Single ladies–it’s your day to propose

Did you know that February 29, aka Leap Year Day is the day when women propose to men? It’s the Sadie Hawkins Dance for proposals.

The tradition of a woman proposing on a leap year has been attributed to various historical figures. One, although much disputed, was St Bridget in the 5th Century. She is said to have complained to St Patrick that women had to wait too long for their suitors to propose. St Patrick then supposedly gave women a single day in a leap year to pop the question - the last day of the shortest month. Another popular story is that Queen Margaret of Scotland brought in a law setting fines for men who turned down marriage proposals put by women on a leap year. Skeptics have pointed out that Margaret was five years old at the time and living far away in Norway. The tradition is not thought to have become commonplace until the 19th Century.

Propose now Bessie, or I’ll hit you with my cane.

The practice of women proposing in a leap year is different around the world. In Denmark, it is not supposed to be 29 but 24 February, which hails back to the time of Julius Caesar. A refusal to marry by Danish men means they must give the woman 12 pairs of gloves. In Finland, it is not gloves but fabric for a skirt and in Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered unlucky, leading many couples to avoid it.

Forget engagements, I think it’s the perfect day to get married. Then you’d only have to remember once every four years, and it could be a big celebration.

Little old lady gets married on her 100th birthday

Dana Jackson and Bill Strauss were married on Dana’s 100th birthday. The groom is 87. Get it, girl!

The two were married at their nursing home in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

She’s so cute. And LUCID! Good for her.

The video shows her bachelorette party at a diner, her pretty gown with lengthy train, and a little wisdom from a woman who made it to 100.

Bill is blind, so he can’t see his bride until she reaches the end of the aisle. 

My favorite quote from Dana:

It’s not what you’ve got, it’s what you make out of a marriage.

Aw.

Whitney Houston’s wedding to Bobby Brown

As you’ve undoubtedly heard, Whitney Houston died over the weekend at the age of 48. Since this is a wedding blog, and not a sad times blog, let’s look at her happier days – specifically, her wedding to Bobby Brown.

Photo from Washington Post

Whitney Houston married Bobby Brown on July 18, 1992, at her home in New Jersey. There were about 800 guests at their wedding. The two met while attending the Soul Train Music Awards in 1989. She was dating Eddie Murphy when they met. I guess Whitney found someone better for party-all-the-time fun. You’re welcome for the link.

Recently, Whitney Houston’s been more infamous for her drug use and erratic behavior than her singing and acting, but in 1992, she was the Biggest Thing Ever. This wedding was a Brad-and-Angelina big deal.

Pics from LipstickAlley
Here’s their wedding altar – dripping with roses!

Wedding details from an article in Ebony, thanks to the Classic Whitney site:

Diane Johnson, who has been designing Houston's stage and personal wardrobes for years, co-designed the bridal gown with Marc Bouwer. "Whitney wanted to keep it a very simple design," says Johnson, who runs a boutique in East Orange, N.J., Houston's hometown. "The Lyon lace, imported from France, is the finest lace in the world. The lace made the dress." In addition, Johnson designed the groom's white double-breasted silk tuxedo and the bridesmaids' purple silk floor-length gowns with trains.

Purple, purple, everywhere!

Among the attendants were two of Houston closest pals, recording artists Priscilla (CeCe) Winans Love and Perry (Pebbles) Reid. The best man, Brown's brother, Tommy, and the groomsmen, who included Houston's brother, Michael,   were all attired in Johnson-designed purple tuxedos with matching purple alligator shoes that were custom-made in Italy. The four flower girls and three ring bearers were adorable in white and lavender.

"Purple is Whitney's favorite color," Johnson emphasizes. "She wanted everything in purple and lavender and white. She even decorates her Christmas tree in purple."

The couple exchanged identical platinum wedding bands. Hers had the words "Love, Bobby" in cut-out script, while his read, "Love, Whitney."

After Brown enthusiastically declared, "I do!!" and the couple were pronounced husband and wife, the guests were awed as seven white doves were released outside the gazebo. The couple then sealed the union with a long, passionate kiss during which Brown literally lifted his bride into the air as the jubilant guests applauded.

Looking happy!

Their reception lasted over 12 hours, and the couple went on a lavish honeymoon – a wedding present from their record companies.

I do not like the body language here. He looks like he’s taking possession of her, and her hands are twisted behind her back, as though she’s in handcuffs. Am I reading too much into this? Since they divorced: NO.

The two had one daughter – Bobby Kristina. They separated and divorced in 2006.

Aw, so pretty and 80s! I know it was the 90s, but there’s always a hangover for the first few years. The headpiece makes her look more ethereal, but I always loved her gorgeous, naturally voluminous hair.

Drew Barrymore engaged–again!

I can’t not love Drew Barrymore. I find her adorable. I remember once, YEARS ago, I was listening to some Rabbi-hosted talk show at, like 3am. The topic was love, relationships, or marriage, and for some reason Drew Barrymore called in. I guess she was up and randomly listening to talk radio too! She gushed about  love, and good for her, right? It doesn’t work out for her, but she always loves again anyway.

So, in that same vein, Drew Barrymore is engaged again. I thought she was still dating “Mac” from the Mac vs. P.C. commercials, but she’s been dating Will Kopelman since 2010. She says she’s already dreaming about the wedding.

She’s been married twice before. Her first marriage lasted one month, and her second marriage lasted about six months.

Her second husband was Tom Green, a comedian my husband inexplicably loves. This is for you, weirdo!

My husband: :D Me: :|