There are many wonderful reasons to have a June wedding

June is upon us, and that means it is wedding season. In the United States, June is the most popular month for weddings (in case you are curious, the least popular is January). There are a number of reasons why June is so frequently chosen for weddings, ranging from weather to custom to some surprising practicalities. The weather in June is certainly one of its' most appealing aspects. It is a time of year when it is reliably warm in the North, but not blazingly hot yet in the South. However, the heritage of June weddings is much older than this country, dating back at least to the Romans. The month of June was named for Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage, hearth, and home. It was only natural that a couple would want to start their life together under her protection. A funny and practical reason for the popularity of June weddings was that back when bathing was infrequent, people took their annual bath in May (yes, I did say annual!). You may wonder why May did not become the leading month for weddings, what with everyone being at their freshest then. May has long been considered to be an unlucky month for marriages, in part because it was the month when the Romans held the Feast of the Dead as well as the Festival of the Goddess of Chastity. Apparently, very few people felt that death or chastity were auspicious omens for their marriages. In fact, there is even an old saying, "Marry in May, rue the day!" There are many beautiful flowers in bloom in June, with roses being chief among them. Brides have always loved roses, and they come in an incredible array of shapes, sizes, and colors. From the tiniest minature rose to the lushest grand floribunda, there is a rose that is right for almost every taste. They also hold up well in heat and humidity, which makes them a practical choice for a summer wedding. Other wonderful flowers for June bouquets include hydrangea, peonies, lavender, and lisianthus. Pearl bridal jewelry has always gone hand in hand with June weddings. For one thing, the pearl is the June birthstone. In addition, there is an ancient belief that if a bride wears pearls on her wedding day, she will shed fewer tears during the marriage. Pearl bridal jewelry has been worn by many famous brides, including Queen Elizabeth II and Jacqueline Kennedy, which adds to the appeal. Brides married at any time of the year love pearls for their lustrous glow and soft radiance. Like roses, pearls are available in many shapes, sizes, and colors. There is the classic round white akoya pearl, the gray baroque pearl, and even unique and informal keshi or coin pearls. In celebration of the season, offer your guests the freshest seasonal delicacies at your June wedding. Some of the summer's best flavors include ripe berries, asparagus, sweet corn, zucchini, melon, and tomatoes. Dishes should be light and tasty; avoid heavy sauces and creamy soups. Also keep the weather in mind if your reception will be outdoors. Buttercream frosting will melt and run in the heat, but fondant will hold up beautifully.