The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE GIRLS IN THE FAMILY, WHO WERE GETTING MARRIED,
NEVER FOLLOWED THE TRADITION IN CATHOLIC FAMILIES
OF PRESENTING A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS TO THE BLESSED
VIRGIN AFTER THE WEDDING CEREMONY. INSTEAD,
THERE WOULD BE TWO LIGHTED CANDLES AT THE SIDE OF
THE BRIDE AND GROOM. AFTER THE VOWS WERE RECITED
THE LIGHTS FROM THE TWO CANDLES WOULD BE BLOWN OUT AND
ONE CANDLE WOULD BE LIT SIGNIFYING THE UNION OF THE
MARRIED COUPLE. THE LIT CANDLE WOULD BE PLACED
BEFORE THE STATUE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN INSTEAD
OF THE BOUQUET OF FLOWERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-22-1970