Did you know that many customs date back to the Victorian era? Women began wearing a white wedding dresses, the veil was adopted, and evening weddings became fashionable. Even today every bride knows that it is bad luck to go to the ceremony without something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue hidden in her wedding attire.

One custom, however, is almost forgotten. China tea cups were common wedding presents given the newlyweds by friends and family. Of course, at that time, no couple could register to get everything in one pattern, guests chose whatever they could afford. In the end each young family had an assortment of different patterns and styles.

In due time the friends would drop by and pay a visit to the new household. The challenge for the hosts was to remember the visitors' gifts so that they could serve them tea  in the cups they gave.

I heard this fun story from Jean Marks, a BRO wedding coordinator, who revived part of the custom. She invites prospective clients for tea to start a hectic chapter in the couple's life with this relaxing, aromatic drink.

Today a tea cup might not be considered a proper wedding gift, but it is certainly a great idea for showers and bridesmaids; the more patterns, the more fun!