The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-04
ORANGE BLOSSOMS
STILL IN VOGUE
hany Are SuperstitiOus Re-
garding Them.
CUSTOMS OF OTHER NATIONS
Brides OF Many Countries Have Cere-
monies That Seem Odd TO
Americans.
CUSTOMS OF OTHER NATIONS

Orange blossoms are as much a ,a,.
ture Of n brides gown tadav as tbav
ever were. and the probability is that
they will be so for generations to coma
For somehow the quaint custom has
been in vogue for 50 many years that
20 the generality of brides there IS a
real superstition connected with the
wearing of the flower, and Few care 10
risk the ceremony without wearing a
spray 20 fasten on the veil
IS to the reason for This superstition
there are several old customs that are
responsible. Its origin is doubtful. but
1t has been said that It was used long
ago by the Saracens because IL seemed
to them an emblem Of prosperity IN that
1t bore flowers and fruit at the same
time.
on the other hand. there are some who
declare that the French miIliners alone
were responsible for the vogue on ac-
count Of its being so becoming a one.
The blossoms might also serve as an
emblem of purity, with their crisp wax
en- beauty. and in this respect be ex-
tremely appropriate for this special
ceremony.
Swiss Custom.
~ AA-fiAN4EAlS al t e. AAclALAg aware OF
the fact that the dainty beauty of the
orange flower become them, so they al
ways wear a spray that falls to below
the waist lire. An interesting custom
has sprung up IN Switzerland in con-
nectiOn with this bridal emblem
When the wedding is over, the mis-
tress Of the ceremonies. who is very
often the brides godmother, takes the
wreath and throws IL in che FIRE Mean
while the bride and her friends iUin
In a special dance, but their eyes are
eagerly watching 70 see how quickly
the flowers VIII burn. II they only take
a short time, then the newly married
pair viii have great prosperity, but IL
/ they burn slowly, there - trouble in
store. In one Swiss VILLAGE there is so
much superstition upon this point that
all the time that the flowers are being
reduced to ashes, the bride and bride
groom kneel before the urc AM pray
FOR their future happiness.
English girls are loyal TO the orange
blossoms, and whenever practfca bic
wear the real flowers. j is so in this
country. The majority Of the brides
seek 70 procure a spray Of real orange
blossoms for this imp0:tan. event. and
it is said that many OF these bridal
" -cANA-' NAl1- q pretty penny
White heather IS a great favorite with
the English and Scotch girls and this
also IS supposed TO be an emblem of
prosperity in the Jays to come. In
some countries the process CT making
wedding wreaths is one TO which con-
siderable ceremony is attached. In Be-
hernia the bridesmaids gather together
upon the previous evening and lake
them for the next day
Gold and Silver.
Many a bride adorns her hair with
sarlands Of gold or silver wreaths, in
stead Of natural flowers, and these are
often handed down from generation 10
generation In Norway this difficulty
Is solved by hiring a wreath from the
church for the sum OF s.
Silver fIigree wreaths are used IN
Russia, and the ceremony IN connection
is always performed by the priest dur
ing the marriage service
The Armenians make il a sin more
important matter. for the poor. long
suffering bride has 20 be most careful
10 wear hers day and night until the
priest sees fit to come and remove il
very often he thinks nothing OF letting
at least eight days elapse before he
does SO.
elry which follows, many playful Gus
toms and picturesque dances are in
dulZed In because Of these bridal
wreaJhs
The Scandinavian girl must dance OF
her wrcar..' which she does by stand
ing bliU-tcldsd in the middle Of a ring
OF dauCIu- maidens. At a given mo-
ment she takes of her wreath and puts
IL upon the head Of the nearest one 10
her. 10 whom IL is an omen that she
viii be the next happy bride.
Toast Wreath.
In Bohemia the bridegroom proposes
a toast TO the brides wreath, and every
man present does the same to that Of
the maiden whom he most admires.
This quaint custom is called the cere-
mony of ''pledging the crowns because
che favored ones Immediately relinquish
their tinseI wreaths to their admirers,
who are very ready 10 adorn their own
caps with them
Bavaria has a much more embarras-
sing way. so far as the bridegroom 10
concerned. When the feast is over
there is always a dance in which he
takes the mistress Of the ceremonies,
generally quite an old lady. and the
bride pairs on with the best man. Then
all the guests begin 10 tell stories and TO
make jokes at the poor husbands eN-
peDSe. II is a good thing that at last
The bride finds herself back with the
bridegroom, while the old lady is ignO-
mlnlOUSly truDdled of in Wneelhar-
row. The last part of the proceeding g
To steal away the IuIiden'S wreath and
present the happy husband with a sprig
OF rosemary on a platter, accompanied
with all good wishes.