Did You Know - Bridal Bouquet

For ancient Greeks and Romans, the bouquet was a pungent mix of garlic and herbs or grains. The garlic was supposed to ward off evil spirits and the herbs or grains were to insure a fruitful union. In ancient Poland, it was believed that sprinkling sugar on the bride's bouquet kept her temper sweet.


Beautiful bouquet captured by talented Corinna Hoffman Photography.

Did You Know - Longest Wedding Dress Train

According to Guinness World Records the longest wedding dress train measured 1579 m (5180 ft 5 in) and was unveiled during E-Mariage festival in Bucharest, Romania, on 1 April 2009. It is said that the train of the wedding dress is studded with as many as 7,000 Swarovski crystals.

Wow! Can you get me a trailer for this train?

Did You Know - Largest TV Audience for a Wedding

The largest TV audience for a wedding occurred on 29 July 1981, during the marriage of HRH Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer (both UK), which was seen by an estimated 750 million people in 74 countries.

Did You Know - Honeymoon

The first weddings comprised of a groom taking his bride by capture. He would take her somewhere hidden away so her relatives and villagers couldn't find them. There they stayed for one moon phase and drank mead, a wine made from honey, to make them more in love. Thus, the word "honeymoon" was born. Today, the honeymoon is the traditional holiday taken by newlyweds to celebrate their marriage.

Be sure to take a look at some of our honeymoon necessities! Click on any the photo to shop that item!

And just because the wedding is over doesn't mean you're done being the bride! Right? Live it up girl!

Did You Know - Fun Wedding Facts

• The most expensive wedding ever was the marriage of Sheik Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum's son to Princess Salama in Dubai in May of 1981. It cost a staggering $44 million.
  
• Some of the first Bachelor parties were seen in Sparta where ancient Spartan soldiers held Stag parties, who kissed their bachelor days goodbye with a raucous party.
  
• Towards the end of the fifteenth century, diamonds set in gold or silver became popular as betrothal rings among wealthy Venetians.
  
• A Finnish bride traditionally went door-to-door collecting gifts in a pillowcase, accompanied by an older married man who represented long marriage.
  
• An ancient representation of what we refer to today as the unity candle took place in South Africa, where the parents of both bride and groom traditionally carried fire from their hearths to light a new fire in the newlyweds' hearth.
  
• When she wed, Queen Victoria spared no expense on any detail, which included a cake that weighed an extraordinary 300 pounds.

Did You Know - Wedding Cake

The wedding cake has always played an important part in the wedding. Ancient Romans broke a cake over the bride's head to symbolize fertility or abundance. Many other cultures dropped wheat, flour or cake on the bride's head, and then ate the crumbs for good luck. The early British baked baskets of dry crackers, and every guest took one home after the wedding. In medieval times, guests brought small cakes and piled them on a table. The bride and groom then attempted to kiss over the cakes. Eventually, a young baker decided to put all the cakes together and cover them with frosting, thus the tiered wedding cake was born.

Did You Know - The First Kiss?

Awesome photography by Corinna Hoffman Photography

The first kiss a bride and groom share at the close of the ceremony has carried special significance through the centuries. Many cultures believed that the couple exchanged spirits with their breath and part of their souls were exchanged as well.

Did You Know - Why the left hand, third finger?

Did you ever wonder why we wear our wedding bands on our left hand, and why on the third finger ?

In ancient cultures it was believed that the third finger of the left hand, had a special vein called vena amoris, the vein of "love," that ran from the "ring finger" finger directly to the heart. Interesting!!!

Photo by Corinna Hoffman Photography

Did You Know - Something old, something new....

Everyone knows "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue", but few are aware of the last line - "and a silver sixpence in your shoe".

Something Old... This refers to the Bride's old life and her family. Though she is leaving them behind by wearing something old, she is showing that she still remembers them.

Something New... Wearing something new represents the hopeful success and good fortune in the Bride's new life.

Something Borrowed... Borrowing an item already worn by a happy Bride is believed to pass on the good luck.

Something Blue... Blue is a sign of purity (Japanese normally marry in blue). This follows the long tradition of Brides being pure on their wedding day and their commitment to their future husbands.

And A Silver Sixpence... Though possibly uncomfortable, this represents wealth - not just financial wealth, but spiritual wealth, happiness and good luck through married life.