• The word Honeymoon comes from ancient times when couples would drink honey wine under a full moon.

• Centuries ago, the ring finger was believed to be connected to the heart by a vein.

• The engagement ring tradition dates back to medieval times, where in Italy, precious stones including diamonds were used as part of the grooms payment for the bride.

• Throwing rice comes from the orient.  This was believed to make the couple fertile.

• In Russia all non-family members that attend the wedding receive a gift from the bride and groom rather than giving one.

• The word trousseau comes from France.  Long, long ago the French bride would bring her clothes in a small bundle called a trousseau.

• The word fiancée means promise?

• In ancient Rome brides wore wedding rings on their thumb.

• That something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue means? Old ties to the past, New hope for the future, Borrowed friendship, Blue for faithfulness.

• Why the groom carry the bride across the threshold?  Legend says she was carried to protect her from evil spirits.

• In Ireland the bride & groom were given a horseshoe which was considered to be good luck to put up in their new home.

• In Greece both the bride & groom wear crowns made of flowers during the ceremony. 

• If you know of other traditions or customs, we want to hear from you!   E-mail us at: stay@gablesn.com

What's in a Name:

In the past, brides almost always took the grooms last name, but in these modern times you can:

• Take your husbands last name.

• Take your husbands last name and keep your maiden name as your middle name such as Hazel Dean, becomes Hazel Dean Anthony.  

• Both keep your own names.

• Both could adopt a whole new name.

• You could hyphenate your name such as
  Hazel Dean-Anthony.

• But what ever you decide, both of you need to talk about it.

Legally Speaking:

Once you have married, you will need to do several things to make sure everything is legal.  Here are some things you will probably want to take care of:

• Make sure the marriage license are sent back to the county clerks office.

• Contact your Life Insurance company and change your beneficiary (if necessary).

• Do you need to get or change your homeowner/renters insurance policy.

• Take a long hard look at your credit cards and see which ones you should cancel if they are duplicated and if you can get rid of the high interest ones or at least consolidating them.

• Don't' forget to change your name/address on the following:
      Social Security Card (call 800-772-1213)
      Driver's License
      Bank and any other financial institutions
      Credit Cards and Department Store Credit Cards
      Car Registrations
      Voter Registration cards
      Employment records
      Phone/Utility Company
      Passport

• If both of you have insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, etc.), you will need to check on the better rate and coverage and see about canceling the insurance you do not need.

• If you have a will, be sure and update it.

• You may also want to choose a family doctor.

• On savings and checking accounts, you may want to put them together or you may want to keep an account in each of your names.  Some couples have a joint account for all household expenses and a individual account for other things.

Gifts: