Date: Fri 05-Mar-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

brides-fillers-tradition

Full Text:

BRIDES: Misc Fillers

The morning of your wedding, your maid of honor should arrive early when you

are getting ready. One of her biggest responsibilities occurs on this day: to

assist with anything that comes up (which includes anticipating moments that

might throw you off schedule) and to calm nerves.

Think of all your guests' needs when planning your reception. Ask the staff at

the reception hall to have the chair removed from the table ahead of time for

guests who are wheelchair bound.

A bride of Greek heritage will follow a time-honored tradition by getting

ready the morning of her wedding at her parents' home. As she leaves through

the front door, she will purposely kick over a glass of water outside the

door. The spilling of the water symbolizes the end of her life as the daughter

in her parents' home, and the beginning of her new life as a wife in her new

home.

During traditional Jewish wedding ceremonies, just after the couple is

officially married, they will leave the huppah (bridal canopy) and spend 10-15

minutes alone in yichud, or seclusion. This quiet time allows the newly

married couple time alone before the celebrations, and offers private time to

let the importance of what has just happened sink in.