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The Welsh Wedding Traditions are quite attractive and fascinating. Much before the wedding day, the practice of courtship is observed. This involves the engraving of a wooden spoon. The prospective suitor who wishes to marry a girl of his choice is required to chip at different shapes and sizes of wooden spoons. He can carve out a spoon giving it a heart shape or a bell shape or even a key shape and gift it to that girl. This is one of the interesting parts of Welsh Wedding Traditions indicating the man’s willingness to get engaged with that particular girl.
The tradition of love spoons has its origin in ancient times. In the olden era, the Welsh men used to spend most of their time at sea. It was then that they carved out wooden spoons of various shapes in the memory of their beloved on the shore.
A very strange and unusual custom in Welsh Wedding is the abducting of the bride by her own family. This is done before the wedding day. If anyone from the groom’s family is successful in rescuing her, he or she is asked to tie the nuptial knot within just one year.
In the Wedding Traditions of Wales, the bride is supposed to carry a bouquet. This special bridal bouquet is quite different from the ordinary ones. It is made of the green colored leaves commonly known as myrtle. The maid of honor is given a cutting of myrtle by the bride. This signifies love in life. It is said that if that maid of honor plants that myrtle and if it blossoms, she is surely going to get wedded soon. The bride may also put on a pin in her wedding attire which she is required to remove and throw off across her shoulder. This is regarded as a sign for good fortune.
The Welsh Wedding may also involve the use of symbols such as scallions, red dragons and daffodils. Such symbols refer to prosperity and happiness. The age-old beliefs regarding marriage in Wales include listening to the birdsongs on the morning of the final wedding day. It is considered fortunate to put the birth stone in the engagement ring. The last day of the previous year is a perfect day preferred for weddings. Another common belief is that if a happily-wedded lady puts the wedding veil on the bride, it brings in good luck. A very general superstition in Welsh wedding is that if the wedding outfit is by chance torn on the wedding day itself, bright fortune is awaiting the couples.
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