| Want to make your wedding extra special? | | | | symbol.FinlandBrides of old in Finland got to wear a |
| Consider choosing elements from traditional | | | | crown of gold, which was featured in their "Dance |
| wedding ceremonies around the world!Here are | | | | of the Crowns." The crown, a gold-colored wreath |
| some of the ways lovers come together for a | | | | wrapped prettily around the bride's head, was |
| lifetime in different cultures. You may find some | | | | used to crown another maiden during the |
| unique ideas to personalize your own day of | | | | dance.IrelandInstead of the usual white wedding |
| days.AfricaDid you know that in some | | | | cake, Irish wedding receptions feature a brandy |
| modern-day African tribes, the wrists of the bride | | | | or bourbon soaked fruit cake, heavy on the |
| and groom are still bound with braided grass ties | | | | spice!ItalyIn Italy, the wedding guests toss what |
| to symbolize their union?SpainThe brides of early | | | | they call "confetti," which is not colored paper, but |
| Spain got to wear what may be the most | | | | almonds sprinkled with sugar. You will almost |
| beautiful of all wedding headdresses: Delicate lace | | | | surely find these almonds gathered into pretty |
| mantillas over the hair with orange blossoms | | | | nets, tied with a bow and given out as |
| judiciously tucked in!ChinaThe color of love in China | | | | thank-you's to wedding guests.PolandThis country |
| is red, and the bridal gown was a brilliant red until | | | | originated what's known as "the money dance," a |
| just recently in that country. Party favors, | | | | popular custom which has now made its way into |
| flowers, candles and so on were also typically a | | | | many other culture's wedding parties. The guests |
| bright and glowing scarlet.RussiaParty favors to | | | | dance with the couple and pin money to their |
| express appreciation to the wedding guests | | | | clothes to give them a little start in their new |
| include tiny pictures, small candies or other | | | | life.GermanyA lovely idea for using candles comes |
| exquisite little items.MexicoSeveral nice traditions | | | | to us from Germany. The custom is for the |
| still survive in old Mexican wedding ceremonies. | | | | wedding couple to both hold decorated candles, |
| One custom encircles the bride and groom in a | | | | which are then lit when the ceremony |
| loose lasso made of some pretty, soft cord | | | | concludes.Happy wedding; blessed life! |
| twisted into a figure eight or infinity | | | | |