Ancient Knots
Ancient Romans believed a vein called the “vena amoris” ran from the fourth finger of the left hand straight to the heart, which is why this is worn there.
What is the wedding ring?
This musical and film are set around the preparations for Sophie’s wedding on a Greek island as she searches for her real father.
What is Mama Mia?
At the close of a Jewish wedding ceremony, the groom traditionally does this to a glass, often met with shouts of “Mazel tov!”
What is stomping on / breaking it?
William and Kate married in 2011 at this London abbey, also the traditional setting for British coronations.
What is Westminster Abbey?
Whitney Houston took this power ballad from The Bodyguard to the top of the charts in 1992, though it was written and first recorded by Dolly Parton.
What is "I Will Always Love You"?
The rhyme “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” has a lesser-known final line about placing this coin in the bride’s shoe.
What is a (silver) sixpence?
Julia Roberts repeatedly bolts from the altar in this 1999 romantic comedy co-starring Richard Gere.
What is Runaway Bride?
Derived from a Sanskrit word, this term names the art of adorning a bride’s hands and feet with henna before a South Asian wedding.
What is mehndi?
Harry and Meghan married in 2018 in St George’s Chapel at this royal residence west of London.
What is Windsor Castle?
Adele's cover of "Make You Feel My Love" became a modern wedding staple, but the song was written by this folk-rock legend for his 1997 album Time Out of Mind.
Who is Bob Dylan?
Thought to come from the custom of newlyweds drinking mead (made from honey) for a full cycle of the moon, this word names the post-wedding getaway.
What is the honeymoon?
This 1994 Hugh Grant film follows a circle of friends through several ceremonies and one sad occasion.
What is Four Weddings and a Funeral?
This old Celtic ceremony of binding a couple’s hands together with cord or ribbon is widely cited as the origin of the phrase “tying the knot.”
What is handfasting?
In 1956, Hollywood star Grace Kelly gave up her film career to marry this ruling prince of Monaco.
Who is Prince Rainier III?
Etta James made this 1960 recording her signature song, though it was originally written in 1941 for a Glenn Miller film.
What is "At Last"?
Lace is the traditional gift for this wedding anniversary, a milestone some superstitiously consider unlucky.
What is the 13th anniversary?
In Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the action is framed by the impending marriage of Theseus to this queen of the Amazons.
Who is Hippolyta?
Rooted in the era of slavery and still practiced today, this tradition has the couple leap together over a household object to mark their union.
What is jumping the broom?
Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who married in 2008, share a famous devotion to this single-digit number, reflected in album titles and their April anniversary.
What is four (4)?
A favourite at wedding ceremonies, the gentle Fleetwood Mac ballad "Songbird" was written and sung by this band member, who recorded it alone at a grand piano in an empty Berkeley auditorium.
Who is Christine McVie?
By legend, the tiered wedding cake was inspired by the spire of this London church on Fleet Street, modeled by a baker’s apprentice.
What is St. Bride's Church?
In this Charlotte Brontë novel, the heroine’s wedding to Rochester collapses when a lawyer reveals he already has a living wife hidden in the attic.
What is Jane Eyre?
In Italy, guests are given an odd number of these sugar-coated almonds, often five, representing wishes like health, wealth, and happiness.
What are Jordan almonds (confetti / sugared almonds)?
Widely credited with making the white wedding dress fashionable, this monarch wore one in 1840 to marry Prince Albert.
Who is Queen Victoria?
Eric Clapton wrote this 1977 ballad while waiting for Pattie Boyd to get ready for a party; she had earlier inspired George Harrison's "Something."
What is "Wonderful Tonight"?