In one of Jane Austens book we learn that the usual way of getting the daughters married in those times, was to have them enter society one at a time. Once the older one was safely married, then you would introduce the next one into the society. And so on from the eldest to the youngest. If you were to let all your daughters out at the same time, they would, in effect, be competing for the same same eligible bachelors.

This used to be a real pain for the bachelors themselves, who might not be real keen on the older daughters. It wasnt a picnic for the younger daughters either. Some of them lived in dread that they would end their days husbandless all because their older sister didnt have what it takes to get a husband.

We see this in Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew. Here the father was quite adamant that, as was the custom, the older daughter had to marry before he would consider letting his younger daughter get married. But since the younger one was an absolute delight, and the the older had the charm of a grizzly bear, the gentleman who wanted the young one for his wife, had a real quandary on his hands. Unless he could persuade a friend to do him the favour of marrying the sour puss, it looked like his life as a husband would end before it ever began.

The custom of having the older girl marry before her younger sister, still persists in some cultures and has added traditions to the modern weddings. In some cases it is automatic that the older sister is appointed the main bridesmaid to give her as much exposure as possible among the marrigeable bachelors who might be expected to be around.

The other is also the spotlighting of the unmarried sister by having her perform a dance bare-footed at the reception. While this is usually done on the dance floor, if the lass can be persuaded to do it on the top of a table, so much the better. While the symbolism is explained as bringing good fortune to the bride and groom, realistcally its a cry of, Hey, look me over, Im every bit as desirable as my younger sister.

Vlady Peters

Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant performing weddings, naming, renenewal of vows and commitment ceremonies both for Australian citizens and for overseas couples visiting friends and relatives in Australia.

She is the author of two traditionally published books, "The Complete Book of Australian Weddings" and "The Small Organisation Handbbook" and is in the process of releasing two ebooks dealing with weddings and honeymoons.

Her major interest is research into customs and traditions of weddings.

By going back to the roots of customs, she believes couples can more clearly differentiate between what is essential in a wedding ceremony, and what is merely a personal preference.

This allows them to choose a ceremony reflecting their own situation within the framework of legal requirements.

Vlady has a bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Government, and has studied the writing of novels and romances. She has written children picture books as well as novels.

She is a member of Queesland Civil Marriage Celebrants - the largest Civil Marriage Celebrants Association in Australia - as well as member of Celebrants' Training Association.

She is also a member of Australian Authors, as well as Romance Writers Association where for a number of years she was the Convenor of the prestigious Emma Darcy Award - Australia's leading Lady of Romance.