| The countries of Scandinavia have some beautiful | | | | jewelry created with crystals in a matching color. |
| and unique wedding customs. A bride of | | | | Another widespread tradition in Scandinavia |
| Scandinavian descent may wish to add a few of | | | | involves trees. In Denmark, an arch of pine |
| this wonderful traditions to her own wedding. | | | | branches called the Gates of Honor is created in |
| These are some of the rites and rituals that are | | | | front of the bride's home. The friends and family |
| found in weddings in Denmark, Norway, and | | | | of Norwegian couples will plant a pair of pine trees |
| Sweden. | | | | by their front door as a symbol of fertility. |
| Each Scandinavian country will have its own | | | | Another fertility symbol is the ring of |
| individual take on certain parts of a wedding, but | | | | motherhood, which is a gold band the groom |
| they do share many features in common. One of | | | | gives to his bride along with her wedding band. |
| the first things that all of the Scandinavian | | | | A lovely Scandinavian custom that you may |
| countries share is a trend towards very long | | | | enjoy in your own wedding is a bouquet of |
| engagements. Three or four years is not unusual, | | | | wildflowers and aromatic herbs. It is very |
| as it allows the couple plenty of time to get to | | | | common in Scandinavian nations for herbs like |
| know each other before making a lifelong | | | | rosemary (for remembrance) to be included in |
| commitment. In Scandinavia, a marriage is not | | | | the bride's bouquet. Another popular addition is |
| just about the bride and groom, but also about | | | | soft silvery lamb's ear leaves. Tie it all up with a |
| the family they will have in the future, so it is | | | | few pretty ribbons for the perfect natural |
| considered very important to be sure of your | | | | Scandinavian bouquet. |
| choice in a spouse. | | | | Some of the other wedding customs of |
| One custom that any bride would love to have in | | | | Scandinavia will sound very familiar to Americans. |
| her wedding is the Scandinavian wedding crown. | | | | Danish newlyweds will both hold the knife to cut |
| These beautiful crowns are symbols of innocence | | | | the first slice of wedding cake for good luck. In |
| that are passed down through generations of | | | | Sweden, the bride's parents will give her coins to |
| brides. They are delicate and airy, yet still quite | | | | put in her shoes to symbolize future wealth. This |
| heavy as they are made of precious materials like | | | | is quite similar to the last (sometimes forgotten) |
| sterling silver or gold. If you do not happen to | | | | part of our "Something old, something new, |
| have one of these spectacular crowns in your | | | | something borrowed, and something blue", which |
| family tree, you can have one handcrafted just | | | | is "and a sixpence in your shoe". Brides |
| for you and start a new tradition that you can | | | | everywhere are all hoping to have happy and |
| one day pass down to your own daughter. | | | | prosperous marriages. |
| The open and airy Scandinavian wedding crowns | | | | The wedding customs of Scandinavia are lovely, |
| often have gems or charms hanging from them. | | | | and would be a very nice way to honor your |
| In Norway, it is believed that the musical sound of | | | | heritage. Whether just the bride or groom hails |
| the silver charms tinkling around the bride's crown | | | | from that part of the world or both do, it is |
| will help to protect her from evil spirits. To accent | | | | always wonderful to add these types of personal |
| the crown, choose handmade wedding jewelry | | | | touches to your wedding. You will find that many |
| that complements the gold and silver of the | | | | of the Scandinavian wedding traditions can do a |
| crown. If there are any colored gems on the | | | | lot to make your wedding feel even more special |
| crown, you may want to have your wedding | | | | and meaningful. |