|
Something Blue has several connotations, including the wearing of a blue ribbon to signify modesty, fidelity and purity, a biblical custom from ancient Israel, shared by Pagan Roman women as they bordered their gowns with blue. At the same time, Christians associate blue with the purity of the Virgin Mary. This has evolved into the custom of a blue garter being worn by the bride (2 garters in all; one for the stammering, blushing teenager to fumblingly place on the champagne-fueled lucky gal who caught said flung garter ((an ancient British custom)), while the other garter is saved by the bride as one of the many keepsakes, to be hung on the groom's rearview mirror.) In more recent times, especially since the late 18th century and Queen Victoria's reign, the color blue has largely been supplanted by the color white, which is often more associated with purity. However, other cultures still favor different colors: red in China, green in Norway and even black velvet in Iceland! Blue may also symbolize the speech of a fellow who has paid for the band. Wedding bands, though generally well paid, are among the oddest musical acts; they must be able to play music which will entertain people from 3 to 93, as well as learn the many wedding faves ("Daddy's Little Girl," Proud Mary," "Old Time Rock 'n Roll," etc.) and also have to accommodate bibulous Best Men who insist on taking a turn at the microphone to sing "Danny Boy" or "Smoke on the Water." It is a tough gig, so one can well understand the frequent breaks, the casual attitude and the endless attempts to hook up with the bridesmaids. Or perhaps the blue is their powder-blue rented tuxes. Some favor the DJ for a wedding, but this too can be tricky as it irritates those musicians thus placed out of work and risks disaster as various glassy-eyed factions in the crowd loudly insist on their sort of music, "not that other crap." Perhaps a combination of the two is best to satisfy everyone. In addition to hearing the music, the reception is also where one finds the cake, an object filled with meaning and history. Like so much else, the modern cake is a vestige from Roman times, modified throughout the ensuing years. Early on, at the end of the wedding ceremony, a thin breadloaf was broken over the bride's head (the Scots have a similar tradition, breaking a currant bun over the new bride's head upon entering her new home!). Though said to promote fertility, there may be a vestige of the Catholic and Jewish sacred bread traditions. It was not until the Middle Ages, however, that cakes began to resemble the behemoths they became. This came about initially as a chance result of the stacking of many smaller gift cakes brought by guests. It became a tradition for the newly married couple to kiss over the stacks, obviously more of a challenge as the cakes piled up. An enterprising but sadly forgotten French baker seized on the idea of frosting the whole pile and charging dearly for it. An old European tradition coming back into vogue is known as "the groom's cake," originally a dark fruitcake (!) served at the rehearsal dinner, now generally an exotically fashioned spice or chocolate cake served after the "official" cake has been cut. Though we didn't touch on them, many modern weddings feature, in addition to all the above, many other details, including photographers and limousines, the sites for the wedding and reception, custom invitations, all the decorations, the tuxes, the shoes, the honeymoon cruise. Berkshire County is fortunate to have many fine, reputable and experienced companies which can provide these and the myriad other services required at a wedding. The Plexus of the Berkshire Web is a great way to look to find what you need.
|
