Would Your Rather...Burn Your Panties or Bury Your Youth?

Kimberley Lovato is a writer, mother and a broad living fabulously abroad, in Belgium.
Her monthly musings can be found at www.abroadinbelgium.com

Seriously, burning underwear? Isn't that odd? Seems like the underwear stay on more often after you're married, if you now what I mean. To use this picturesque expression in a sentence, it goes something like this, "No, I am sorry I can't join you for dinner, my friend is burning her panties that night". Or, mix it up and use it in the substantive: "Oh, that is the night of my sisters 'brulage'". I know what you are wondering...if women have to burn their undies, what must men have to do before their wedding? (besides the obvious going to church and thanking God they found someone to marry them).

The phrase for bachelor party or stag party is "l'enterrement de vie de>>> garcon". Translation: funeral (or burial) of the life of young man. I think>>> burning my La Perla sounds much more fun, non?>>> >>> This got me wondering...what are some other wedding/hen/bachelorette>>> traditions from home? Share share share, spare no details.>>> >>> Here are some fun wedding factoids I have picked up from friends.

1. It was in Italy, the land of love, that gold wedding rings first became popular, and it was also in Italy that the tradition of the wedding cake was first begun . Gotta love Italy.

2. During the Tudor period in England it became customary for the weddingparty to throw old shoes at the bride and groom's carriage; if the carriage was struck by a shoe it was considered a symbol of good fortune to follow.Make mine a Monolo Blahnik please. This must be where the tradition of tyingshoes to the bumper came from?

3. The traditional bridal trousseau, or hope chest, originated in France and came from the French word trousse, meaning bundle. Typically full of hand embroidered table linens and bed linens. A Bundle of nothing these days...did anyone have a trousseau at their wedding? I had a bundle of bills from paying for it! Tee hee.

4. In India, the bride traditionally wears red (white signifies death ). An important detail to know, non? Don't want to send the wrong message on your wedding day. I want to know more! Tell me your family traditions, national traditions, food served, clothes worn, your deepest wedding traditions learning to be
free. I'll share it all with fellow broads abroad. klovato@mac.com

Until then, happy June, and happy summer, and happy weddings, especially if it's your own. But don't get your panties too close the fire, or we may have to bury you with the boys.