I find it interesting to read about wedding traditions in various cultures. Some may seem to make sense – such as the practice that began in the south, where there are two wedding cakes. The second cake is called the “groom’s cake” whose design is more masculine. However, other practices such as trashing the wedding dress in a final photo shoot, a trend taking off in Las Vegas, seems a bit extreme.
Other traditions include: pinning money to the bride and groom’s clothes during their first dance; in Fiji, the groom’s presentation of a whale’s tooth to the father-in-law to demonstrate his seriousness; or graveside weddings in Russia.
But one tradition that caught my eye was the Welsh tradition of “love spoons.” It seems that the groom presents his bride with a meticulously carved wooden spoon, representing the fact that he will always feed and provide for her. Now I recognize that in this day of both individual’s working, with perhaps the woman making a greater income than her husband, this tradition may seem out dated. But I like it. I like it because it is a commitment of “always.”
I am not big on tradition for tradition’s sake. Far too many people grow attached to the tradition with no understanding of why they do it. But when it comes to marriage, traditions that indicate unending commitment, whether it be rings, vows, or even spoons – are significant.
I want to encourage you to do three things this week: 1) recall a tradition that you and your spouse have at some time observed, 2) recognize the reason behind the tradition, and 3) talk with your mate about it and why it is important.