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:
