The institution of marriage is something that is recognized the world over. It is the union of two persons who profess their love for each other and the event that unites the two souls is the wedding ceremony. For most, it involves the swearing of an oath; a promise that they would be there for each other through all the phases in their lives and with the hope that it would be a life lasting relationship.
Often, the ceremony is followed with much pomp and splendor, with a reception that is a way of telling those close to the couple getting married that they are finally unified in a relational knot that could only be severed by the couples themselves. Some celebration could be a whole day long, and in some Asian countries, the newlyweds are “shown off” to the guests with a beautifully rendered platform, sitting either inside the parent’s house, or a multipurpose or even a dining halls, locations fast gaining ground with the more affluent families.
Another custom which found its place in wedding ceremonies in all then different cultures are the exchanging of gifts between the bride and the bride groom as well as the giving away of gifts to the guests, courtesy of the newlyweds or their respective parents. The latter would range from simple plastic flowers, but more ornately designed items.
They would often follow the wedding favor or theme opted by the soon-to-be married couple. A traditional wedding would see traditional gifts – heart shaped soap, or a small potpourri case, perhaps, with a small tag thanking guests for their presence at the reception and their blessing to the newlyweds. A more modern wedding ceremony might opt for something along the lines of corporate door gifts.
For the second instances, gifts could range from luxurious silk scarf for the female guests and fashion accessories for the male guests, to more exotic items; miniature champagnes and fine wines, for example, for those who could afford some extravagance and luxury. The choice of gifts for the guests often boils down to where and how the wedding ceremony is conducted. What’s important is that they are wholly appropriate.
There are however some unusual wedding gifts; items which could perhaps be categorized as unique to be point that one would never think of having it in their list of things given away, to both guests as well as their partners in the marriage.
In one example, the friends of a fruit planter getting married came up with this highly unusual way of dispensing gifts that are unique in their own way. They had set up a decorative table filled with a good number and variety of fruits, and placed small paper bags on the end of the long table. Guests knew exactly what to do after the reception. They just took a bag or two each and proceeded to fill them with the juicy raspberries, apples, oranges, grapes, avocados, to take home.
It was an ingenuous idea which was certainly fun for the guests as well. The only drawback is that some could start hogging their favorite fruits leaving the others without that particular variety in their respective paper bags. You’d certainly hoped the guests would understand the reasoning behind the unique concept and behave amiably when going on their fruit picking!
A more bizarre example and highly unusual gift was recorded centuries ago when a bride – incidentally a country in the middle east – was given a battered battle armor of the bridegroom in a somewhat exotic way of showing her his total love and devotion. Giving something similar in current times would be highly inappropriate, but if your loved one can accept it, there is no law that says otherwise.
Another example would be the very romantic, not to mention extravagantly luxurious gift of the Taj Mahal from the legendary Indian ruler Shah Jehan to his wife. History has it that the beautiful structure located in New Delhi India and covering an estate of about thirty hectares in size was built from the foundation upwards in a show of total affection for his bride. It was a testament of his devotion that has lasted till today and stands proudly as a magnificent reminder of a romantic age.
No matter how unusual it would seem for others for such items to be given away as a sign of a person love for another or simply to highlight the ceremony, they are but part and parcel of the union of two souls. What could more appropriate than something so unique and personal to start a beautiful journey together – or to coin a much used phrase – for better or for worse.
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