The White Dress

There was a time when the bride would wear her favorite or best dress to the ceremony. 

In biblical times, most dresses were blue because blue symbolized purity and fidelity. Over time this has evolved from wearing blue clothing to wearing a blue band around the bottom of the bride's dress and to modern times where the bride wears a blue or blue trimmed garter. 

In 1840, Queen Victoria broke the tradition of royals wearing silver and instead wore an elegant all white gown to her wedding. She started a fashion trend which quickly caught on and continues to this very day. 

The color white has been a symbol of joyous celebration since early Roman times. 

Today, it holds its original meaning of happiness and joy.  

The Veil 

The origin of the wedding veil is unclear but it is thought that it predates the wedding dress by centuries. 

The origin of the veil is unclear, but it is older than the harem.  

One explanatin is that it rises from the mists of mythology. Ishtar, ancient Goddess of Love, came from the depths to her betrothed, the vapors of the earth and sea covering her "like a veil."

Another explanation is that it is a relic of the days when a groom would throw a blanket over the head of the woman of his choice when he captured her and carted her off. 

Yet another explanation is that during the times of arranged marriages, the bride's face was covered until the groom was committed to her at the ceremony - so it would be too late for him to run off if he didn't like the look of her!

It is also thought that the veil was worn to protect the bride from evil spirits that would be floating around on her wedding day.

Veils came into vogue in the United States when Nelly Curtis wore a veil at her wedding to George Washington's aid, Major Lawrence Lewis.  

Major Lewis saw his bride to be standing behind a filmy curtain and commented to her how beautiful she appeared.  She then decided to veil herself for their ceremony. 

Giving Away The Bride

In olden days, female children were deemed to be the property of their fathers.  When it came time for the daughter to marry and her father approved of the arrangement, he was actually transferring ownership of his daughter to the groom.  

Today, it is symbolic of the blessings and support of her union as a promise of  continued trust and affection. 

Bride On Groom's Left

This tradition dates back to the time when marriage might take place by capture (the groom would kidnap the woman). 

The early Anglo Saxon groom often had to fight off other men who would want the captured woman. By having the bride stand to the groom's left, the groom would have his right hand free for his sword if he needed it. 

The "best" warrior in the tribe stood by the groom and was responsible for helping defend the bride, thus the placement for the modern day best man. 

Groom Gives First Vows

Because he is the initiator, he is the first to state his vow for marriage. 

As the initiator of the covenant, the groom is to assume the greatest responsibility in the marriage.

The Wedding Ring

The marriage ring represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love. It is a representation of the promises joining both the bride and groom together. 

In ancient times the wedding ring was thought to protected the bride from "evil spirits". 

Back then, when life was much harder and oftentimes shorter, husbands practiced a superstitious ritual to ensure their wives' spirits wouldn't leave too soon.

The husband would wrap the bride's ankles and wrists with ropes of grass believing this would keep her spirit within her. Over the years, as religious beliefs evolved, the meaning (and material) of the bonds evolved as well. 

A bride's engagement ring and wedding ring are traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand (the finger next to your little finger).

Although there is no precise evidence to explain the origin of this tradition, there are two strongly held beliefs.

The first, dating back to the 17th century, is that during a Christian wedding the priest arrived at the fourth finger (counting the thumb) after touching the three fingers on the left hand '...in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost'.

The second belief refers to an Egyptian belief that the ring finger follows the vena amoris, that is, the vein of love that runs directly to the heart and was the perfect place to place a symbol, representing eternal love and commitment.

The circular shape of the wedding ring has symbolized undying, unending love since the days of the early Egyptians. 

Encircling the finger, it reminds the couple that they each surrounded by the other's enduring love. 

It signifies that two souls are joined in life-long ties.

The Wedding Kiss

No ceremony is complete without the kiss. 

In fact, there was a time when an engagement would be null and void without one. 

Dating back from early Roman times, the kiss represented a legal bond that sealed all contracts.

The kiss that seals the wedding is much more than a sign of affection.

It has long been a token of bonding -- when two people kissed a part of their soul was left in one another with the exchange of breath, symbolic of the union of those two people. 

With the kiss, each partner sends a part of the self into the new spouse's soul, there to abide ever after. 

The kiss, occurring at the end of a ceremony is an announcement of the status of the newly formed couple and their public commitment to one another

"Marriage is,  without compare, the most important  commitment two people  make in their lifetime . . . It is a Union to enter into reverently."

 Sean, the Groom 
The man who won the bride's heart, 
and her mother's.

Because I love you truly,
Because you love me, too,
My very greatest happiness
Is sharing life with you.

Please click on the photos for enlargements.

Family & Friends

The Greeting, Declaration of Intention and Wedding Ceremony was graciously performed by a US Coast Guard Certified Captain.

Nothing could be more dramatic and memorable than Kristen's and Sean's heartwarming and beautiful wedding-at-sea ceremony, officiated by a formally dressed captain with a foliage-draped wedding arch topped with fresh flowers enhancing the backdrop view of blue skies, a gentle azure sea, and a setting sun.

The Wedding Processional

The Mother of the Bride, Patricia >> A Song for My Daughter Audio	The Mother of the Groom, Debbie >> A Song for My Son Audio
For as long as I can remember… You were always by my side, To give me support, confidence and help. For as long as I can remember… You were always the person I looked up to, So strong, so sensitive, so pretty. For as long as I can remember… You always provided stability within our family, Full of laughter, full of tears, full of love. For as long as I can remember… And still today, You are everything a mother should be. Whatever I have become is because of you… … and I thank you forever for our relationship.

Here comes the bride...

>> Processional in D Audio

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