Why Sugar Coated Almonds?
In many cultures, almonds symbolize wishes for a happy and fertile marriage. The candy-covered nuts were often in elaborately decorated small boxes and containers, looking for all the world like little gems. Why Dancing and Games? Ancient wedding dances were communal and symbolic of life giving and beginnings. The first dance of the bride and groom leading to their dancing with the guests was to give them strength from the community before they retired to the bedchamber. Why Decorate the Car? Traditionally, the guests escorted the couple to the bedchamber and tucked them into bed reminding them of their responsibility to the community to create a family. Old Shoes: In India, when a couple were honeymooning in a house, the bride’s red slippers were thrown across the peaked roof as a discreet reminder that visitors were not especially welcome. Our custom of throwing old shoes after the departing newlyweds stems from this ancient sign language. Old shoes tied to the honeymooner’s car were
