According to western lore, the month of June became a popular month for European weddings because June was the one month of the year during which people smelled their best.
Allegedly, Europeans did not takes baths until the late Spring. Even when they did, the freshness did not last.
As an insurance policy against noticeable body odor, freshly-cut flowers were used lavishly so that their smell was stronger than that of the bridal party.
Why else would the bride cling to a bouquet of flowers while wedding vows were exchanged?
So, is such western lore true?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Having one’s wedding in June was a way to honor the goddess.
Europeans did enjoy baths and made use of public bath houses.
Then the Bubonic Plague arrived and changed people’s opinion about public baths.
“Hence, bathing, particularly at bathhouses, became connected with the spread of diseases.”
Now that routine bathing is en vogue, having weddings in June is not necessary, but there is no harm in continuing the custom.
Thankfully, another ancient marriage custom is no longer en vogue in western societies: arranged marriages.
Granted, nowadays, a groom can always consult with his groomsmen before saying, “I do.”
Featured Image by Nitido 2007 at Wikimedia Commons.
The “Wanted” posters say the following about David: “Wanted: A refugee from planet Melmac masquerading as a human. Loves cats. If seen, contact the Alien Task Force.”