Wedding object

Wedding

A wedding is a ceremony where two or more people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of marriage vows by a couple, presentation of a gift (offering, rings, symbolic item, flowers, money, dress), and a public proclamation of marriage by an authority figure or celebrant. Special wedding garments are often worn, and the ceremony is sometimes followed by a wedding reception. Music, poetry, prayers, or readings from religious texts or literature are also commonly incorporated into the ceremony, as well as superstitious customs originating in Ancient Rome.

Wedding objects

Place card

Wikipedia article: Place card

A place card is a piece of paper indicating what table a guest at an event, such as a wedding or banquet, is assigned to sit. Place cards generally have the guest's name and table number, and frequently have some design as well to add style.

Place cards also serve the function of identification of those who may otherwise be unknown to one another. Once taken by the respective guests, they are placed at the assigned seat, and once there, this enables others to identify the person sitting in that seat by name.

At some weddings, place cards can double as the menu for the food that is served at the wedding.

Chuppah

Wikipedia article: Chuppah

A chuppah (Hebrew: chuppot, literally, "canopy" or "covering"), also huppah, chupah, or chuppa, is a canopy under which a Jewish couple stand during their wedding ceremony. It consists of a cloth or sheet, sometimes a tallit, stretched or supported over four poles, or sometimes manually held up by attendants to the ceremony. A chuppah symbolizes the home that the couple will build together. While a Jewish marriage is still considered valid in the absence of a chuppah, a chuppah is still considered a basic requirement for a Jewish wedding.

Cookie table

Wikipedia article: Cookie table

A cookie table is a wedding tradition said to originate in Youngstown, Ohio where in place of or in addition to a wedding cake, a large table with different cookies is presented to guests at the wedding reception. Cookies are generally prepared by family members in advance of the reception.

Research has shown that the cookie table appears to have stronger ethnic or religious ties, although in some regions of the United States it is becoming more of a regional practice, primarily East Coast and industrial centers. Cookie tables are included in primarily Italian or Catholic wedding receptions. Other groups that also have cookie tables or cookie platters are the Greeks, Slovaks, Serbian Orthodox, Austrian/Hungarian, and Scandinavians. The inclusion of a cookie table is more widely known where those of Italian ancestry settled, and also in some cases, of the other groups mentioned above. Where a settlement did not consist of sizable numbers of Italian or Eastern European groups, the number of those who were familiar with cookie tables decreased. Cookie tables were better known in the east than in the mid-west, south, southwest or west.

Las arras

Wikipedia article: Las arras

Las arras, or Las arras matrimoniales (English: wedding tokens, or unity coins) are wedding paraphernalia used in Christian wedding ceremonies in Spain and Latin American countries. The tradition is also followed, with varying names and customs, in countries and communities bearing degrees of Hispanic influence. Traditionally, in Spain and Latin America, it is made up of thirteen gold coins and a "madrina de arras" (an ornate box or chest) in which they are placed. After being blessed by a priest, they are given or presented by the groom to the bride.

Lebes Gamikos

Wikipedia article: Lebes Gamikos

The lebes gamikos, or "nuptial lebes," (plural - lebetes gamikoi) is a form of ancient Greek Pottery used in marriage ceremonies (literally, it means marriage vase). It was probably used in the ritual sprinkling of the bride with water before the wedding. In form, it has a large bowl-like body and a stand that can be long or short. Painted scenes are placed on either the body of the vessel or the stand.

One of the earliest lebes gamikos was painted by, apparently, a follower of Sophilos (c. 580 - 570). The lebes gamikos had the typical wedding procession, accompanied by the unique addition of chariots bearing Helen and Menelaos and the bride's brothers.

A typical lebes gamikos shows wedding scenes (including mythic weddings such as the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, but the iconography be also be related to scenes such as mimes.

Loving cup

Wikipedia article: Loving cup

A loving cup is a shared drinking container traditionally used at weddings and banquets. It usually has two handles and is often made of silver. Loving cups are commonly used as trophies. They can be found in several European cultures, including the Celtic quaich and the French coupe de marriage.

Wedding cake topper

Wikipedia article: Wedding cake topper

A wedding cake topper is a small model that sits on top of the wedding cake, normally a representation of the couple in formal wedding attire. Toppers may be humorous, such as a bride dragging the groom to the altar.

Wedding cord

Wikipedia article: Wedding cord

The traditional wedding cord, also known as the wedding lasso or wedding lazo cord is a piece of wedding paraphernalia used in some Christian Catholic wedding ceremonies. This is actually a representation of a loop of rosary beads made out of white satin or silk. During the wedding proper, this is traditionally formed into a figure-of-eight shape, and then placed around the neck areas of the bride and the groom after they have made their wedding vows, and are already kneeling on pillows for the pronouncement of a wedding prayer. This cord symbolizes lifetime unity or the everlasting union of the bride and groom when they officially become husband and wife, as well as a symbol of marital protection; while the loops formed signifies their love for one another. After the wedding, this marital twine is typically kept by the bride as a wedding souvenir. Use of the traditional wedding cord for weddings is common in Hispanic countries such as Mexico and Spain, as well as countries influenced by them.

Wedding cord ritual

Wikipedia article: Wedding cord

After shrouding the bride and groom with the wedding veils, a pair of wedding participants is assigned in placing the wedding cord around the couple, with the groom being the first to be “lassoed" or “looped" by it at the shoulder area. The cord is held in place by means of pins. In other wedding ceremonies, the wedding cord is tied around the couple’s wrists. The wedding cord stays on and around the couple until the wedding mass or religious service is finished. Then, it is removed by the same pair of wedding participants who were assigned to place the loop around the couple.

On the other hand, the ritual for the cord of three strands is performed by the bride and the groom. The groom holds the end of the cord that has a metal ring, while the bride braids the strands together. The braiding is done while an explanation of the significance of the braiding ritual is being read, or while a wedding music is being played, or while a wedding song is being chanted. The resulting braid is kept in place temporarily by a rubber band, and then permanently by a gold thread. The loop can signify the sacramental union itself or simply the, "yoke of marriage".

Wedding mandap

Wikipedia article: Wedding mandap

A wedding mandap (covered structure with pillars) temporarily erected for the purpose of a Hindu or Jain wedding. The main wedding ceremonies take place under the mandap.

It is traditionally made of wood, although now modern materials are sometimes used. It often comes as a set that includes pillars supporting a frame, royal chairs for the bride and the groom, side chairs for parents and a pedestal for the sacred fire.

It is often rented from businesses that specialize in renting items for an Indian wedding. Its use is common even among overseas Indians.

Use of a mandap is an ancient custom and is described in texts like Ramacharitamanas and various Sanskrit texts.

Wedding ring cushion

Wikipedia article: Wedding ring cushion

A wedding ring cushion or ring bearer pillow is a small pillow on which the wedding rings are carried in a traditional Western white wedding. They are frequently carried by a junior member of the bridal party known as the ringbearer frequently a younger male relative or friend.

During the process the ring bearer carries the rings on the pillow down the aisle to the officiant.

Wedding ring cushions are generally small, ornate pillows that reflect the wedding's colors or white silk pillows. In less traditional Western weddings they can be whimsical or thematic containers that reflect the couple's personal tastes.

Wishing well (wedding)

Wikipedia article: Wishing well (wedding)

A wedding wishing well is a fancy donation box. It is sometimes found at weddings and showers to collect monetary gifts for the guests of honor.

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