white wedding dress was generally accepted for brides. It was the British who introduced this into the color of the dress in everyday use (if you clarify Queen Victoria). English women prefer more modest wedding dresses than, for example, Russians or American women. You can pay attention to the dress of the magnificent Kate Middleton, who recently became a member of the royal family. The material was selected mainly dense: heavy silk, velvet, satin. White lace was sewn onto it. Women who remarried and widows who remarried wore dresses that corresponded to the fashion that prevailed at that time, or very often wore a blue dress, which was the case at the beginning of the 20th century. In an English wedding, it is important to attach a horseshoe to the dress, this will bring great luck. This is a very old tradition dating back centuries, which was not disregarded by Princess Diana, who married Prince Charles.

Catering at weddings

Now:

Western, including American, tradition of a gala dinner does not imply fried pigs and other dishes on the tables, so no food - only what was brought in portions: salad, hot meals, dessert. Very beautiful table setting, on each table there are flowers (the same as in the bride's bouquet), candles, cards with the names of guests and memorable gifts for each guest – another.

Past:

 In the past, the tradition of using a buffet arose at weddings, all dishes were portioned (salads, hot dishes).

Let's get back to the wedding in general

In the past young people could not just fall in love and decide to get married. First, they needed to obtain their parents’ consent. In fact, quite often it was the parents who decided who their children should marry and not the children themselves. When the prospective groom had obtained his fathers’ consent to marry, a formal marriage proposal had to be made. The prospective groom did not propose in person but sent his friends or members of his family to represent his interest to the prospective bride and her family. If they saw a blind man, a monk or a pregnant woman during their journey, it was believed that the proposal would not be accepted as these signs were thought to bring bad luck. If, however, they saw wolves, this good omen which would bring fortune to the marriage. I just wonder what the hungry wolves thought about it!

I think that now the reason for weddings is either love or for their own benefit

Last but not least, I want to say that weddings are an integral part of human life.