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The common Western wedding derives from Roman Wedding Customs. The most traditional of Roman ceremonies involved a great deal of planning and a lavish ceremony. One custom that translates directly to the traditional Western custom is the engagement ring. Wealthier couples provided a ring for their significant other. The ring was worn on the third finger of the left hand. This finger was thought to contain the nerve that ran directly to the heart.

The events on the wedding day had a sequence of order as well. The night before the wedding the daughter would give away her "birth locket" to her father. On the morning of the wedding her mother would dress the bride in her father’s home. Pageant

The Dress is the one element that directly ties to current day "western" weddings. On the morning of the wedding, her mother dressed the bride. Traditionally, a Roman bride wore a white, straight, floor length tunic, similar to the ones worn today. This dress was only worn once and was then tucked away for safekeeping. Gold trim was also a part of the wedding dress. A rope of gold was criss-crossed across the bodice of the dress. A sheer train was then attached at the waist where the gold braids would fall. Gold sandals were worn.

The bride wore a flammeum, which is similar to today’s veil. The flammeum was a rectangular piece that left the bride’s face showing. The flammeum was traditionally white, though some argue that yellow may have been used.

Around her waist a belt was tied. This is called the "knot of Hercules" or the “Nodus Herculanis”, as Hercules is the protector of marriage. The husband could only untie the Knot. This is where the saying “tying the Knot” Originates. The knot would be untied in a ceremony that was just as important as the marriage ceremony.

The Bride’s hair was styled in a style specific to weddings known as the tutulus. To accomplish this, the mother of the bride would divide the hair into, six locks. The hair was then piled on lop of the head and crowned with flowers. The flowers of the crown were that of golden laurel. The bride carried a bouquet of white orchids or lilies.

Bridesmaids of the period wore a tunic similar to the bride. The bridesmaid’s dress would be plainer and have fewer embellishments than that of the bride. Gold trim would be worn around the waist. A dried flower wreath was worn.

The Groom typically wore a floor length tunic. The common wedding colors of the period included red, gold, and purple. The groom’s tunic was commonly trimmed with these colors. The groom wore typical Roman sandals. The groom also wore a laurel wreath.

The Groomsmen wore knee length tunics and sandals.

During the actual ceremony, there would be a minimum of ten witnesses present; usually a great amount of people would witness the ceremony. Very similar to the traditions seen today, the bride and groom would stand hand in hand in front of a priest. The bride and groom would both chant their vows: "Quando tu Gaius, ego Gaia." ("When-and where-you are Gaius, I then-and there-am Gaia.") After the vows were said, the bride and groom would make an offer to the God Jupiter. The offering was either cake or bread. The bride and groom would then eat the offering. After the ceremony, there would be a lavish dinner party similar to our receptions. Many customs of the Roman Wedding still survive today. Wedding rings, wedding dresses, and bouquets are still traditions used today.

Roman Weddings http://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-weddings.php

http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/consortium/ancientweddings5.html

http://www.crystalinks.com/romefamily.html

http://www.wedthemes.com/ancient-roman-wedding.shtml