The Bridal Wreath

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 98, 16 July 1927, Page 17

The Bridal Wreath

■S7TT is popularly beFyj lieved that orange VI blossoms were introduced into European ... bridal ceremonies by the Crusaders who got the pretty custom from the Saracens, among whom the orange blossom was a favourite bridal flower, and regarded as an omen of prosperity, owing to the fact that in the East the orange tree bears ripe fruit and a h* wealth of blossom simultaneously. §4 Often in early Anglo-Saxon times Igjjthe bridal wreath was made of corn IS* and wheat ears, a custom which still

prevails in Greece where an interchange of chaplets takes place during the ceremony. Perhaps the oldest of bridal ornaments was a simple wreath of flowers, such as history tells us was worn by the early Roman brides. Sweet herbs and flowers were twined into a garland by the Romans and with these their brides were crowned, to denote wishes for domesticity and bliss. The Anglo-Saxons often crowned both bride and bridegroom with wreaths of myrtle and rosemary, these chaplets having first been blessed by the priest of their temple.

Rosemary and bay leaves are said to bring good fortune when worn in the wedding chaplet, and this custom, which hails from oldest England, returns to us this springtime with unerring authenticity. The traditional wreath of foliage, dipped first in perfume, then gilded and intertwined with white satin ribbon finishing in a small true lovers' knots at the back of the head is equally becoming to blonde or brunette bride, and the Parisian designers have invested in this fancy for many of the newest wreaths. This final touch of a lovers’ knot ils full of symbolism: French peasau.s have ever considered it graceful and fortunate to encircle the arm with ribbon finished in a lovers’ knot, and to this day the sagacious French bridal artists introduce designs of lovers’ knots into the sleeves of wedding gowns. By the same traditional token do English brides use lovers’ knots to dainty advantage in either wedding veil or train . . . perhaps never more so than in charming veils for brides of this particular springtime. The Norwegian bride tucks a sprig of myrtle into the lovers’ knot that finishes her wedding veil . . . and lo! Fashion, in her charming mood, declares that myrtle “for happiness and long wedded life," she will also employ in newest marriage wreaths. For the Titian-haired bride of Scottish descent Fashion makes a pretty special gesture in allowing her to tuck a sprig of heather into the simple wreath of orange blossoms that best adorn her glowing beauty.