Herbal Weddings..."something old, something new

...something borrowed, something blue, a silver sixpence in her shoe."

This well-known rhyme is only one of many customs and traditions associated with the marriage ceremony. It originates from an old English superstition that required the bride to carry each of these objects with her as she walked down the aisle. Something old symbolized the bride's past and hope for a long marriage. Something new, the beginning of the bride and grooms new life together as husband and wife, something borrowed; "borrowing" the happiness of an existing marriage and using it to start happiness and joy in the couples new marriage. The bride carrying something blue symbolized loyalty and fidelity in the marriage; and a silver sixpence in her shoe symbolized good luck.

Today's version of the wedding cake may have evolved from the early Roman tradition of breaking bread over the bride's head right after the ceremony. The wheat in the bread symbolized fertility and the crumbs were considered good luck. I'm sure today's bride is glad this tradition is limited to the cake that is to be eaten and shared with the groom and guests.

Attended a bridal shower lately? Legend has it that this custom was past down through the ages when a young Dutch girl married a poor miller. The young man had given all of his belongings to the poor and did not have the resources to "set up" house for his bride. Angry at the young miller, the bride's father took away her dowry. Feeling sorry for the young couple, the community "showered" the bride with gifts to start her household.

While flowers have played a role in weddings for centuries, and we continue to carry on this tradition today; herbs have not been used as much in today's modern wedding. The symbolic use of herbs and the herbal theme wedding appears to be undergoing a revival. Every bride wishes for a fairytale wedding, and wants hers to be the one everyone remembers. When you plan a wedding to incorporate herbs, you will create a lifetime of memories for you and your guests.

There are scores of herbs that can be chosen by the bride and groom to express their love for each other, but there are five herbs that have the longest documented history in wedding ceremonies. Some date as far back as 2,000 years.

Rosemary: "that's for remembrance" In ancient Greece brides entwined rosemary with myrtle and hawthorne to style their bridal crowns.

Rue: "to protect one from evil" According to some eastern European customs, the bride's mother would present her daughter with a pot of rue she had taken from her own garden, for the daughter to start hers.

Myrtle: represents true love. Myrtle was the herb of the goddess of love, Venus. She used this herb's blossoms to fashion crowns and garlands for her followers to wear.

Ivy: for fidelity. The Roman bride and groom were given a bough of these heart shaped leaves and trailing stems of ivy during the wedding ceremony.

Marjoram: the herb of joy, happiness and marital bliss. Marjoram was woven into the crowns and nosegays of the bride and her attendents by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Other herbs such as angelica (for protection), sweet basil (for good wishes), sage (domestic virtue), thyme (courage and strength), lavender (love) and violets (for faithfulness), can be used throughout the ceremony. You can pick just one for your theme, or choose a variety to use.

In her book, "The Bride's Herbal", the late Bertha Reppert wrote "herbs can and indeed should, be used in every part of the happy preparation for the wedding." Set the stage for your herbal wedding and give your guest a glimpse of what is to come, starting with your invitations. About 2 weeks prior to mailing, scent your bridal shower invitations, and wedding announcements with essential oils. Place a cotton ball with several drops of your favorite essential oil (lavender, vanilla, or ylang ylang are some of my favorites). Don't get the cotton ball in direct contact with the paper, just place it in the corner of a box larger than the invitations, and close. The wonderful aroma will be an introduction to your "scentsational" wedding day.

Herbs can be incorporated into the food, drink, and decorations at showers, rehearsal dinners, and the wedding ceremony. There are many great books available with herbal recipes for main dishes, dips, cakes, punches and teas to help plan your ceremony. For the wedding, use herbs liberally in the bride's bouquet, the attendant's flowers, and the groom and his attendant's boutonnieres. These can also be scented with essential oils (the ribbons), or by placing cotton balls with a few drops of the oil in the flowers. During the reception, fill the room with the aroma of diffusing oil and bouquets or pots of fresh herbs. Use candles created with herbs and essential oils. Wreaths of herbs can surround bowls and platters, and herbal potpourri can be placed around the room. For the guest, have available herbal wedding rice or an herbal toss (potpourri). These can be placed loose in bowls, or in bags and cones. A take home "Herbs and Their Meaning" will help your guest remember the symbolic use of the herbs.

Whether you decide to plan an herb theme wedding, or just incorporate one or a few herbs into your ceremony, they will make your special day truly memorable.

This article was written by the Gardenchick and published in The Essential Herbal magazine July/August 2005 - www.essentialherbal.com

Sources:
The Bride's Herbal by Bertha Reppert
Planning Your Herbal Wedding by Betsy Williams
An Aromatic Wedding by Jeanne Rose and Susan Grae (article)