The perfect way to announce your special day
25/01/2008
From cakes to bouquets, from gowns to feasts – weddings have always been bedecked with the icons of celebration. For the ancient Greeks and Romans, the bouquet was a symbol that combined the motifs of both fertility and religion.
Our Greco-Roman cousins assembled the wedding bouquet from a pungent mix of garlic and herbs or grains, garlic to ward off evil spirits, and herbs to ensure a fruitful union.
The wedding cake was always played a central role in ancient nuptials. The custom was that guests brought small cakes and piled them high on a table – the task of the bride and groom was to attempt to kiss each other over the high pile. Eventually, a medieval baker decided to put all the cakes together and cover them with frosting, thus the piles of little cakes became the tiered wedding cake seen at weddings today.
As for the glamorous gown – well, through the 18th century, most brides simply wore their Sunday best to the altar. Red was a favourite during the Middle Ages in Europe. The custom of throwing rice, originated with the ancient Hindus and Chinese. In these cultures, rice is the symbol of fruitfulness and prosperity. Tossing it after the ceremony was believed to bestow fertility upon the bride and groom. The event of marriage itself is well endowed with myth, symbolism and history – and as long as there are men and women who express their love and commitment to each other in a wedding ceremony, no doubt these great traditions will continue.
On 16th January 2008 An Post issued a new Wedding Stamp. The stamp is available in a self-adhesive booklet of 10 stamps (€5.50) and also as a self-adhesive pair (€1.10) for collectors. The wedding stamp shows the bride and groom in a loving embrace on their wedding day and was designed by Amanda Brady with photography by Harry Weir.
Order now from www.irishstamps.ie; the Philatelic Shop, GPO, Dublin 1 or by contacting the Philatelic Bureau, GPO, Dublin 1 (Telephone: 01 705 7400).
Please see our Press Release for this year's Wedding stamps
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