Victorian Wedding Cake Charms
Revive a romantic, Victorian tradition with wedding cake charms. A silver charm, attached to the end of a ribbon, is hidden between the layers of the wedding cake in the frosting. Traditionally, the bride's attendants would assemble behind the cake, along with the bride and groom, before the cake cutting ceremony and each in turn would pull a ribbon from the cake, exposing a charm that foretells her future. (Sometimes this ceremony is performed at a bridal shower or bridal luncheon.)
The bride should supply her DJ or band with a write-up of the ceremony and the meanings of the different charms (included in the box with the charms). Just before the cake cutting ceremony, the MC should invite the bride's attendants to join the bride and groom behind the cake. The MC should then read about the ceremony, and as each girl pulls out a charm, the MC should announce the attendant's name, the charm she received and its meaning.
The charms come in sets of 6 and there are several different sets available. Some are sterling silver, silver plated or silver & nickel alloy, depending upon which set is purchased. If you have more than 6 attendants, you will want to purchase 2 sets. If you have less than 6 attendants and have a flower girl, you may wish to include her.
The charms may also be attached to the stems of the bridal party's wine glasses for a decorative touch.
To prepare the charms for the ribbon pulling: The ribbon is inserted through the ring of the charm and all of the charms are given to the person baking the wedding cake with instructions to nest the charms between the cake layers while the cake is being frosted. The charms should not be baked into the cake.
You may use the white ribbon that comes with the charms, or you may choose to use the colors of your wedding, or a different color ribbon each charm, selecting a different color for each attendant. The ribbons should drape over the outside of the back of the cake for the attendants to pull.
Some of the charms have more than one meaning. We have listed some of the different charms and their meanings:
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Anchor - Life of Stability, Hope and Adventure; Stability Yet Ongoing Adventures
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Cross - True Rewards
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Engagement Ring - Next to be Engaged; Next to Marry; A Desired Commitment to Happen Soon (and, if the attendant is married....Blissful Marriage)
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Floral Bouquet - A Blossoming Relationship
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Flower - Blossoming Love; The Flourishing of Love and Beauty
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Four-Leaf Clover - Luck Ahead; Unexpected Luck Throughout the Years; Good Luck
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Heart - True Love; Love Will Come; Life of Great Love Given and Received
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Heart with Arrow - Love Struck; Loving Heart
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Horse Shoe - Good Luck; Lucky in Life
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Key - Happy Home; The Key to Happiness Awaits You
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Lock & Key - Dreams Unlocked
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Rocking Horse - Happiness in All Domestic Relationships
Lucky Sixpence
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Lucky Sixpence For Your Shoe.
The sixpence coin comes from England and was last minted in 1967 under Queen Elizabeth II. The sixpence is meant to be a treasured keepsake to be handed down from generation to generation. It is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the bride who carries it in her shoe on her wedding day. The other symbols of this old nuptial rhyme can be found under Wedding Traditions & Their Origins.
Unity Candles
The lighting of the Unity Candle by the bride and groom symbolizes the pledge of unity between the bride and groom and the merging of the two families. The Unity Candle ceremony is usually performed after the exchange of vows and rings and before the bride and groom are pronounced "husband" and "wife".
Prior to the wedding ceremony, a large single Unity Candle and two side candles are placed in holders and arranged on the altar or a small table.
Traditionally, the mothers light the individual side candles (using a small taper candle) at the beginning of the wedding ceremony after being escorted down the aisle and before being escorted to their seats. The mother of the groom lights the candle on the right and the mother of the bride lights the candle on the left. As an alternative, both sets of parents may come forward at the beginning of the Unity Candle ceremony to light the side candles representing their family.
During the Unity Candle Ceremony, the bride takes her side candle and the groom takes his side candle and simultaneously they light the single large Unity Candle between them and then return their individual candles to their holders. As an alternative, the bride and groom may wish to light the Unity Candle with the candles their mothers used to light the side candles, leaving their side tapers in their holders and lit.
The bride and groom may decide to extinguish the tapers or leave them lit. Extinguishing their individual side candles symbolizes the extinguishing of their two separate lives and their commitment to one another. Keeping the side candles burning symbolizes that their individualness is not extinguished, even though they are united in marriage.
Memorial Candles
Honor the memory of loved-ones at your wedding ceremony or other celebrations with a personalized Memorial Candle. Memorial Candles can be personalized with up to three names.
Many styles of unity candles, unity candle holders, memorial candles and fancy tapers are available and can be purchased at your local party or wedding supply store.
Presentation of Roses
In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a Red Rose. Two roses are all that is necessary. In the old language of flowers, a single rose always means "I Love You". The Rose Ceremony is placed just after the Unity Candle ceremony and may be added to any wedding ceremony. If there are children coming into the ceremony, there should be a red rose for each of them also.
Bride & Groom's Parents The presentation of roses by the bride and groom to their parents symbolizes their affection and appreciation for the love which has brought them to this, their wedding day. Together the couple present roses to the bride's parents and then to the groom's parents, uniting the families in this joyous celebration.
Mother(s) and Grandmother(s) The bride and groom may choose to honor their mother(s) and grandmother(s) with a rose. The rose symbolizes many things, among them eternal love. They may have special roses to present, or if the bride has roses in her bouquet, she may with to remove a rose for each of the mother(s) and grandmother(s) from her bouquet and present them. (Note: roses may also be given to female guardians or godparents.)
Surprise everyone by keeping this part of the ceremony a secret until the moment you present the roses to them.
Family Medallions
The Family Medallion, designed by Dr Roger Coleman, is oval and has 3 equally merged circles. It is given to children (from second and subsequent marriages) during a special ceremony at the wedding service, signifying the creation of a new "blended" family. Two circles represent the marriage union and the third circle symbolizes the importance of children within the family.
After the couple exchange vows, the bride and groom present each child with a Family Medallion (pendant or lapel pin), providing a unique opportunity to pledge their love and support to those children either spouse brings to the marriage.
The presentation ceremony which comes with the Family Medallions can be adapted to any wedding tradition. The ceremony, "Celebrating the New Family", was written by Dr. Roger Coleman. An outline of the ceremony can be found in the vows and ceremonies section.
Circle of Friendship
While playing a slow song the disc jockey or mc invites the guests to form a circle around the bride and groom on the dance floor. As a wireless microphone is passed around, each guest is given a chance to give their best wishes, refer to a special moment, or give their words of wisdom to the bride and groom.
Compiled by the Special Event Network Staff
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