Everyone has seen a bride carry flowers down the aisle at a wedding, but do you know how this tradition began? History offers up several stories to explain the significance behind the bouquets; everything from the use of certain varieties of flowers in hopes that their symbolism will affect the marriage, to the belief that certain flowers had the power to ward off evil spirits. The explanation I liked the best was this: According to the Huffington Post, during the 15th century, people took their YEARLY baths in May and would generally get married in June...since they didn't smell TOO bad just a month later (relatively speaking if course). Just to be on the safe side, brides would carry bouquets of flowers to mask their body odor! The rest of the story about the bathing habits of our ancestors was amusing to me as well...The annual baths consisted of a big tub of hot water, The man of the house got the nice, hot, clean water, then all the other male members of the household from sons to servants. They were followed by the lowly women, girls and last of all, the baby. By that time, the water was so filthy, you couldn't see into it and tiny tots could actually get lost in it, hence the expression, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."...tooooo funny!!!!
.............................................."The Earth laughs in flowers." Ralph Waldo Emerson ........................................
Thursday, July 22, 2010
COMMON SCENTS: Why Brides Carry Bouquets
Everyone has seen a bride carry flowers down the aisle at a wedding, but do you know how this tradition began? History offers up several stories to explain the significance behind the bouquets; everything from the use of certain varieties of flowers in hopes that their symbolism will affect the marriage, to the belief that certain flowers had the power to ward off evil spirits. The explanation I liked the best was this: According to the Huffington Post, during the 15th century, people took their YEARLY baths in May and would generally get married in June...since they didn't smell TOO bad just a month later (relatively speaking if course). Just to be on the safe side, brides would carry bouquets of flowers to mask their body odor! The rest of the story about the bathing habits of our ancestors was amusing to me as well...The annual baths consisted of a big tub of hot water, The man of the house got the nice, hot, clean water, then all the other male members of the household from sons to servants. They were followed by the lowly women, girls and last of all, the baby. By that time, the water was so filthy, you couldn't see into it and tiny tots could actually get lost in it, hence the expression, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."...tooooo funny!!!!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Summerall Chapel at The Citadel
What a great place to be married...this beautiful southern chapel is located on the campus of The Citadel. The chapel was built in 1936. It is a shrine for religion, patriotism, and remembrance. From the air the red clay tile roof forms a cross.
The inscription on the front of the chapel reads "Remember Now Thy Creator In The Days Of Thy Youth" It summarizes the spiritual atmosphere at the Citadel. The Summerall Chapel is available to all and is nondenominational. 
Inside, the ceiling is Pine, the furniture Appalachian Mountain White Oak and all of the lighting is handcrafted wrought iron. Flags from the 50 states hang from the walls.
Wedding photos by Ron Montgomery of Cane Bay Photography http://www.canebayphotography.com/
The inscription on the front of the chapel reads "Remember Now Thy Creator In The Days Of Thy Youth" It summarizes the spiritual atmosphere at the Citadel. The Summerall Chapel is available to all and is nondenominational. 
Each stain glass window, purchased as a memorial by the graduating classes through 1944, depicts an important event in the life of Christ. The large Chancel window, directly behind the alter at the front of the chapel, was dedicated in 1942 as a memorial to all the Citadel graduates who gave their lives for their country.
Inside, the ceiling is Pine, the furniture Appalachian Mountain White Oak and all of the lighting is handcrafted wrought iron. Flags from the 50 states hang from the walls. 
If you are interested in having your wedding at this chapel, you will need to book well in advance. A year ahead is not too soon as the dates fill up early for this popular venue. The Wedding Coordinator is Nancy Lefter 843-953-6572 email nancy.lefter@citadel.edu Citadel graduates and military are given preference with a discount. As a preferred vendor for the Summerall Chapel, FIRST BLOOM also gives a discount to Citadel alumni who choose the Summerall Chapel for their wedding.
********************************************************
Being a graduate of the Citadel, Trent and Nicole wanted to have their wedding at his alma mater where he spent his college years.
For the service, the mothers of the bride and groom carried long-handled posies while all of the men in the bridal party wore boutonnieres that included a starfish to go along with the couples' nautical theme.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Trent and Nicole
I had the pleasure of making the floral arrangements for Nicole and Trent's wedding day. We didn't have a lot of planning time, but as you can see, everything turned out beautifully and their special day was fantastic and memorable for everyone! Summerall Chapel at the Citadel was the choice for their wedding service and the reception venue was the Waterfront Park in Mt. Pleasant. (more on these venues in a later post). Nicole and Trent are a fun-loving couple, and their personalities came through in the photos taken by Ron Montgomery of Cane Bay Photography. Here is a peek at their wedding day... 
Inside the Summerall Chapel 
The Bride's bouquet of white Peonies 
Nicole and her maids - Formal...and not so formal 
Trent and the guys 
Reception flowers 
Beautiful Simplicity! 
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Chinese Lanterns
I love interesting flowers and these rank right up at the top for me. Yes, they are real! They are a hybrid appropriately called Chinese Lanterns. I took this picture in the Biltmore Estates' Gardens, in Asheville, NC. (click on the pic to get a larger view...just incredible... perfect!)
Anyway, it got me to thinking...were chinese paper lanterns made to look like the flower or were the flowers named after the paper lanterns because of their resemblance? Which came first? Kind of like the chicken and the egg! Interesting...makes you think...for a couple seconds anyway!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)