Some Wedding Thoughts – Accessories

Historically, the first aisle runners were placed down as a protection for the bride and groom. It was believed that evil spirits lived under the church floor and that the aisle runner would protect the bride and groom as they walked down the aisle. Traditionally it symbolizes a “pathway of purity.”  In early days, when roads were not paved, guests could track in a lot of dirt and it helped to create a clean area for the bride to walk down.

There are two different times that the aisle runner can be rolled down the aisle. It can be done before any guests arrive, if the center aisle is blocked off so that no one can walk on it. The satin ribbon, or whatever is being used to block the way, is removed just before the bridal party begins its procession.

The second option is that designated individuals (usually ushers) roll it out as an announcement that the attendants are about to enter the area and the ceremony is about to begin.

The aisle runner is for the bride and the bridal party alone. Many times the center aisle in the church is blocked off, often by satin ribbon, to keep guests from walking down it. They are escorted from the outside of the two seating areas aside the aisle where the bridal party and bride will enter for the ceremony. Most times this aisle is decorated with ribbon and flowers along the pews, if the ceremony takes place in a church.

It is customary to roll the aisle runner from the altar of the church to where the bride and her party will enter. If the ceremony is outdoors and on grass, a fabric or plastic aisle runner alone may not be safe. A flat surface such as plywood is best laid down beneath the aisle runner.

The traditional white aisle runner is still used most often in weddings. Even in the most contemporary of weddings, some traditions continue to be followed.

Flower Girl

The flower girl brings beauty, innocence, and wishes for healthy children to the wedding ceremony. Throughout the changing eras of fashion and even roles of the members of the traditional wedding party, the vision of the flower girl has remained even more consistent to humankind than that of the bride herself. When brides were very young and stepping themselves from childhood to womanhood through the wedding ceremony, the flower girl leads her forward as a symbol of innocence to one day become a wife and mother. In classical Roman and Greek times, the flower girl would scatter select herbs and grains to beckon fertility in a new union. Sheaths of wheat were carried in the wedding procession by medieval European flower girls.

Flower Girl Baskets come in two versions to fit any wedding. The embroidered version features sheer trim and bows. The classic satin version features double faced ribbon and bows.

The origin of the unity candle is unclear, it is suggested that the ceremony is at least 30–40 years old. It is performed to symbolize the joining together of the two families, and their love for the bride and the groom, into one united family that loves the new husband and wife. It is also sometimes to symbolize the union of two individuals, becoming one in commitment. The popular explanation is that the taper candles are lit by representatives from each family to symbolize the love and allegiance that each family has for either the bride or the groom. The bride and groom use these two flames to light the unity candle, they bring the love of both families together in a united love of the new couple.

Unity Candle Set features a satin ribbon plus rose and pearl-trimmed bow. White and Pink sets include unity candle, tapers, holder, and silk flower rings. Ivory set includes unity candle, taper, and holder.

The Unity Candle, the Unity Sand Ceremony represents the unification of two distinct families, and the separate individuals of the bride and the groom, into a new, single, and whole. The Unity Sands Ceremony is a relatively new concept, post-dating other similarly newer wedding customs and traditions, largely due to the recent high availability of colored sands. The Unity Sands are used to symbolize an indivisible union because once merged, the separately colored grains of sand can never be separated.

Using two separate vases of differently colored sands, the bride and the groom pour the sands into a single container while they recite special statements or vows. As the distinctly colored sands merge, they form a new color. The Unity Vase is often kept as a memento of the wedding ceremony and kept on display in the couple’s home.

Sand Ceremony Vase Set With one large vase and three smaller vases, this curvy set is a perfect way to include children from a previous marriage in your ceremony. Simply add sand to the smaller vases and give to each designated party. Just as the sand from the smaller vases is combined with the sand in the larger vase, never to be separated again…so shall your love be! Large vase can be engraved with up to two lines of personalization. Sand not included.

Toppers

A wedding cake topper is a small model that sits on top of the wedding cake, normally a representation of the couple in formal wedding attire.

Traditional wedding cake toppers depict the couple in formal attire and are often the only part of the cake which can be kept over the years, apart from photographs of it. While traditionally the bride and groom are in formal wear today there are many more designs available. There are specific ones for the style and theme of the wedding; there are comical wedding cake toppers or ones depending on the couple’s hobbies. In recent times, wedding cake toppers have reflected the growing diversity in marriages. Multi-ethnic wedding toppers are now available, along with same-sex wedding toppers as well.

Castle Cake Topper Put the finishing touch on your wedding cake with this tall, elegant, castle cake topper. This unique wedding cake topper has lovely gold trim, accented with white lace and beautiful ribbons.

Favor ideas come and go and you want to make sure that you and your spouse will have plenty of mementos to remember your special day. Other than some great pictures, a video, you may need or want something that will involve your guests too.