THE CUSTOM OF GIFTS FOR THE ATTENDANTS ... Both the Bride and Groom give their attendants some lasting memento of the wedding. This gift is often in gold, silver, or crystal.

THE TRADITION OF THE GARTER ... In Old England attendants tossed the stockings of the newlyweds, with the catchers being the next to wed. Today's tradition says the man who catches the garter will be the next to wed, or, alternatively, have good luck his whole life.

THE TRADITION OF THE CAKE SOUVENIR ... It is a custom to provide tiny cake boxes or bags, in which the guests may take home a piece of wedding cake. Tradition says that placing it beneath the pillow will cause one to dream of the person he or she will wed.

THE CUSTOM OF THE GUEST BOOK ... The guest book, signed by all the guests at the reception, makes a wonderful and sentimental souvenir of the wedding day. It's nice to ask a special person to preside over it.

THE TRADITION OF SERVING ALMONDS ... Serving sugared or candy-coated almonds at weddings is a tradition around the world. In many older cultures, almonds are considered symbolic of wishes for a happy and fertile marriage.

THE TRADITION OF THROWING THE BOUQUET ... In past ages, a Bride's adornments were believed to have mystical value, so everyone tried to grab a piece of her clothing. In good-natured "self-defense", Brides began throwing their flowers away from themselves, giving the crowd something to fight over, and she could escape intact. Today the unmarried friend who catches the bouquet catches "luck" in romance.

THE ORIGIN OF THE WORD "BRIDAL" ... In many older cultures the actual marriage consisted of the sharing of food and wine, or other alcoholic drinks, made by the Bride and Groom. At one time the wedding drink was known as "brideale". This tradition continues symbolically when the Bride and Groom cut the wedding cake and eat the first piece.

THE TRADITION OF PROTECTING THE BRIDE FROM "EVIL SPIRITS" ... Years ago it was believed that demons lived below the ground. The aisle runner protected the Bride from the demons. They were also believed to lurk around doorways, so the Groom would carry the Bride across the threshold of her new home, thus foiling the evil spirits.

THE CUSTOM OF THROWING RICE AT THE NEWLYWEDS ... For many years, and especially in this country, rice has been thrown over the couple to shower them with fertility. In other countries, however, other things thrown over the couple to offer them the same wish include raisins, figs, wheat, and dates.

THE CUSTOM OF THE TOAST ... According to superstition in the old days, the devil hated the sound of a bell. When the toast is raised for the Bride and Groom, glasses are clinked together so the bell-like sound will keep the devil away.

THE TRADITION OF THE WEDDING KISS ... In the Roman Empire, the kiss was the actual wedding, in a ceremony that consisted of simply the exchange of rings and a kiss.

THE CUSTOM OF THE DOWRY OR TROUSSEAU ... This would enable the Bride to survive if she had to live without her husband, for some reason.

THE TRADITION OF WEARING THE WEDDING RING ON THE THIRD FINGER OF THE LEFT HAND ... The ancient Egyptians believed a vein in that finger ran directly to the heart. They named it the "vena amoris", the "vein of love".

A TRADITION NO LONGER OBSERVED, THANK GOODNESS ... In the Roman Empire, guests would break the wedding cake over the head of the Bride, then gather up the crumbs for good luck.

ONE ORIGIN OF THE HONEYMOON ... In the (very) old days, a man would kidnap his chosen Bride, than run off to marry her. Wisely, they would delay coming back home to give the Bride's parents a chance to cool off.

THE TRADITION OF SAVING THE TOP OF THE WEDDING CAKE ... The mother of the Bride or Groom takes the top of the wedding cake home and freezes it. Upon returning from the honeymoon, it is given to the Bride and Groom to put in their freezer. They thaw it out and eat it a year later to celebrate their first anniversary.