Chopper-Chris

I went to a wedding this weekend that was so traditionally British that it (almost) made me cry. I hadn't realised how different British and American weddings actually are until I got here two years ago and attended a few and it was excellent being at such a British style wedding in the middle of Manhattan. Complete with top hat and tails...roast beef and BISTO gravy...even the wedding vows, this was a British wedding to remember...

The company that pulled all this together were called Candlelight Designs (www.candlelight-designs.com) a British event decorator and party planner now working in the USA...I thoroughly recommend them (I know that this is supposed to be non-commercial and if I'm stepping over the mark, I apologize expats.com!)

I just thought it was an excellent idea to help British/American couples add a bit of their own national style into the overseas ceremony.

NC Penguin

Just curious. Were the couple getting married both British or was one British?

I would find it kind of odd that an American (native born) couple would choose to have a British style wedding.

Chopper-Chris

The Bride was a beautiful British (Sheffield) born girl and the guy was a Native New Yorker - (makes me want to break out into song). Actually, she had a lot of ideas and traditional aspects to include herself, it was very '4 weddings'



I can see why the US citizens would want to have a British style wedding, everyone wants something different and many have claim to the old country in some (even sentimental) way

Mtravelkay

NC Penguin wrote:

    >
    > I would find it kind of odd that an American (native born)
    > couple would choose to have a British style wedding.
    >

Why? I think it is odd that many people have Star Trek weddings.

Exile

"Chopper-Chris" wrote:
    > I went to a wedding this weekend that was so traditionally British that
    > it (almost) made me cry. ...even the wedding vows


I must admit that I like the idea of standard British vows as the thought of
having to make up my own makes me cold!


Andy

katesuiter1

I just picked up some proper Bisto gravy last week after discovering a British food store nearby!

Corey and I will be going to the UK to have a full church blessing when our finances allow us. It'll be intruiging, as he's never travelled outside the US before, and he's always teasing me about my t-bags and bland cooking!!!

Kate. xxxx

Exile

"mtravelkay" wrote
    > Why? I think it is odd that many people have Star Trek weddings.


I think that's quite likely the most sensible thing that I've heard you say
;-)


Andy

Exile

"katesuiter1" wrote:
    > It'll be intruiging, as he's never travelled outside the US
    > before, and he's always teasing me about my t-bags and bland cooking!!!


I thought that American's didn't like anything unless it was either bland or
99% sugar ;-)

I'm lucky that my fiancee loves the British national dish - curry - but we
have to drive almost an hour to our closest Indian restaurant!


Andy

katesuiter1

Corey's mum used to cook really spicy food, so it doesn't help that his tastebuds have taken a good kickin', but my food is exceptionally bland! I'm only just experimenting with stir-fry and burritos, and I'm a little stingy with the spices, but I'm learning! My poor stomach doesn't know what hit it, though!!! The furthest I got to spicy while I was in the UK was that tomato flavor pasta sauce!

Kate. xxxx

ShirlelyandRay

What is a traditional British style wedding? curious..lol

Mtravelkay

ShirlelyandRay wrote:

    > Originally posted by NC Penguin
    >
    >>Just curious. Were the
    >
    > couple getting married both British or was one British?
    >
    >>I would
    >
    > find it kind of odd that an American (native born) couple would choose
    > to have a British style wedding.
    >
    > What is a traditional
    > British style wedding? curious..lol
    >

Well, the order in Britain is

1. Wedding
2. Wedding
3. Wedding
4. Wedding
5. Funeral

L D Jones

mtravelkay wrote:
    >
    > NC Penguin wrote:
    >
    > >
    > > I would find it kind of odd that an American (native born)
    > > couple would choose to have a British style wedding.
    > >
    >
    > Why? I think it is odd that many people have Star Trek weddings.

Or get married underwater in scuba gear or get married in a church...

shepslady

Ok so whats new about 4 Weddings & A Funeral?? Im sure we've all seen that by now & coming from a British background its really just more formal than the weddings Ive been to here in the US. The first US Wedding I attended was a real eye opener for me. The Bride & Groom didnt even travel together from the Church to The Reception & after the Bride & Groom did the money dance thing the Groom took off with some of his mates to spend the money??
Guess the only part of A US Wedding I dont like is the cake in the face thing. When my husband & I got to have a wedding celebration here in The US, when it came time to cut the cake I firmly told him, while smiling that he better not even think about smashing it over my face because I am not American & its not how we do it. He laughed & gently fed it to me in the nicest way possible. Such a disappointment to our family & friends but like he told them he was the one going home with me that night & not them!!
Cheers
Shepslady

Den Murray

What is a traditional British wedding?

As a Brit who married in Britain, but am now living in the US I guess that I
have a couple of thoughts on the matter.

First of all there are some differences between a traditional Scots, Welsh,
Irish and English wedding, and even within those countries there are
regional differences and traditions.

However, I think that most people would agree though that a traditional
British wedding is in ones own parish church, using an old prayer book
service.

In England, the 1662 Prayer Book remains the authorised version (although
more modern language are permitted as well) the text of the 'Solemnization
of matrimony' service is here
http://www.eskimo.com/~lhowell/bcp16.../marriage.html. This is the
service using the beautiful Cranmerian language of the 17th Century.

The welcome (which begins the service) truly amazed some of our American
friends, who really couldn't believe it! I repeat it here ... do read it,
as it is worth reading!

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in
the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in
holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time
of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt
Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with
his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is
commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not
by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or
wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts
that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly,
and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was
ordained. First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be
brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his
holy Name. Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid
fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might
marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body. Thirdly, It
was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought
to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy
estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man
can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let
him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

Beautiful language, beautiful girl, beautiful day ... happy man!

D


"ShirlelyandRay" <member21679@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Originally posted by NC Penguin
    > > Just curious. Were the
    > couple getting married both British or was one British?
    > >
    > > I would
    > find it kind of odd that an American (native born) couple would choose
    > to have a British style wedding.
    > What is a traditional
    > British style wedding? curious..lol
    > --
    > I didn't know what love was before Ray
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Chopper-Chris

Your post is fantastic!

I am an advocate of the traditional opening too, brings back fond memories (I have to admit thought that it was strange to hear it with an American accent).

Hmm, as for the previous comment, Curry as a 'wedding breakfast' (and I havn't heard tyhat term for a while) sounds good but I'm not sure about the wedding night with a belly full of Birminghams finest...



Chop