Courtship - The Romance.... dating, "The Kiss"

Engagement - The Promise....ring, bridal shower/bachelor party

Wedding - The Commitment....gown, veil, bouquet, garter, rings, the unity candle, the vows, throwing of rice, tossing the bouquet, shoes on bumper, the first dance, the cake, over the threshold, the honeymoon, and finally a family ... for a new generation to experience the same

Have you ever heard of.....?

An old english rhyme popular by the late Victorian (England) period. It's source and accuracy have not yet been confirmed. It was categorized as a Puritan Marriage Custom.

With each item holding some form of traditional significance, it is said that the bridal ensemble is not complete without them. These days, it is accepted that the groom also include the tradition in their ensemble.

Something Old	represents continuity; past traditions moving to the future. Traditionally, an heirloom object, or a sentimental piece that represents a link with the bride's family and her old life
Something New	offers optimism/luck and hope for the future; represents the couple's new life together and their future hope for happiness
Something Borrowed	symbolizes borrowed happiness; also past traditions. Traditionally, something given to the bride by a happily married woman in the hope that her happiness/joy, luck and good fortune in marriage would be passed on to the new bride. It should be return soon after the wedding day to ensure good luck.
Something Blue	symbolize faithfulness, loyalty, purity, love, constancy, fidelity, modesty and fertility. In biblical days, the bride and groom would wear a blue band around the bottom of their wedding attire. The custom is said to have originated in ancient Israel where the bride wore a blue ribbon in her hair to represent fidelity. - The color blue also symbolizes the moon (It is said that the goddess of the moon, Diana, serves as the protector of women)
A Sixpence in Your Shoe	this part of the rhyme that is not as popular as the rest, it is to ensure good fortune and prosperity/wealth, not just in the material sense, but also in happiness and joy through the couple’s married life. The sixpence is placed by the father of the bride in the bride's left shoe prior to leaving home for the church, but it can also be carried in the bride's purse or sewn into the hem or lining of her gown. It remains largely a British custom. In the USA, brides substitute a penny in their shoe during the ceremony as silver sixpences are less common. The sixpence was a silver coin which was in use in the UK between the 17th and 20th centuries. Sixpences were also minted and used in Maryland, USA during the same time. - Originally the sixpence was presented to the bride by her future husband as a token of his love.

Wedding Timeline Guide | Wedding ABCs | Entourage Duties and Responsibilites

WHAT DOES YOUR BOUQUET SAY ABOUT YOU?

Angelica - Inspiration Apple Blossom - Better things to come Basil - Love and Good Wishes Bay - Achievement and Fame Beebalm - Virtue Bluebells - Constancy Borage - Bravery Camelia - Gratitude Carnation - Fascination and love Chamomile - Wisdon and Fortitude Chervil - Sincerity Chives - Usefulness Chrysanthemum (red) - I love you Chrysanthemum (white) - Truth Cyclamen - Modesty and shyness Daffodil - Regard Daisy - Innocence Dill - Good Cheer, Survival in the face of Odds Fennel - Power and Endurance Fern - Fascination and sincerity Flowering Almond - Hope Forget-me-not - True love and remembrance Geranium (scented) - Happiness Goldenrod - Encouragement Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness Honeysuckle - Generosity Hyacinth - Unobtrusive Loveliness Hydrangea - Boastfulness Iris - Warmth of affection, Pure heart and Faith Ivy - Friendship and Eternal fidelity Japonica - Loveliness Jasmine - Grace, Elegance and Amiability Ladies Mantle - Protection Lavender - Devotion Lemon Balm - Sympathy and Regenaration Lemon Blossom - Fidelity in love Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence Lily - Majesty, Purity and Modesty Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness Magnolia - Perseverance and Dignity Maidenhair - Discretion Marjoram - Joy Mimosa - Sensitivity Mint - Refreshment Mugwort - Pleasant Journey Orange Blossom - Purity and virginity Parsley - Merriment Peach Blossom - Captive Rose (red) - Love Rose (white) - Worthiness Rose (other colors) - Love and beauty Rosemary - Remembrance Sage - Long Life and Wisdom Savory - Interest Snowdrop - Hope Sunflower (dwarf) - Adoration Sweet Pea - Delicate pleasures Sweet Woodruff - Humble Spirit Thyme - Daring Tarragon - Lasting Involvement Tulip - Love Veronica - Fidelity Violet - Faithfulness Yarrow - Good Health

WHAT KIND OF BRIDE ARE YOU?

A January bride will be a prudent housekeeper, and very good tempered A February bride will be an affectionate wife, And a tender mother A March bride will be a frivolous catterbox, Somewhat given to quarreling An April bride will be inconsistent, or forceful, But well-meaning A May bride will be handsome, agreeable, And practical A June bride will be impetuous, And generous A July bride will be handsome, But a trifle quick-tempered An August bride will be agreeable, And practical as well A September bride will be discreet, affable, And much liked An October bride will be pretty, coquettish, Loving but jealous A November bride will be liberal and kind, But sometimes cold A December bride will be fond of novelty, Entertaining but extravagant

WHICH MONTH TO MARRY

Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true. When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate. If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know. Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man. Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day. Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go. Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred. Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine. If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry. If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember. When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last WHICH DAY TO MARRY... Monday for wealth Tuesday for health Wednesday the best day of all Thursday for losses Friday for crosses Saturday for no luck at all WHAT DOES THE COLOR OF YOUR GOWN SAY ABOUT YOU? Married in White, you have chosen right, Married in Blue, your love will always be true, Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl, Married in Brown, you will live in town, Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead, Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow, Married in Green, ashamed to be seen, Married in Pink, your spirit will sink, Married in Grey, you will go far away, Married in Black, you will wish yourself back.