The FINANCIAL — Since olden times, lots of young women work on gathering their bridal trousseau, even before they become engaged.
The tradition is maintained but over time the items on the trousseau have changed. Brides today don’t bother with embroidered linens, wool blankets or featherbeds. However, there is still a place in today's weddings for a modern version of the bridal trousseau.
Neli Koiava is mother of 4 daughters. Her first daughter is already married. The trousseau price reached 5,000 GEL (3,000 USD). “I had been collecting the trousseau of my first daughter since she was born. My husband helped me as well. The trousseau included double satin blankets, double mattresses, feather pillows, linen and of course bedroom furniture,” said Neli Koiava. “Now, for my other daughters I can’t afford to buy the same thing for their trousseau. But, the basics such as linen and towels will be in their trousseau list. Also, it may be wise to give them crockery,” she added.
Nowadays, young women don’t learn the skills of fine needlework that were so important in previous decades. Young women used to spend years creating special pieces for their marriage trousseau. But these days, most couples let the wedding guests take charge of the items they need to have.
“We knew that none of our guests would come without presents to our wedding. Therefore we told them what we needed, and we received presents which we needed. All European and American couples do the same,” said Maya Javakhadze. She married two years ago and neither her fiancé nor his family believe that Maya didn’t have a trousseau. “All of this is just fine, but there is one part of the bridal trousseau that you should consider taking care of, and that is fine lingerie for your wedding night and honeymoon,” Maya recommended to future brides.
Elegant lingerie and nightwear are very beautiful details of a modern bridal trousseau. Fine lace and chiffon accents make the trousseau more elegant. Besides, the robe that is necessary after a shower is one of the components of trousseau. The average price of this style of lingerie is 35 USD.
The idea of having a dowry was widely practiced in Europe. In Homeric times, the usual Greek practice was to give a bride piece. Dowries were exchanged in the later classical time (5th century BC). Ancient Romans also practiced dowry, though Tacitus notes that the Germanic tribes practiced the reverse custom of the dower.
Beautiful wedding jewelry is something that you will enjoy wearing for many years after the wedding. “Imagine you are wearing the wedding jewelry that your groom gave you. This is a great privelege for me,” said Nino Asatiani, a future bride. “A woman preparing for a wedding, honeymoon and new life certainly needs new things. For me a trousseau is things that make sense for my lifestyle, things that I love. Future brides should collect things they need anyway and not those items that are determined by traditions. But I believe that all the things should be new,” she added.
A trousseau is the possessions, such as clothing and linens, which a bride assembles for her marriage. Throughout history, single young women all over the world have prepared for their change in marital status by accumulating a trousseau.
According to a particular trousseau book a traditional trousseau included: 1000 Tumani (100GEL), bedroom furniture made from walnut wood, linen, 2 mattresses, 2 blankets, 6 big pillows and 2 smaller, 2 cushions, 2 bolsters, 8 chemises, 8 night-dresses, differently embroidered towels, 2 gloves, socks, a housecoat, 2 pairs of boots, an overcoat, 10 dresses and a bridal dress, carpet and wall carpet, rug, a pair of gold earrings, a gold brooch and 3 gold rings.
“The trousseau used to be sent the day before the wedding. It was a theatrical show. The whole district would see the property of the bride. Each item was delivered separately by maids. Often, the clothes, towels etc. were hand-sewn by the mother, aunt, grandmother or the girl herself. It was symbolic of transition and, of course, the family's financial status,” explains Georgia, an ethnographer.
The trousseau had several positive functions. In case of divorce all or part of her dowry must be returned. Therefore, a bride’s property and a bride herself were protected as she had no rights to her husband’s inheritance.
“A trousseau is the property that a bride's family gives her husband upon the marriage. It’s a type of payment or gift of property. This is an important part of the financial arrangements of a marriage. However it depended on family’s economic circumstance. It included personal possessions such as clothing and jewels, money, servants, or land.”
Life is about love and money, and the trousseau is where the two meet.
