As I watched the bridesmaids lead the procession to the chapel with the bride following them with her family, I was drawn by their cheerful disposition on that occasion. The tradition of the brides maids goes back to a few hundred years.
I listened to a senior pastor talk about what the brides maids symbolise. They announce the arrival of the bride to those waiting for the wedding at eh wedding hall. They are often ladies who have had a friendly relationship with the bride. They give the bride the support, encouragement and assurance all of which is what most brides would need at the time of wedding. The brides maids offer to surround the bride with their love and offer themselves to be available as friends thereafter. Most brides maids would stay in touch with the bride as faithful companions in the journey of life. The brides maids are chosen from among the unmarried friends of the bride(There was an exception to this at this wedding). because, the bride in turn gives them confidence to walk into their marriage later The bride is a messenger of good news to the brides maids that when their times comes, they too would have friends supporting them in a similar way. The bride receives support and offers confidence to the brides maids to prepare themselves for their turn.
As I listened to this symbolic meaning, I realised that the bridesmaids are an integral part of a wedding because, they silently offer the bride the enablement to enter into marriage with trust and confidence. The brides maids in turn return from the wedding with a joyful anticipation for their wedding.
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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