16 June 2010

All Roads Lead to Rome-June Weddings

Thank you to The Family Curator-June Blogger's Almanac for the writing prompt on June weddings.

June is one of the most popular months to get married in.  This tradition came about in Roman times.  June was the month dedicated to worshipping Juno, the Roman Goddess of marriage.  June couples felt their marriage was deemed lucky and blessed by the Gods.  They believed they were destined for happiness and prosperity if they married in June. 

Another take on the popularity of June weddings is that if a couple were married in June, then they could conceive a child and give birth before the harvest season.  The wife would be able to recover from the birth and be of help to the family.  Nothing like getting the most out of your new bride!

Another more absurd idea came from the medieval era, it was believed that a June wedding was held because they had their yearly bath in May and would still be "clean" in June.  Wedding bouquets would mask any smell.  The idea of medieval yearly baths has since been proven false.

In honor of June weddings, here is a list of my ancestors with June wedding dates:
  • Edmond Freeman and Bennet Hodsoll married 16 June 1617 in Cowfold, England
  • Nathan Webster and Mary Haseltine married 30 June 1673 in Haverhill, Massachusetts
  • William Salisbury (I) and Lydia Thomas married 18 June 1729
  • William Salisbury (II) and Elizabeth Beal married 28 June 1753 in Braintree, Massachusetts
Do you have June weddings in your family history?  As they say in the song, 'June Brides' from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"- Oh, they say when you marry in June, you're a bride all your life.

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