Wedding: An aesthetical celebration among the British

A wedding is something which people cherish for their lifetime. There are many rituals and traditions out there to make weddings more memorable and special. More than rituals and traditions, aesthetics has topped the list which is made for wedding preparations. Aesthetics in weddings has become a great sensation in this modern world.

Have you ever dreamt about having an aesthetic wedding in a church, exchanging your vows, and having a slow dance with your significant other? And that's how dreamy and ethereal a British wedding is. The UK is well known for its rich traditions and customs. So do their weddings. First, it was Queen Victoria and now it is Prince Henry and Meghan Markel. The Grand wedding ceremony is not only meant for the royal family but the whole British have their own tradition and customs which they follow. So British culture has more in stock for an ethereal wedding from one knee proposal to carrying the bride over the threshold, there are many practices that have deep meaning in them. Follow the rest of the article to know more in-depth about the customs they follow with their unique meaning.

Firstly, one knee proposal. It is romanticized by almost everyone all over the world and many romance genre movies have presented this kind of proposal which gives butterflies inside our stomachs. This way of the proposal was first followed by Britain. They did not have a particular custom or origin but researchers say that this proposal was first practiced by the people in the Middle East 3000 years ago. It is said that kneeling in front of someone symbolizes respect, loyalty, and obedience and it is usually done to people who are in power like kings and queens. This evolved through the years and became one of the traditions in British culture where men kneel down and open the box of the engagement ring asking to marry them. This ring is worn till they choose their wedding rings.

Secondly, hen night. Hen night or hen party is commonly known as a bachelorette party. This is also considered to be a common one for the current generation people throughout the people. But it originated from the British. Researches prove that originally the term “Hen part” was used in the British press in 1881 to report the party hosted by Queen Victoria for her daughter Princess Alice. The party was organized for the ladies from the noble families. Later this got evolved into a stag party where young people come together to celebrate and drink together. This was quite common among the men of the olden times. But in modern times this became a bachelor's party where the bride gathers her friends and celebrates the evening before she is married.

Then coming to the Giving away the bride. It is a ceremony where fathers give away their daughters to the man they are going to marry. This was quite an old tradition where the parents of the bride make sure that the groom was well-settled and wanted their daughters to have a happy life. If they are not happy or any conflict arises they will take back their daughters. This progressed through the years and it was also practiced by Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria gave Prince Albert a dowry with which he started a business. And now it doesn’t happen in terms of wealth or money but transformed into a pretty emotional ceremony where the bride's father walks here through the aisle and gives his daughter's hands to the groom before they exchange their vows.

Next, we have the cake-cutting celebration. In the UK it is very common where newly married couples cut a grand cake after their wedding ceremony. It is a tradition where the father of the bride or groom cuts the first piece of cake and off it to the guests of the party. They also have little speech which would be words of wisdom for the married couple. They help to lighten up the mood of the people and put a smile on them. It also stands as an appreciation for inviting the new member of the family both from the bride and groom’s side. After the speech, it is common for the couple to share a kiss and share the cake with the guests. It is followed by raising a wedding toast which is also one of the traditions practiced in the UK where the family and friends raise their toast to the couple and have a celebration.

The first dance is a very traditional practice that is exercised in almost every wedding ceremony. It first originated in the Victorian era. It is considered to be one of the most romantic moments at the wedding party. The guests gather around the couple and the couple has a slow dance in the center. The song which they will be dancing to was mostly chosen by the bride. This is considered an official announcement to the public that they are together from the very moment. However, it is not only the couple who dances but guests are also invited. The couple dances for a little while and their family and friends are also invited to the floor to join the couple for a slow dance.

Lastly, we have the carrying the bride over the threshold. The British started to exercise this in the 1900s. The groom carries his bride through the threshold of their new house after the wedding ceremony is done. It is considered that this was exercised to protect the bride from tripping from her dress. The groom also assures her through this that he will protect her at all costs. It is also a symbolic gesture that he is strong enough for her and to be with her through all the moments in her life. They view this as a key moment for their union and create happy memories with each other.

Now, these are beautiful moments and traditions which are practiced at British weddings. They are not just outward symbols of practices or just aesthetics. But they hold a deep meaning in each tradition they practice and follow. These can also be an inspiration or ideas to improvise an aesthetic and a romantic wedding in a typical British culture.

Reference:

Bergstrom, Jo. “British Wedding Traditions Explained.” The Diamond Store, 9 Aug. 2016, news.thediamondstore.co.uk/bridal/inspiration/why-wedding-traditions-superstitions-britain-white-dress-rice-honeymoon-bouquet-toss.

Weddings, Arches Beach. “Arches Beach Weddings.” Arches Beach Weddings, www.archesbeachweddings.com.

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20/UCEA/149 - Michelle Maria