FiftyFlowers Blog

Valentine’s Day History

Many different legends on the origin of Valentine’s Day exist throughout history. Both ancient Roman and Christian tradition form the roots of this holiday of love. The ancient Roman celebration known as Lupercalia was celebrated on February 15^th, which according to their calendar, February was the first official month of spring. As a celebration of a new agricultural season, this fertility festival celebrated both the fertility of the land as well as the people. Young men would run throughout the street holding fresh goatskins and lashing the young women they encountered. These young women did not run from the lashings. In fact, they hoped to receive a gentle slap of the goat’s bloody hide for they believed that this interaction with nature would make them more fertile in the coming year. Another one of Lupercalia’s common rituals is the “lottery” system used to match up a man with a woman. The names of all the young maidens were placed into a large box. Each of the young men selected a name from this pot. This maiden then became his chosen woman for the following year, with the relationship often lasting longer and resulting in marriage. Lupercalia’s customs continued, even as ancient Rome converted into a more civilized, powerful empire.

Modern Valentine’s Day customs have evolved from both the Lupercalia festival and Christian legend. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine, yet confusion still exists as to who exactly St. Valentine was. Some scholars believe at least two of these martyred saints were the same person. Others believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in mid-February in an attempt to “Christianize” the pagan celebrations of Lupercalia. Whatever the motivation, and whoever St. Valentine was, several versions exist that all embody the romantic spirit of Valentine’s Day.

Valentine was a priest living in Rome around the year 270AD while the emperor Claudius the Cruel was in charge. Claudius had turned desperate after years of battle in an ongoing war. The Roman men began to refuse to fight, instead wishing to remain with their families or sweethearts. This infuriated Claudius. He ordered for new marriages to be outlawed and current marriages not be recognized. As can be expected, not many agreed with his actions, including the priest Valentine. He continued to perform marriages in secret for these young lovers. As word traveled about a priest named Valentine who befriended lovers longing to marry, word eventually reached Emperor Claudius. He ordered that Valentine be placed in a dungeon and sentenced to death.

Some believe that while Valentine was awaiting his death, he helped cure the jailer’s daughter of blindness. Others say that he simply fell in love with her. Either way, it is believed that prior to his beheading on the morning of February 14^th, he sent the jailer’s daughter a letter and signed it, “From your Valentine.”  This phrase continues to be used today.

Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide

Wedding anniversaries celebrate the union of a couple and the life they have shared over the years. Whether a couple is celebrating their 1^st year anniversary or their 50^th, each year is a milestone filled with love, understanding and triumph. The couple exchanges gifts to expresses their gratitude for one another. Sometimes friends and family provide gifts as well. This tradition dates back to medieval Europe, where friends and family would give the wife a silver wreath upon her twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, and a golden wreath to mark her fiftieth. Over the years both a traditional and more modern gift-giving list has been complied. A particular material is associated with each year of marriage. The material becomes more elaborate with each passing year. While this traditional list may seem simple and a bit boring, couples who choose to follow these romantic traditions have become quite creative! Take the first year anniversary for example. You would probably find yourself sleeping on the couch is you gave a ream of paper alone as a gift. But wrapping a dazzling bracelet in an origami paper box, or buying him (paper) tickets to his favorite sporting event is sure to be a hit! To jump-start the creative process, we have provided you with a list of the traditional wedding gift themes, the more modern list (which is already out-dated and may no longer seem “modern”) and the color associated with each passing year.

1^st         Paper                Clock                            Yellow

2^nd        Cotton               China                            Linen White

3^rd         Leather             Crystal, Glass                Fawn

4^th         Books               Appliances                    Green

5^th         Wood                Silverware                     Turquoise

6^th         Iron                   Wood                            White

7^th         Copper              Desk Accessories          Off-white

8^th         Electrical           Linen/Lace                    Bronze

9^th         Pottery              Leather                         Terracotta

10^th       Tin                    Diamond                       Silver

11^th       Steel                 Fashion jewelry              Turquoise

12^th       Silk                   Pearls                           Oyster white

13^th       Lace                 Textile/Furs                   White

14^th       Ivory                 Gold                             Ivory

15^th       Crystal              Watch                           Ruby red

16^th       -                       Silverware                     Silver

17^th       -                       Furniture                       Yellow

18^th       -                       Porcelain                       Blue

19^th       -                       Bronze                          Bronze

20^th       China                Platinum                       Emerald green

21^st       -                       Brass                            Orange

22^nd       -                       Nickel                           Green

23^rd       -                       Copper                          Silver

24^th       -                       Musical instrument         Lavender

25^th       Silver                Silver                            Silver

30^th       Pearl                 Diamond                       Green

35^th       Coral                 Jade                             Coral

40^th       Ruby                 Ruby                             Ruby red

45^th       Sapphire           Sapphire                       Sapphire red

50^th       Gold                 Gold                             Gold

55^th       Emerald            Emerald                        Emerald green

60^th       Diamond           Diamond                       Diamond

65^th +    Whatever your heart desires!

Wedding Bow Decorations

Decorative bows can are one of the most versatile wedding decorations available. They are also one of easiest to create. While at first bow-making can be a frustrating task, once you get a feel for it, it will not take long to make them in all sizes and styles. We suggest you first practice with basic ribbon before using wedding material. The thicker the material, the easier it will be to work with. Bridal ribbon usually comes with wired edges. Although it may cost a bit more, wired ribbon gives a do-it-yourself decorator the control to style the ribbon exactly as desired. It also takes the worry out of your bows losing their form. The steps below outline the basics for many types, styles and sizes of bows. Ones you master these simple steps, you will discover a cheap yet elegant way to decorate pews, entrances, fences, tables, hand-rails, and whatever else you can image!

Materials: ribbon, craft wire, wire cutters, scissors, a foam board (optional but your thumbs work equally as well).

Step 1: Forming the loops. Lay your ribbon out horizontally on a table. Find the middle, and from about 6-8” from the center, on both its left and right sides, pinch the ribbon and wrap it inwards toward the center. Firmly hold the center with your thumb and pointer finger (if you are right handed, it may be easier to hold the bow in your left hand while you use your right hand to work with the ribbon).

These first two loops will determine the width of your bow. To make loops of various sizes, simply make each set of loops slightly smaller than the previous. The amount of loops you want, as well as the length of the “tails” that will be left over on each end, will determine the length of ribbon needed. Tails can also be attached as a separate piece of ribbon by using a glue gun.

Another thing to note is that many ribbons have two sides, one side flat, the other shiny. Be sure that the shiny is always facing out as you make your loops. In order to do this, you will need to twist the ribbon as you gather it at the center.

Step 2: Securing the center. Now that you are holding the completed bow firmly between your fingers, you must use the craft wire to secure the center. Secure the center by twisting wire securely around the center. This wire must be very, very tight so that the loops do not move. Don’t panic! As you do this, the bow will be distorted. Simply shape the bow as desired once the wire has been attached.

Unless you are using attractive wire, you may want to consider adding beads, pearls or some other decorative piece to conceal the wire.

Step 3: Attaching the bow. Here, you have several options that work well. If you use a long piece of wire to secure the ribbon, the extra wire can be used to attach the bow to a pew, entrance or hand-rail. Another good option is to use a glue gun (and maybe a pin or two) to attach an additional piece of fabric to the backside of the bow. This fabric also serves as part of the decoration, so make sure it matches, but be careful that it does not distract from the bow itself!

Wedding Traditions around the World

The world is a small place. Love has no boundaries. Together, these two statements create many international romances. International love can add excitement and diversity to a relationship, but it can also create several problems, especially when it comes to weddings. Many couples find themselves pondering which cultural traditions to incorporate into the ceremony. With numerous wedding traditions throughout the world, ceremonies are more and more multicultural in nature. Even couples from the same country often look to other cultures for unique ceremony ideas. Described below are a few wedding traditions rooted in several Baltic countries.

Estonia

Similar in spirit to the bride tossing her bouquet, in Estonia the groom is blind-folded and spun in circles by all the single men. Dizzy and disoriented, the groom removes his hat places it on one of the men, of course naming him the next bachelor to be married.

Sweden

The Swedish couple incorporates pungent herbs into their attire in order to ward off bad spirits and trolls.

The Swedish bride receives three bands upon the exchange of vows. The first represents her engagement, the second her wedding, and the third her hopes for motherhood.

Latvia

The Latvian bride is often “kidnapped” by guests or members of her bridal party. To get her back, the groom must pay a ransom, usually a round of drinks for all!

The bride enjoys her wedding attire until the stroke of midnight, upon which other women at the reception remove her white dress and veil, where she then transitions from “bride” to “wife.”

Finland

In Finland, the groom’s mother takes part in a long-held superstition. She balances a china plate upon her head as the new couple takes the dance floor. When it falls – and we guarantee it will! – the number of broken pieces foretells the number of children the couple will have.

A common ritual for the Finnish bride, similar to that of the Estonian groom, is to remove her golden crown while blindfolded and place in on the head of one of the many girls dancing around her. This lucky lady will be the next to marry.

Lithuania

On the wedding day, the bride greets her parents in the early morning hours and formally says good-bye to her parents and her home. After the marriage takes place, the bride and groom return to her parent’s house, where her mom and dad no longer treat her as a member of the family, but rather as a welcomed guest.

The bride enters the church wearing a wreath of rue upon her head. Her bridesmaids remove this headpiece and replace it with another, more mature one. This tradition represents the bride’s transition for childhood to womanhood.

Iceland

Waiting is the key to healthy marriages. Most couples are engaged for at least 3 years before taking their vows. The couple surely is not rushed. Nor is the traditional wedding ceremony. The ceremony itself could last for well over a week, with the actually marriage occurring on a Sunday.

The Wedding Veil

Look for the veil and you identify the bride. Veils are as popular today as they were centuries ago. Sure, the styles and their intentions have changed, but brides within many cultures still incorporate this traditional accessory in their attire. Some brides now combine it with a stunning tiara so that the same hair-do can be used for the ceremony and the reception. But why wear a veil? Where and how did this custom come about? Let’s take a look to the past to see where this classic bridal tradition began.

Veils were initially used for different purposes depending upon the culture. Superstition played a large role in many societies. In fact, it is the underlying reason why we have many wedding traditions, including bridesmaids, the tossing of rice and of course the veil. For many cultures, the veil protected the bride from evil spirits. This disguise shielded her from all spirits that wished to prevent the marriage. Veils were not always white, which may not have been too important since the tradition of white dresses was not as common during this time. A simple piece of cloth was all that was needed to hide the bride from these spirits. This practice has of course changed over the years for a the veil no longer hides a bride, but rather distinguishes her.

Another one of the veil’s uses dates back to the times when marriages were arranged. Many of these arrangements took place without the bride and groom ever seeing each other. Not only was it considered back luck to see the bride prior to marrying her, it also served a functional purpose. The father hid his daughter until the wedding day in fear that the groom may refuse the proposal if he was not pleased with her looks. The groom would lift his bride’s veil during the ceremony to see her face for the very first time.

The veil later became a symbol of innocence and chastity during the nineteenth century, especially in Britain. In addition to the veil, the young bride would wear her hair long and flowing as a symbol of her modesty. This modest bride was to be given to the groom, who was to protect and care for her. To symbolize this, ceremony took place beneath a canopy to signify that she was now under his protection. The veil functions similarly. As the groom lifted the veil, he was uncovering her and placing her under his protection. It still remains a custom for the groom to unveil the bride, yet many couples now view this as a romantic gesture. It is also not uncommon to see a bride lift the veil herself or choose to wear a veil but letting it hang loose in the back rather than covering her face. My, how the times have changed!

Wedding Ceremony Traditions

We all know that a bride is given away by her father and that she stands on the groom’s left during the ceremony. We also commonly see the groom carry the bride over the threshold. But why? How did these traditions ever come about? And how long have they been incorporated into marriage ceremonies? To answer these questions, we must look back many generations ago.

The bridesmaids are now standing in the front, the music changes and the bride appears. At her side is her father, or another special father-figure in her life. Many years ago female children were considered their father’s property. He arranged for each daughter to marry with a man who he deemed worthy. When it came time for the ceremony, the father would “give away” his daughter to the groom. It was a transfer of property. While the father continues to give away his daughter, the concept behind this act has changed drastically. This tradition now symbolizes the father’s support for his daughter. It may extend to the support of the bride’s mother, for when the father is asked who gives this woman to be married, many fathers often respond “Her mother and I.”

The bride stands on the left, the groom on the right. Nowadays this tradition may not make much sense and simply be accepted as a norm, but years ago it was the key to a successful ceremony. History shows us that a groom captured the woman whom he desired to be his bride. If the woman had other suitors or family members who did not approve of this kidnapping, the groom would have to fight them off, literally. He stood on the right to keep his sword arm free. This is also what brought about the concept of a best man and groomsmen, for they stood by the groom to help the him fight for his bride.

After the marriage, we often see the groom sweep the bride off her feet and carry her into their house. The origins of this tradition are slightly unclear. The two most popular ones are to prevent misfortune and bad luck. To avoid any bad spirits that were lurking under the threshold, the groom carried her across it for protection. Additionally, if the bride were to stumble and fall while entering their new home for the first time, bad luck was to befall the upon newlyweds. While we may no longer be trying to avoid bad spirits and are not playing into old superstitions, carrying the bride across the threshold is a fun and romantic way for a couple to celebrate the beginning of their lives together.

Orange Flowers

Orange flowers are no longer restricted to autumn weddings. While it is true that oranges, browns and other earthly colors create stunning autumn bouquets and centerpieces, orange flowers have converted into year-long must haves. Place them alongside yellow golden hues for spectacular springtime arrangements. Add a bit of blue for a hot yet breezy summer feel. Or let them stand alone for bold and beautiful pieces.

When planning to decorate a wedding or special event in orange, Roses are a classic choice that offers a wide range of orange shades, both in solids and bi-colors. Bright sunshine shades of orange can serve as the focal point in any arrangement. Lighter shades such as pale orange and peachy orange add a romantic charm to bouquets and boutonnieres. Within the bicolor roses, orange combines with shades of yellow, cream or white for an alluring touch that can dress up any wedding or special event.

Looking for something other than roses? No problem. Many other flowers come in various shades of orange. Some of the most popular orange flowers include the Gerbera Daisy, Tulips, Lilies, Mokara Orchids and Calla Lilies. The Gerberas and Calla Lilies offer various shades and patterns. They range from pale to rust orange. Bi-colored orange and yellow Gerberas and Calla Lilies represent a romantic sunset and are perfect for beach side celebrations. Another popular choice, multi-toned orange Mokara Orchids can spice up an arrangement. These unique flowers are often speckled and can either be used as tall flowers or plucked from the stem to add flare within a shorter arrangement.

Whatever the time of year, orange flowers are one of the top trends in wedding and special event decorations. With all the shades of orange available, a bride can find the perfect orange to create her wedding flowers of her dreams.

Flower Spotlight: Amaryllis

With so many wedding styles available, a bride may be falling asleep at night by counting flowers instead of sheep. She may be pondering whether or not to hire a florist, how many flowers will be necessary, what percentage of the budget should go to flowers, and most importantly, which flowers should she choose? To help brides learn more about other wedding flowers aside from the rose, we are spotlighting popular selections that are being used across the country. In this week’s flower spotlight is the amaryllis.

First some background information. The Amaryllis gets its name from Greek mythology, meaning shepherdess. It was first discovered in the Chilean mountains over 150 years ago. Since then, this majestic flower has been cultivated in Holland and throughout other parts of the world.

The Amaryllis flower is most commonly associated with the holiday seasons. Its large head and bright colors make it a smashing hit with decorations and buffet tables. Amaryllis is also considered a popular autumn and winter wedding flower. Maybe it is due to their wide variety of red and white colors – which are available in solids, bi-colors and striped tones – or their appeal may lie in their large showy blooms. Whatever the reason, this flower is a must for fall and winter weddings. For Amaryllis-loving brides planning a spring or summer wedding, no reason to fret. While Amaryllis is well-known as a fall and winter flower, many stunning varieties and colors are available year round.

The Wedding Ring

The wedding ring is a tradition upheld by nearly 100% of newlyweds. Couples are aware that it symbolizes commitment, unity, and fidelity to one another. They may even be aware that not all cultures wear the ring on the same hand. But very few people know where the concept originated and how its importance has changed over the years.

Wedding Traditions around the World

The world is a small place. Love has no boundaries. Together, these two statements create many international romances. International love can add excitement and diversity to a relationship, but it can also create several problems, especially when it comes to weddings. Many couples find themselves pondering which cultural traditions to incorporate into the ceremony. With numerous wedding traditions throughout the world, ceremonies are more and more multicultural in nature. Even couples from the same country often look to other cultures for unique ceremony ideas. Described below are a few wedding traditions rooted in Denmark, the Amish culture and the Jewish faith.

Denmark

The Gate of Honor is a custom that celebrate both the wedding and the couple’s silver anniversary. The Gate of Honor is a arch made from pine branches that is placed in front of the bride’s family’s house to symbolize the sacredness of the couple’s vows.

Adding a bit of fun to the reception, the groom disappears for a moment. It is during this time that all the male guests kiss the bride. No harm done, for later on the bride leaves so that all the female guests get their turn!

As is true throughout many parts of the world, the bride and groom cut the cake together, but in Denmark, all the guests are expected to eat a piece. Or bad luck will fall upon the couple!

The Amish Culture

The bride and groom make it a point to personally deliver the invitation to each guest.

The bride’s dress is new, but casual, similar to Sunday church attire.

The Jewish Faith

A Jewish couple wears wedding bands that do not feature stones, engraving or details. This way, the band is continuous, showing no beginning and no end.

The couple signs a marriage agreement that outlines their vows, expectations and duties. This ornate document is framed and displayed prominently in the couple’s home.

“Krenzl,” or crowning is a tradition that honors the mother of the bride. Upon her last daughter’s marriage, the mother is seated in the center of the room and crowned with a flower wreath. Her daughters dance around her to the sound of a traditional Yiddish song. This tradition has evolved over the years to include both the father and the mother when their last child – son or daughter – is married.