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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Guest Blog: Barbara White Daille talks about Weddings! #RB4U #Romance

I do, I do…love wedding romances!

Romance novels tend to lead to happy or happy-for-now endings.  For me, there’s something very special about learning the bride and groom plan to tie the knot…to make their relationship permanent. Maybe it’s the satisfaction of knowing they’re taking the first steps toward their shared future. Maybe it’s the relief of seeing they’ve made it through the ups and downs of the book to have a future together.

Chances are I’m not alone in loving these stories, as many books either revolve around or wrap up with the bride and groom on their wedding day. 

My current series is set at a small-town ranch with a hotel that caters to weddings and honeymoons, which means there are always wedding plans in the works! Writing the books made me want to learn more about traditions and superstitions associated with saying “I do.” Researching the topic was fun—and full of surprises.

Many of us might be most familiar with seeing a bride dressed in white. In some cultures, the choices range from white, to yellow and red, and to black. 

While the brides and grooms in some families are showered with rice at the end of the ceremony, other couples may be pelted with confetti, bird seed, or peas. Most of these traditions are meant to wish the newlyweds good fortune, long life, fertility, or a plentiful harvest.

During the reception, many brides still toss their bouquets over their shoulders to unmarried female guests, and the grooms take and toss the bride’s garter to the unmarried males. Among other meanings, this is supposed to ensure the winners of the tosses will be next in line to be married—though not specifically to each other!

I was once in a cousin’s wedding party as a junior bridesmaid, and even at that age, I couldn’t miss hearing the saying that the bride must wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue—and a lucky penny for her shoe.” 

In general, “something old” is for tradition and ties to the past. “Something new” provides good fortune going forward in life. “Something borrowed” (especially from a woman who is happily married) is intended to pass along good luck for the new couple. And “something blue” represents love and fidelity. The penny is, of course, a wish for wealth for the newlyweds.

Do you have any traditions of your own to share?  Or have you heard about or seen any other traditions or customs?



From the cover of A Rancher of Her Own:

A REASON TO STAY

Ranch manager Pete Brannigan has no interest in playing tour guide to a city slicker like Jane Garland. But spending a few days with the headstrong photographer is a small price to pay for everything her grandfather has given the single dad. Though Pete's drawn to Jane's sharp wit and striking beauty, he won't hurt his young children by falling for another woman who puts her career before family. 

Jane's seen the world through her camera…and used it to shield her emotions. With Pete, she can finally let her guard down. If only he could do the same. Despite their powerful bond, Pete still can't trust Jane with his kids or his heart. But if he keeps pushing her away, he may ruin any chance their relationship has to develop.

Find A Rancher of Her Own:

About the Author:

Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest. Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven’t gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom.

When she was very young, Barbara learned from her mom about the storytelling magic in books—and she’s been hooked ever since. She hopes you will enjoy reading her books and will find your own magic in them!

Barbara’s new series, The Hitching Post Hotel, features a matchmaking grandpa determined to see his three granddaughters wed. The series began in April 2015 with The Cowboy’s Little Surprise and continues with A Rancher of Her Own (July) and The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal (December).

She loves to chat with readers, and you can find her and more about her books online at the following locations:

Blog 


11 comments:

Rose Anderson said...

I enjoyed the post, Barbara. My husband and daughter are both celebrants and in the ceremonies they perform, they sometimes include an element of handfasting such as a cord wrapped around the clasped hands of the bride and groom. Thanks for joining us today. Best luck on your newest.

Cara Marsi said...

I enjoyed reading about wedding traditions. I followed all the traditions when I married, but didn't make any new ones. Your "wedding" series sounds great.

Barbara White Daille said...

Thanks for hosting me today, RB4U!

Readers - romance and weddings are two of my favorite topics, and I'm looking forward to chatting with you about them.

Barbara White Daille said...

Rose - I'm happy to be stopping by for a visit!

There are so many ways to mark the moment "two become as one," aren't there? I love hearing about new traditions.

Thanks for sharing - and for your good wishes.

Barbara White Daille said...

Hi, Cara - there's something to be said for establishing new traditions, but the old traditions make a wedding very special, too. They give the ceremony added meaning and link married couples into something bigger - just as holiday or family traditions can bond individuals in a family. IMHO, of course. :)

Thanks a bunch for your comment about the series! I'm having lots of fun writing the books, and readers are telling me they enjoy them, too.

stanalei said...

Weddings are one of the most special days for a couple. I love the traditions and I love the surprises when the couple throws in something different. Wonderful post!

Barbara White Daille said...

Hey, Stanalei - thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

I agree - it's great when the old and new come together. And I love when people adopt one of those surprises and turn it into a new tradition. Maybe I'm just a creature of habit? lol

Thanks for stopping by.

jean hart stewart said...

An appealing post, especially since my house is agog with wedding plans for my grandson in three weeks. Good luck with all your books....

Melissa Keir said...

Weddings are so very romantic. I was recently at a wedding and they played music which was meaningful to them rather than the traditional wedding march.I really loved that! It meant so much more to me to listen to the music and hear what they felt about love and their upcoming marriage.

All the best with your book. I love westerns!

Barbara White Daille said...

Oh, how fun, Jean! And talk about tradition. It must be wonderful for grandparents and great-grands to see another generation grow up and get married. I've lost track of how many times my grandmother had that pleasure.

Best wishes to your grandson and future granddaughter-in-law.

And thank you for the good-luck wishes, too - they're much appreciated!

Barbara White Daille said...

Waving hello, Melissa.

Oh, I'm with you on those westerns! There's just something about a guy in a cowboy hat and tight-fitting jeans.... ;)

I agree about the music. As much as I like tradition, I also think it's so nice when couples make the ceremony and festivities personal to them. One of my favorite parts of the reception is when the bride and groom dance to "their" song.

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