Wedding Planning|Wedding Planning & Wedding Advice

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Today more older brides walk down the aisle than ever before. There are many factors calling for the older brides saying their “I do.” We now live much longer lives – and are marrying later than brides of earlier years. Higher education is more widely available – and many delay marriage until they complete degrees. Additionally there are many second or third marriages taking places. These marriages most often happen when a bride is just a bit older and sometimes wiser.

It used to be there were somewhat strict etiquette and social rules that older brides were expected to follow. An older bride was “permitted” to get married – but she was to do so with little muss and fuss. Most older brides did not wear a fancy veil or a long white dress. A dressy light colored dress was often selected for their wedding. Even the celebration was somewhat toned down. It was expected that the older bride would want a more er, graceful celebration. But do today’s older brides have rules to follow?

The answer is yes and no. In every family, society and culture there may be certain expectations of a bride. No matter your age, you may be expected to do specific things or wear something because you are a bride. Quite often the great difference with the older bride is that she has stronger opinions about what she will and won’t do. Very often the younger bride has the wedding that is determined and approved of by her parents. The older bride has the wedding that is approved of by herself and the groom.

The older bride in most cases will pay for her own wedding or pay for it with help from the groom. This can have a great deal to do with the older bride having stronger opinions about what she does and does not want – it is after all her money and her choice to spend it on as she wishes. The bride’s parents when paying for a wedding may put their foot down subtlety and “suggest” things in a way that lets her know they are expected. An older bride is more likely to make her own choices.

Some may frown on the older bride who marries all in white, wearing a sparkly tiara and big flowing veil. But the older bride typically marries in what she chooses. If she desires to marry in the “princess” fantasy then this is what she will select. If the bride prefers another style for her wedding she will choose that instead.

A wedding may be a family affair but it is also traditionally the bride’s day. No one knows this more than the older bride. Your wedding is a day you’ll remember for the rest of the day with your beloved. You deserve to spend it as you choose, wearing what you like and enjoying the things you like the most. You could say that older brides make their own rules – we do!

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Today we start a new continuing feature here at weddingsetups.com: a look at wedding traditions from around the world. You can use these articles to honor your family’s heritage during your wedding ceremony, wherever it takes place. Or, you can celebrate the bride or groom’s culture during a pre-wedding party (an article with ideas for these parties will follow).

German Wedding Traditions

Festive Felony

In the smaller villages, the bride may be ‘kidnapped’. The groom looks for her in the local pubs, often picking up the tab for all of the customers or inviting them along in the search.

Housewrecker

There is a house party before the wedding that ends with all of the dishes getting smashed for good luck. The “lucky” bride and groom have to clean up the mess.

German Wedding Food

The bride and groom snack on bread when they first arrive at their home after the wedding, to symbolize that they will never go hungry.

Wedding Cake

The traditional wedding cake is Baumkuchen, which is often made in stacked rings but can also come in the shape of a rectangular cake or small squares. The one below is from konditorei-werner.de, warning: if you visit this site it will make you want to fly to Germany for some dessert!

German Wedding Attire

Tasty Accessories

Traditionally, the bride carries bread and salt to symbolize a good harvest and the groom carries grain, which is a symbol for good luck and health. This is also an aspect of traditional Polish Weddings, to read all about them please visit polishwedding.blogspot.com – a very useful and informative source. Photo: Polishwedding.blogspot.com.

Yes, but how far can you throw it?

In Germany the bride passes her veil on to the next woman to be married, rather than throwing the bouquet.

German Wedding Decorations

Sharing a Cup

Another tradition is for the bride and groom to drink from a special cup that lets them both drink at the same time. This is based on the “Legend of the Maiden Bridal Cup” and you can buy one of the beautiful cups at mayhemltd.com.This cup would also make a thoughful gift to the bride from the groom. The cup, and it’s beautiful story could also be used to propose!

Flower Horse Power

In Germany, real flowers are used to decorate the cars, rather than the ribbons, bows, and plastic flowers often used in North America.

Important German Words

Wedding: Hochzeit

Bride: Braut

Groom: Brautigam

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