Tunnel Entrance at Weddings

PM_Mama00 · #1 09-27-2005, 10:27 PM

Ok so I always loved this at the weddings I've been to in NY and I've never seen it done in Michigan.

When the bridal party is announced, the ushers line up on one side, the bridesmaids across from them, and then when the bride and groom are announced, they put their arms up to make a tunnel. Sometimes if there are ribbons on the bouquets the guys hold the ribbons. Then the bride and groom circle around once or twice or something, and then finally go through.

What is the meaning of this tradition? Cuz I love it and when I get married I'd love to do it.

valkyrie · #2 09-28-2005, 01:04 AM

Please tell me this is a joke.

PM_Mama00 · #3 09-28-2005, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by valkyrie
Please tell me this is a joke.

Why? It's actually a really nice tradition.

_Lisa_ · #4 09-28-2005, 11:41 AM

I haven't seem them circle around twice but my cousin Kim (who is from Atlanta) walked through a "tunnel" after she & her husband were announced. It was done after the wedding as they walked down the aisle & out of the church.

All the bridesmaids & groomsmen lined up & they created the tunnel w/ their arms. The bridesmaids had little bouquets w/ ribbons hanging down so my cousin & her husband walked through the ribbons & continued down the aisle.

Sistermadly · #5 09-28-2005, 12:25 PM

I've seen it done at military weddings, but generally it's just a military honor guard who holds up sabers (swords) for the bride to pass through before the ceremony, and again after the couple is married.

UKTriDelt · #6 09-28-2005, 09:26 PM

Ooh I don't think I'd want to walk through people's arms like that. I just have visions of wafts of bad B.O. hitting me in the face as I walk through or someone's arm knocking my hair out of place. Walking under people's arms just seems a little cheesy... I completely respect the military sword tunnel though, much cleaner looking overall.

valkyrie · #7 09-28-2005, 09:31 PM

Isn't the tunnel something they do in square dancing? I tried to look it up earlier, but there are only so many square dancing sites I can handle in a day.

xo_kathy · #8 09-28-2005, 09:58 PM

I've never seen the circling here (NY), but when the dj asked me if I wanted to do the tunnel I said "No way! I hate it. We don't do it where I'm from and I think it's cheesy" (Yes, I'm a Michigander). He laughed and said it's starting to become unpopular and he only gets the request about half the time now.

No clue on the history of it...

PM_Mama00 · #9 09-28-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xo_kathy
I've never seen the circling here (NY), but when the dj asked me if I wanted to do the tunnel I said "No way! I hate it. We don't do it where I'm from and I think it's cheesy" (Yes, I'm a Michigander). He laughed and said it's starting to become unpopular and he only gets the request about half the time now.

No clue on the history of it...

Lol that could be true, seeing as though my last NY cousin to get married was in 1995! I duno I like it!

xo_kathy · #10 09-28-2005, 10:15 PM

But they are also Brooklyn Italians, right? They are a group that still do it a LOT. My friend just married a NJ Italian who isn't even that "into" his culture and they did the tunnel!

RedRoseSAI · #11 09-28-2005, 11:06 PM

They do it at Orthodox Jewish weddings. The bridesmaids get really into it with all sorts of flowers and garland. Of course, my observation is based on having attended exactly 1 Orthodox Jewish wedding.

kdonline · #12 09-29-2005, 02:43 AM

I've been to a few Orthodox Jewish weddings & I don't recall it being done...so I don't think it's part of their ceremony.

The only time I've seen a tunnel was when the groom was in the Navy.

I think it's just something that people have picked up on...kind of like the "throwing of the garter."

(I didn't have a tunnel, nor did I throw the garter...but I DID toss my bouquet.)

RedRoseSAI · #13 09-29-2005, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kdonline
I've been to a few Orthodox Jewish weddings & I don't recall it being done...so I don't think it's part of their ceremony.

I wasn't during the ceremony, it was at the reception. At any rate, it was an interesting experience to say the least.

LightBulb · #14 09-29-2005, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sistermadly
I've seen it done at military weddings, but generally it's just a military honor guard who holds up sabers (swords) for the bride to pass through before the ceremony, and again after the couple is married.

Awesome!

WCUgirl · #15 09-29-2005, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sistermadly
I've seen it done at military weddings, but generally it's just a military honor guard who holds up sabers (swords) for the bride to pass through before the ceremony, and again after the couple is married.

We sort of had this. It was done immediately after we had been married, on our way down the aisle. The Honor Guard had their swords raised, and right when we got to the end the last guy lowered his sword so we couldn't pass through. Then I got "whacked."

We didn't walk through one entering the reception, though.