SHOW OFF AT A COCKTAIL PARTY

1. "Tie the knot" comes from Roman times, when the bride wore a girdle tied in knots that the groom later untied.
2. The Roman goddess Juno rules over marriage, the hearth, and childbirth, hence the popularity of June weddings.
3. Princess Victoria established the tradition of playing Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" during her wedding processional in 1858.
4. The bride stands to the groom's left during a Christian ceremony, because in bygone days the groom needed his right hand free to fight off other suitors.
5. On average, 7,000 couples marry each day in the United States.
6. Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve are the two busiest "marriage" days in Las Vegas -- elopement central!
7. The Catholic tradition of "posting the banns" to announce a marriage originated as a way to ensure the bride and groom were not related.
8. Stag parties were first held by ancient Spartan soldiers, who kissed their bachelor days goodbye with a raucous party.