According to the Chinese calendar, 2021 is the Year of the Ox but we’ve decided to proclaim 2021 as the Year of the Wedding! After couples around the world had to cancel or postpone their weddings in 2020, wedding season is back and bigger than ever this year and the excitement is real.
We’ve heard from a bunch of brides and wedding planners recently who are prepping for their June weddings and it made us wonder, why is June such a popular month for weddings (other than the weather trending in the right, sunny direction)?
So, here is a fun historical look at The Tradition of the June Bride.
When it comes to weddings, folklore and superstitions abound.
Why is it that June is the most popular month to marry in western culture? The reasons are many, starting with the most practical of all: If a bride married in June, she was more likely to give birth to her first child in early spring, giving her plenty of time to recover before the fall harvest.
Many sources say that the tradition of the June bride actually began in ancient Roman times. The month of June is named for the Roman goddess Juno. Juno, wife of Jupiter, was not only thought of in connection with feminine vitality, fertility and considered a protectress of Roman women, but also considered the equivalent of Hera, the Greek goddess of love and marriage.
It is also often cited that the popularity of a June wedding in European tradition is because bathing was much less frequent during middle ages than in modern times. During this time period bathing was thought by many to increase the chance of disease so nobility tended to only bathe monthly or a few times a year. The peasant class might only bathe once a year, if that often and that bath usually happened in late spring. So it made sense to marry in June because people would have smelled better for their weddings. Brides also carried bouquets of fragrant herbs and flowers to help keep everything smelling sweet.
Another reason for the popularity of June weddings stems from Europe during medieval times. Of course, because Europe was predominantly Christian, a wedding would not have taken place during Lent (which is still true in many modern churches) and the banns have been read over at least three consecutive regular Sunday masses. This meant one had to wait until late spring to marry, after the banns had cleared. The banns was an announcement of the intention to marry and an opportunity for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place. Banns were (and still are in some places) read out in the main Sunday service in the parish where the bride lives as well as the church where is groom lived if that is in another parish.
Luckily, bathing came into vogue during the eighteenth century, but the tradition of carrying flowers was carried on and during the Regency era brides often wore flowered wreaths on their heads. Therefore, it stands to reason that weddings would most commonly take place when the best selection of fresh flowers would be available.
Zooming ahead (pun intended!) to recent years, MoodClue markers have become increasingly popular with brides, grooms, wedding planners and mothers-of-the-couple. Unique signage using liquid chalk markers that can fit with any color scheme and blackboards or mirrors is a great way to add some personalized flare to a wedding, bridal shower or bachelorette party. We particularly love the “Signature Cocktails” signs.
Are you a bride or groom who had fun signage at their wedding? Or a guest who saw a fabulous sign? Send us your photos or tag us in your posts – #MoodClue. Best wishes to all the brides, grooms and their families!
About MoodClue
MoodClue liquid chalk markers are perfect for weddings, bridal showers, bachelorette parties and more! MoodClue markers are available for purchase on this website and on Amazon Prime. Prices range between $14.95 and $24.95. All of our markers are eco-friendly, non-toxic, odorless and dustless. For drawing ideas, visit our Pinterest and Instagram pages. Brought to you with love by a mother-daughter duo.