Felice Giorno Del Matrimonio!

After learning that Rob's grandmother was Italian, we decided to check into Italian wedding traditions to see if there were any you may want to incorporate into your celebration.

First off, it is customary for the bride to wear something green during the rehearsal dinner - an emerald piece of jewelry or green clothing - to symbolize good luck. As Ayla loves emeralds, this should work.

Not only is the groom not allowed to see the bride prior to the wedding, but the bride - in some areas of Italy - isn't even allowed to see herself before the wedding.Yeah, knowing Ayla, that ain't happening.

A ribbon is placed on the church doorway to symbolize a wedding is taking place. The groom carries a piece of iron (toc ferro) to ward off evil spirits. Make that a cast iron skillet and you can just whack them away.

Bridesmaids were actually supposed to be married women as unmarried women weren't allowed at Italian weddings in the ancient days.

Pasta is the traditional reception meal of choice, of course.

A toast is made to the happy couple saying “Per Cent’anni” which means “for 100 years" signifying how long you want the marriage to last. Others will break a glass or vase and count the number of pieces, which symbolize the number of blissful years you will have together. Should you do this, we suggest smashing it into thousands of tiny pieces.
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At the reception, the bride carries around a satin bag to collect money in envelopes from guests to help pay for the wedding. She also can collect money for a dance - like the dollar dance we've talked about previously.

At the reception, guests will dance "La Tarantella" or “the tarantula." The tarantula was named for a wolf spider from the Taranto region of Italy. The dance sounds frightening, but actually it's just a dance were everyone - sometimes holding tamborines - encircles the bride and groom. They speed up and changed directions depending on the beat of this spider song. If you were bit by a spider, running around supposedly sweat out the venom. At weddings, however, it's about wishing the couple good luck.

Confetti - actually almonds covered in sugar - was originally thrown at the bride and groom, but now is given as favors to the reception guests. The number of almonds tied up in tulle and given to guests must be odd, not even.

While some traditions will have cans dangling from the getaway car, the Italians like to decorate the front or grill of the car with flowers to symbolize "la dolce vita" or the sweet life ahead.

So there you go! Pick and choose. But it would sure be funny - and even appropriate - to see Rob carrying an iron skillet at the ceremony. Felice giorno del matrimonio! (Happy Wedding Day!)

Discussion: Are there any Italian traditions you would like to incorporate into your wedding? Which are a definite "no?"

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the sweet life ahead for our engaged couples. We pray, Lord, for blessings and joy on their wedding days! In Christ, Amen.

Brewing Bonbonnieres

You just recently bought tiny burlap bags for your favors. Knowing how much you both love coffee, you have decided to make your wedding favors bags of coffee beans with the note "Love is brewing." I love that these are so personal to you both.

Wedding favors date back to at least the 16th century, when guests were sent home with something representative of the couples love, like a knot of rope ... a love knot. Later, guests believed weddings were lucky, so to receive a gift from the wedding couple was seen as passing on the luck. Guests were given fives pieces of candy or almonds to represent health, fertility, wealth, a long life and happiness. The candies or almonds (or even a combination of the two: almonds dipped in a sugary candy coating) were placed in tiny boxes were called "bonbonnieres (think "box of bonbons" ... yum). Some were pretty fancy, made of precious metals, porcelain or crystal and covered in gemstones.

Today wedding favors are more about thank yous to guests for attending the wedding and typically reflect the personalities of the bride and groom. I honestly cannot remember what our wedding favors were. When I asked your Daddy if he remembered what ours were he said, "What are wedding favors?" I think we may have given out the candy coated almonds. Gonna have to look that up to see if I can find out. Were we to give out something today, I would imagine it would have something to do with writing or our love of the Father. I love that flavors are so personal now.

There is no doubt your love is brewing. While you both are passionately in love now, let us tell you, that your love will only grow and grow. The love we have for each other is probably 100 times what it was when we first professed it 31+ years ago. It is the core of who we are. Your love, like coffee, will energize you, comfort you, fill your life with flavor, be warm and toasty (and even have its iced moments), and percolate throughout the years to the perfect cup. Love is brewing indeed.

Discussion: do remember any wedding or party favors you have received? What are some that have
 meant something to you?

Prayer: Father, we thank you in advance for the sweet souls who will come to Rob and Ayla's wedding. We pray in advance for their safe journey to Florida and that they will enjoy witnessing their vows and celebrating. We also pray they will not only enjoy brewing their cup of coffee from the favors but also delight in this young couple's love. We love you, Father. In Jesus, Amen.