All About Weddings

Book excerpt: From the engagement to the honeymoon, the act of getting married is surrounded with tradition and superstition. In All About Weddings, the ultimate question-and-answer book on matrimony, light is shed on the mysteries behind the rituals and rites of marriage; the past, present, and future of the enduring ceremony are explored worldwide; and the meaning of everything from boutonniere and confetti to woo and wet bargain is explained. Along the way you’ll also discover: What is the origin of the word "wedding" Why does the bride throw her bouquet? What is a shivaree? Why are cakes served at weddings? Where did the expression "tie the knot" come from? Why does a bride have bridesmaids? How did the custom of a dowry originate? How did "stag parties" originate? What is the highest-grossing wedding movie of all time?