THE WHITE
WEDDING DRESS
Originally the bride would have worn her best dress.
Since Victorian times it has become the fashion to wear white, this beingthe colour that would guard against evil spirits.
Veils, tiaras and circlets have been worn by brides sincethe middle ages.
THE CEREMONY
You must be over 18 or be 16 with parental permission. Your wedding must take place between 8am and 6pm.
Banns need reading at the church, in your Parish, on 3 seperate Sundays in the 3 months prio to your wedding date. Civil cermonies require that you live in the area for at least 7 before giving notice. Your Marriage Notice is then displayed for 21 days prior to your wedding.
Two witnesses over 18 years of age must be present at your wedding.
THE RECEPTION
Sit down meal or buffet style - both need a "Receiving Line", "Top Table"and Speeches.
Receiving Line Order:
Brides parents, grooms parents. Bride and Groom. Best Man, Head Bridesmaid.
Table Seating: Head bridesmaid, grooms father, brides mother, the groom, the bride, the brides father,
the grooms mother and the best man.
Speeches Order:
Brides father, groom, best man.
GUESTS
PRESENTS
and MONEY
Invite immediate family, parents of the best man and bridesmaids, the person who performed the ceremony and their partner. Then friends and work colleagues.
If celebrations are going to last all day, invite guests to either the wedding meal, evening party or both. Book a nanny if you have a lot of children attending.
Wedding Present Lists and Registry details should be available at least 3 months prior to your wedding.
Giving money is acceptable, avoid gift vouchers.
THE HONEYMOON
After the wedding the newlyweds, for a month, would drink mead (a drink made from honey) to aid fertility, hence honey for the drink and moon for the timescale.
Many couples stay in a local hotel for their first night as a married couple and depart on their "honeymoon" the following day.
The honeymoon does not have to be a month, but it is traditionally in a location choosen by the groom, who purchases the vacation as a suprise for his wife.
SECOND
TIME AROUND
When getting married again
it is very important to let your former partner and all children know.
Not only is it curteous, it is essential to avoid repercussions and regrets at a later date
If you like you can have a church blessing arranged for a later date.
