| Reception Symbology |
| Wedding Cake |
| The first wedding cakes were actually a loaf of bread. In seventeenth century England, it became fashionable to have plum cakes coated with a sugar icing as a wedding cake. Sugar at the time was rare and expensive, and the quality was not guaranteed. The whiter the icing, the wealthier the couple was, no other deocrations were used to detract from this. In the 1850's, wedding cakes became taller, with more and more tiers being added. The 1930's saw the addition of novelty shapes and colors to the wedding cake. |
| Cutting of the Cake |
| In the early Roman times, a cake was broken over the bride's head to symbolize fruitfullness and good fortune. Guests would then scramble to pick up the pieces, to share in the good fortune. The cutting of the wedding cake was originally done by the bride alone to represent her cutting the ties with her old life. The joint cutting of the cake came to symbolize not only the cutting away of the past, but also as the newlyweds first joint venture. Feeding each other cake represents the ability for the bride and groom to care for the other when ill. |
| Bouquet Toss |
| The bouquets were originally made of herbs which were believed to bring good luck, and was therefore it was a much desired possession. The bride would originally choose a single lady to pass the bouquet too, along with the luck it brought. The tossing of the bouquet came about later, when it was decided that the lucky object would fly to whomever was the most deserving. |
| GarterToss |
| Originally, men would follow the bride and groom to their rooms to witness the consummation of the marriage. Taking clothing back to the reception showed the other guests that the marriage was complete. This became a riot of men tearing at the bride's clothing. The groom to save his new wife's modesty would take the garter off and toss it to the masses, who would then leave the newlyweds to their privacy. |
| Party Favors |
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| In days of old, when the reception was drawing to a close, guests would take flowers out of the bride's bouquet and snip pieces from her gown for good fortune. In more modern times, brides have supplied small favors to give out as gifts to guests at the wedding. The gifts not only save the bridal gown from being destroyed, they serve as souvenirs for the guests. |