西方婚礼习俗westernwedding.docVIP

Understanding of Western Wedding Customs 英语 113班 杨菲菲 2011041117 When we talk about the Western wedding we often easily think of the wedding dress, wedding veil, wedding ring and so on. The western custom of a bride wearing a white wedding dress came to symbolize purity in the Victorian era, not virginity. Within the “ white wedding” tradition, a white dress and veil is not considered appropriate in the second or subsequent wedding of a widow or divorcee. The specific conventions of western weddings, largely from a Protestant and Catholic viewpoint, are discussed at “white wedding”. Another Victorian tradition is for brides to wear or carry “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” during the service. It is considered good luck to do so. Often the bride attempts to have one item that meets all of these qualifications, such as a borrowed blue handkerchief which is “new to her” but loaned by her grandmother(thus making it old). Another addition to this custom is to wear a coin in one’s shoe to bring prosperity. A wedding is often followed by a wedding reception, which in some areas may be known as the “Wedding Breakfast”, at which an elaborate wedding cake is served. Western traditions include toasting the couple, the newlyweds having the first dance, and cutting the cake. The wedding Breakfast is one occasion where every member of the family who has had at least some role in the wedding is present. It is also important as the first time the newly married bride and bridegroom share their first meal together as a lawfully wedded couple. “Breakfast” means breaking bachelordom fast and making a new life. The whole wedding ceremony in the church is the most important link. First, with the wedding march rhythm, the bride rounds her fathers arm to walk towards the bridegroom. Then the father will put her daughter’s hand on the bridegroom’s hand . It is the climax that the pastor asked the bride and bridegroom whether they cou