Best of my Love Trivia Quiz

Answer: Richard Wagner

The German composer Richard Wagner wrote the opera "Lohengrin" in 1850. The "Bridal Chorus" from this song is often used in formal weddings throughout much of the Western World. There are many reasons that the use of this piece of music might be considered ironic.

While used at the beginning of a wedding as the bride enters, in the opera it is used after the wedding and as the new bride is being led to the bedchamber. Also, the wedding between Lohengrin and Elsa is an immediate and almost catastrophic failure.

Many of the wedding guest are slaughtered shortly after this piece of music is played.

Answer: Red

For many years brides wore the most expensive dress that they owned. Color did not matter. But after Queen Victoria elected to be married in a white lacy wedding gown to indicate her purity and virginity, the custom took hold in the Western world. But in traditional East Asian wedding, it is much more common to see the bride wearing red.

The Chinese believe that red is a color of good luck, strength, and fertility, and have worn red to weddings for centuries. In many parts of the world, it is now becoming increasingly common to see modern weddings which mix Western wedding practices with local traditions.

Answer: At the end of the wedding the shoe will indicate who will be married next.

Some areas of Turkey have a lovely tradition in which all unmarried women attending a wedding sign the brides shoe or slipper. After the ceremony, the dancing, and all the celebrating, the bride takes off her shoes. It is thought that whoevers signature fades the most will be the next to get married.

It is similar to the practice of throwing the bridal bouquet. Seen in many English speaking countries, the bride will throw her bouquet backwards over her head. All unmarried women stand in a group behind her, and it is thought that catching the bridal bouquet indicates that the catcher will be the next to get married.

Answer: They break plates and other old crockery.

Instead of having a bachelor party or a bridal shower, the family and friends of the bride and groom engage in a practice known as "Polterabend" on the night before the wedding. This tradition involves the throwing of old plates and other crockery at the ground in front of the couples new home.

It is thought that the broken crockery brings good luck for the couple. Guests bring old dishes and throw them in front of the house. Shattering into thousands of pieces, it is said that broken crockery brings good luck.

The brides family will often provide something to eat and drink, although it is not a large meal or feast. This practice is not restricted to plates and bowls, as porcelain tiles, sinks and toilet bowls may also be thrown.

Answer: India

The Indian practice of "Mehandi" is centuries old and is still practiced regularly. During a small party before the wedding, the bride has her hands and feet painted with very intricate designs. Henna is used, and these temporary tattoos last about a month.

Answer: Broom

There are many diverse cultures around the world who include jumping over a broom as part of their wedding celebrations. This practice can be found in the Gypsy, Scottish, and Hungarian culture. It can also be found in some African-American populations, especially the Caribbean regions. Exact practices vary slightly, but all indicate the start of a new family and home.

It is believed to bring luck, fertility, and happiness to the new marriage. The exact origins of this practice are a topic of disagreement among cultural historians.

Answer: False

This is false, as this description fits a Jewish wedding. Wedding ceremonies vary widely among the many Jewish cultures, but the breaking of the glass to shouts of "Mazel Tov" (congratulations) and lots of dancing is commonly found. The merging of bride and grooms family is also celebrated.

A traditional Jewish wedding is often held outside under a Chuppah or wedding canopy which is intended to symbolize the new family being created and the new home that they will share.

Answer: Peruvian cake pull

In Peru, the single female wedding guests engage in what is known as a Peruvian cake pull. In this charming wedding tradition, charms are attached to ribbons which are tucked between the layers of the wedding cake. Before the wedding cake is cut, each single woman grabs one of these ribbons and pulls.

At the other end of one of the ribbons is a fake wedding ring. The woman who picks that ribbon is thought to be the next to marry.

Answer: Chimney Sweep

King George II is said to have decreed that chimney sweeps were good luck after one saved his life. Since that time, it has been considered a good omen for a bride to see a chimney sweep on their wedding day. Many professional chimney sweeps offer a wedding service that involves them showing up at the wedding with a handshake for the groom and a lucky kiss for the bride.

Answer: True

In some areas of Australia brides will carry a horseshoe over their arms for good luck during the wedding service. While in the past a real horseshoe was used, today they are often crocheted from ribbon and lace. The horseshoe is thought to bring good luck to the new couple.

It may also be related to the ancient Greek tradition that the horseshoe symbolized a crescent moon which is associated with fertility. The horseshoe is also thought to be even luckier if it came from one of the hind feet of a grey mare.