Hope Springfield
Should a bride wear pearls? Is rain a blessing-or a warning? And why should you never let a cat lick your wedding shoes?From lucky horseshoes and hidden sixpences to ominous owls, enchanted mirrors, protective veils and wedding cakes said to reveal the future, marriage has always attracted an extraordinary collection of beliefs.Veils, Vows & Very Bad Omens travels through centuries of wedding folklore from Britain, Ireland, Europe and communities around the world. Discover how brides once dreamed of their future husbands, why certain flowers were forbidden, what the weather supposedly foretold, which wedding guests brought good fortune-and the alarming consequences of dropping a ring at the altar.Warm, witty and packed with wonderfully strange details, this entertaining collection explores the hopes and anxieties hidden inside familiar traditions, while uncovering customs that have almost disappeared entirely.Whether you are planning a wedding, fascinated by folklore, searching for an unusual bridal gift or simply enjoy the beautifully bizarre things people once believed, this charming book proves that saying 'I do' has never been as simple as it sounds.
