Carpenters walk on shavings, butchers on sheepskins, shoemakers on leather parings, and blacksmiths on scarps of old iron. Photographs Photos are taken outside the church immediately after the ceremony, or inside if it is raining. While photos are being taken, relatives and close friends present the bride with wedding souvenirs - horseshoes, wooden spoons, rolling pins, all decorated with lace and ribbon. They do not toss the bouquet or garter. In medieval England, guests brought small cakes and piled them in the center of a table, challenging the bride and groom to kiss over them.
Wedding cakes are less elaborate in design.
Old fashioned fruitcake dates back to the days before leavening and sugar. There are no bridal registries. Family members pass around the bride's general list of items she needs. Guests take their gifts to the reception where they are opened. Monetary gifts are very rare.