THE ORIGIN OF THE WEDDING TOAST
What about the origin of “toasting”? As drink goes, wine has always been central to the wedding, even mentioned in the Bible. The first recorded toast was given at a Saxony feast in 450 A.D. by a woman who became a bride herself before the end of the evening.
British King Vortigern was so moved by the sentiment: a simple “Lord King, be of health,” offered by Rowena, daughter of the Saxony leader Hengist, that he proceeded to make passionate love to her. Intoxicated by the drink, possible love, and definitely greed, he then bargained with Hengist for her hand. A deal was arranged whereby Hengist received the province of Kent in exchange for her hand. Vortigern and Rowena were married that same evening. From that time forth, “to life, to health, to love,” has been a part of the toasting tradition, as glass touches glass and a chorus of clinks heralds a festive time for all.
Once it literally involved scorched bread. In the days when wine was regularly decanted, it left much more sediment than other modern bottles do. So the French cleverly placed a piece of toast in the bottom of the cup to absorb the dregs.
A competent toaster drank everything to get to the toast at the bottom because decorum dictated that one drain the glass.
So good wishes were often accompanied with the dictum, “Bottoms up!”
Today the good wishes remain but happily, the actual soggy toast has disappeared. And, clinking of glasses after a toast scares away the devil who is repelled by the noise.
THE ORIGIN OF DANCING AND GAMES
Ancient weddings dances were communal and symbolic of life giving and beginnings. The first dance of the bride and groom leading to their dancing with the guests was to give them strength from the community before they retired to the bedchamber.
THE ORIGIN OF THE BRIDAL BOUQUET TOSS
Guests invaded the bridal chamber and threw the bride and groom’s stockings. The one whose throw landed on the bride or groom’s nose was the next to marry. It was customary in the 14th century for the bride to toss her garter to the men. Sometimes the men would get drunk, become impatient, and try to remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom evolved for the groom to remove and toss the garter. By the end of the 14th century, the groom was throwing the bride’s garter to prevent their being rushed at the altar. With that change, the bride started to toss the bridal bouquet to the unwed girls of marriageable age.