|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Symbols! Weddings are full of them. Exchanging rings. Exchanging roses. Tying hands with ribbons. Merging coloured sands. Lighting candles. Releasing doves or butterflies. Ringing bells and kissing chimney sweeps. But when it comes to real drama, no symbol can match smashing a glass or two.
Of course, you don't need a wedding if you feel the need to break something. Go to a Greek restaurant when they're having one of their celebratory dinners. At the end of the night you, and the other diners, will be invited by mine host and hostess to pick up a plate and smash it to smithereens. Even though, as I understand it, the china is specifically designed for this, being more fragile and a great deal less expensive than that on which you have your meal, nonetheless it's a highly therapeutic and exhilarating activity.
Films would have you believe that peeved wives are forever tossing their good china at erring husband. Perhaps in a screenwriter's dream they do. In real life a dozen sensible questions would present themselves in defense of the innocent crockery. Is this piece expensive? Is it part of a set? Can it be replaced? Will it make a mess? Who's the dummy who's going to have to clean it up?
By the time you start looking for some less attractive alternative, he's out the door, whistling down the stairs.
So the custom of that toast that a man makes to his bride, followed by smashing the glass in which the toast was made, is an intriguing one. Of course, it would be a tradition started by a man. He didn't have to tidy up afterward. But even why a man could be so wantonly destructive is hard to fathom.
There is an apocryphal story suggesting that it could have started with a Russian Prince entertaining a hundred or so of Englishmen at the betrothal of his son to a minor English Princess.
They had all been poured a cup of tea ? the Russians were almost as famous for their tea-drinking as their vodka-drinking ? when the Prince rose to propose a toast. His cup was almost at his lips when he started and began to roar at an elderly servant standing near by.
'What are you playing at, Katrina?' he howled like a bear in a trap. 'You call this tea?'
'Why are you making a spectacle of yourself, Mihal Mihailovich?' she returned unperturbed. Having known the man when he used to crawl around in his nappy, and sometimes without, she was in no way intimidated.
'Look at this tea, woman,' the cup was shaking in his hand, while his face was a volcano about to erupt. 'It's so full of tea leaves five flies could get bogged down and never be heard of again.'
'One fly, perhaps,' was the infuriating answer. 'Five never.'
'Why, why, you, you,' like a Marat Safin on the losing end of a tennis match he had to let loose with something, and his tea cup being closest at hand he hurled it against the fireplace.
The Englishmen who hadn't understood a word of this interchange, looked at each other in bewilderment and decided when in Rome. Dozens of the finest pieces of china which had managed to survive the Napoleonic wars, went flying at the fireplace. The room looked as if a bomb had gone off. And needless to say, the English Princess and her Russian Prince never did tie the knot.
Since that time men have taken the opportunity of their upcoming nuptial to smash their toasting glasses against any available fireplace.
Some would have you believe that this strange custom was started by a highly romantic Frenchman. However, while a Frenchman makes a romantic lover, he could never be accused of lacking common sense. Tossing glasses at a fireplace could never be attributed to anything but a temporary loss of sanity ? or temper.
Vlady is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant. She is also an author of "Complete Book of Australian Weddings" and "The Small Organisation Handbook". She is a member of Australian Civil Marriage Celebrants of Queensland and Celebrants Training Association. She is also a member of Australian Authors and Romance Writers of Australia association.
You can visit Vlady at her website http://www.vlady-celebrant.com
Wind Chimes and more... After choosing the design for your wedding invitations you can... Read More When two people - destined for each other, come together,... Read More Mens diamond rings are becoming more and more popular with... Read More The best and most valuable gifts are often not material... Read More It's safe to say that out of all the events... Read More One of the good things about Las Vegas Wedding Packages... Read More THE sunshine had come out to ensure the wedding of... Read More Just as destination weddings are fast growing in popularity, so... Read More Just because you don't have a lot of money doesn't... Read More Want to manage your wedding guests with style and ease?... Read More Many wives cheat on their husbands. This could be due... Read More In 2004' Rockland Maine celebrated its 150th anniversary, yet very... Read More In Las Vegas, once you get your marriage license you... Read More The following article can be copied but you must keep... Read More When people plan to marry, they expect to find in... Read More In times gone by it wasn't uncommon for young couples... Read More Beth and Tom were happily married for over 25 years... Read More You have purchased the latest bridal magazines from your local... Read More OK, so you have your heart set on the top... Read More Your success in marriage depends largely upon having sound and... Read More If you're planning your wedding day then you'll be all... Read More A little strategizing can go a long way when trying... Read More Wedding cake bakeries will have a cake portfolio to look... Read More Asian-themed weddings are on the rise, and at first this... Read More Bridal accessories are as necessary to complete the bridal look,... Read More
Windchimes
for great gifts!
Advice on Wedding Invitation Wording
Cultivating Spiritual Intimacy
Mens Diamond Rings ? The Ultimate Wedding Ring For The Modern Man
10 Valentines Day Tips for Spouses Who Want to Improve Their Marriage
Planning the Music for Your Wedding Ceremony
Las Vegas Wedding Packages
A Summer Wedding
What Is A Destination Wedding Dress?
Get The Bling Without The Sting - Affordable Engagement Rings
Wedding Planning: Benefits of Online Wedding RSVPs
Cheating Wives - Play with Your Lives!
Rockland: Maines BestKept Secret for A Wedding Destination
Las Vegas Wedding Chapels
Common Format Of A Wedding Reception
How To Fight Cultural Differences In Marriage And Stay Happy
A Wedding For All Seasons
How Optimism can Help ? or Hurt ? Your Marriage
Planning Your Wedding - How To Get Organized
Wedding Budget - What Can You Do To Shave It, Yet Still Have A Memorable Wedding?
Considering Success in Marriage
Discount Wedding Dresses ? Elegance and Style that Won?t Blow Your Budget!
Wedding Day Savings
Wedding Cake - Bakery Tips
Spotlight on the Asian-Themed Wedding
Bridal Accessories To Complete Your Wedding Look
For some couples, jetting off to their dream location would... Read More
Many wives cheat on their husbands. This could be due... Read More
The elegant and sophisticated look of glittering, gleaming gold. There's... Read More
A 2005 mother of bride dress tends to have a... Read More
When people plan to marry, they expect to find in... Read More
There are many great options to consider for letting your... Read More
The purpose of a wedding shower is to celebrate the... Read More
You invitation is a reflection on the type of wedding... Read More
When it comes to your decorating budget it really depends... Read More
Being apologetic doesn't come easily for me. Unfortunately, being inconsiderate... Read More
I say always register for gifts! You see, people tend... Read More
A 50th anniversary gift commemorates a milestone most married couples... Read More
Communication plays one of the most important roles in any... Read More
When your marriage is in trouble and you're fighting to... Read More
Hawaii honeymoon vacations could take you to a miracle trip... Read More
Planning a second wedding? Prevent favorite guests comparing your second... Read More
Being chosen as a maid of honor is a great... Read More
As the story goes, a Cherokee elder was sitting with... Read More
Wedding rings are a symbol of union. A union between... Read More
Marriage counseling is an investment of money, time, and energy... Read More
Preparing for a wedding, large or small, is overwhelming! A... Read More
All brides want that one photograph that perfectly captures the... Read More
There is an overwhelming demand for high quality, custom stationery... Read More
Hi If you are getting married or have a Bar... Read More
Choosing who should walk down the aisle with you is... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |