New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-20
MANY MARRIAGES THEN.
German Couples Asoait Ne5os of
Cro1Op Princes Yielding Dag.

The day on which the Duchess Cecilia gives her
hand 10 the Crown Prince of Germany will be
day Of weddings throughout the dominions Of the
Kaiser. and many young couples awaiting with
anxiety the announcement OF the date for it is A
tradition firmly adhered throughout the Father
land that a marriage contracted on the same day
Is thst OF a King. prince or any member of royal
family Is certain to be a happy one
This Is Only Of the many superstitions which
surround the German bride and she is pursued
by them even 20 the altar. II the candles burn
bright and clear, it presages happiness and luck
II they dull pickering unhappiness and mis-
fortune may be expected. Should they give feeble
light on the brdegroom's side, he will die on
the brides side. she Will be torn from her hus-
bands arm. The bridal pair must stand so closely
together that light may be seen between them
VICE TO the bride who in nervousness or awkward
meas lets fall her handkerchief bouquet. She
VIII be oFertaken by the greatest misfortune
During the recital of the marriage vows the
brides hand must rest uppermost on the bride
groorns, or she must place her foot lightly upon his
that she may have the rule in the home This is a
widely popular superstition particularly among the
COUNTRY people. and the struggle 10 obtain and
keep the ruling position often causes confusion as
well as harity among the guests who watch the
menCeuvres with delight.
In Berlin, where the greatest number Of these
superstitions TO be found, owing TO the influx
Of people from all the country the bride must
be the first to leave the church, and as she does so
her mother or one Of the bridesmaids must make
otherwise
mage VIII be childless one When this is not
done at the church II is done afterward during
the festivities. when the bridal wreath is danced
Of In this case the veil is 10 shreds.
The quaint ceremony Of dancing the BRIDES
wreath of is popular throughout Germany, par
uoularly among the upper classes The bride is
hhndfolded. and the unmarried men form a ring
around ber. Each swings her in turn, and as she
dances she throws of bits Of her myrtle wreath
The lucky who catches the first piece will be
e H~r~
the girl who gets the first piece will be the next
bride.
The Berlin bride must not sew a stitch in her
wedding dress II she hopes for happiness in her
married life a piece Of money is often sewed in
the train or else II is placed in the shoe This is
supposed not only 10 bring her plenty of this
worlds goods, but also TO insure her the ruling
hand IN her household. thing rather rare in the
money but bread and salt are eeWed in the train
This is remnant Of the ancient CUSTOM still prac
adds BIZ Of ash so much used in German c6okery
ana cur7Eg the ceremony she keeps repeating;
7 stand salt and dlll
In leaving the house for the church the bride
things to rem Ems T # She T Would have luck she
If it he mast 10 look 6e baoE sho G It be
raining she must take care that not a drop OF rain
rage must never turn after The bride has taken
As 70 the weather the Beriiners seem TO con
slider any kind propitious. The following couplet
: the counterpart of the English. Blessed is the
oFloe thar the sun shines on
So yiel strahlen Some,
So Wei CLICK und Worne.
But blessings are supposed to come also with the
drops OF rain, is shown by the following lines:
So tropfen Regen
So yiel G'dck und Ssgen
y ne country. however. rain invariably signifies
D.elortune.
.oThEOughout the country it is considered lucky
.os several members Of one family TO be married
N ne same day. In Berlin, on the contrary,
1y4oie marriage. particularly CT sisters, foroodes
UitlSgnlness for one.
While sunny May and golden June are the IA
eptIts months for weddings in the United states,
- germany the bride dons the myrtle at the coolest
.ost unfrlenoly season Of the year october ana NO
.eif4Der are the months usually chosen and one OF
re NEST cheering sights in Berlin dOll autumn
10y as Inc spIck and span wedding coach, for "hicn
ne Enlode class bride viii make any sacrince Win
Ign silver love birds perched IN the lamps anu
cseAslan and footman in SPAR blue IiVefles- DC
sSopel may DC said TO be more popular ~ecoths
4Issonth tfan November, for the good reason mat
-1Esaeh must fall in with the police regulations,
s1lIcH require that apartments shall De rented
rom October /
The rehearxai OF weddings, however formal is an
tsaslioSn thing n Germany and a civil binulnS OF
ne contract Il addition the church ceremony, is
c21gstory- II IS with the latter only that super
ed.cn is associated, for civil ceremony Is TOO dry
ana uninterest1ng 10 admit OF sentiment.