Something Old . . .

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

10 May 2006 01:03 PM

Our modern wedding ceremony is a combination of western traditions that are more similar from nation to nation than they are different. While most cultural and religious groups have their own variations, a wedding in Lebanon, Peru, Spain and the United States don't need a common language to understand what is happening.

The Tradition of Marriage

Weddings have very familiar traditions. For most of us, when you say the word wedding - the prevalent customs leap to mind. Customs like the white dress, the wedding cake, the attendants, the rings, the flowers and even the feast coupled with the toasts. We understand these traditions, these customs - these peculiarities of our people - whether we are American, Spanish, French or Egyptian.

It doesn't matter what the trappings are or the ornaments that you are utilizing, weddings are special because the bride and the groom are making an incredible commitment to their future while honoring their past. It is a time when the roots of the family tree are tended with love and kindness. Our weddings express who we are.

The Custom of Marriage

Understanding the custom of marriage requires only a look to the past. In that distant field of green you will see the rural town or village. You will see the courtship that occurs between the prospective bride and groom conducted under the firm eye of the family elders or matchmakers. You will see the consent requested and given. You will see the preparations take center stage as the families plan to entertain and feed their guests.

In this green pastoral past that we see through our rosy glasses gleaming, we know that many of these couples likely grew up in the local area together. Their families knew each other, even if only in passing, for years. Friends and family came from as far away as thirty miles, often times on foot, to attend the celebration.

Little Has Changed

They come from so far away because the wedding celebration would last for as long as two or three days. Family members could reconnect. It was a time to welcome the addition of a new branch to the tree while at the same time, renewed acquaintances might lead to another wedding down the road.

Little has changed since that pastoral time. Granted, our weddings don't usually have 3 day long festivities that follow them where the work life is suspended, but we do often travel to these weddings and we do enjoy seeing family members we might not otherwise have seen. In that - very little has changed.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger