Well, the day finally arrived...and I am so tired, and of course happy! Let me give you a run down of all that has happened. I woke very early this morning to the sunlight streaming into my window. I was sad that Nero would no longer be my husband, but I was happy because it was my wedding day. I got dressed quickly and ran to the room where are the gods are stored. I kneeled down on my face in front of them and asked them to give me a good wedding day. I felt as if they gave me their blessing. I rushed inside after that and started getting ready. My dress was simple, but very fitting and beautiful. We had the wedding ceremony ( since most the people I am writing to know about the traditionalism of it all, I will not go into great detail of everything we did) and later returned to our new home. There were many people that came to give us their blessing. Now, I am so tired! Being a mother of a newborn and a new bride can tire a person!
Vale habeque somnia suaves! (Good night and sweet dreams!)
Livia Drusilla Augusta
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Author's Note:
Weddings in the Roman day were much like ours today. As a symbol of engagement, the couple would exchange rings and wear it on the third finger of their left hand, if, of course, they could afford to even purchase rings! An engagement period was not required, but it was considered "good manners." On the night before the wedding, the bride would give her bulla, the locket that one received at birth, to her father. She also gave many of her things to the family. On the day of her wedding, the mother of the bride would help her put on her dress, which was usually a long straight tunic that came all the way down to her feet. The most important part of the outfit was the belt tied in the knot of Hercules. Hercules was said to be the guardian of wedded life, and only the husband could untie the knot. A flame colored veil covered the dress and the bride had to gather flowers for a wreath on top of her head.
To make a wedding ceremony legal, there had to be witnesses, usually ten. The wedding was held at the bride's father's house where the bride and the groom had to appear before a priest holding hands. The bride had to consent to the marriage by saying these words, "Quando tu Gaius, ego Gaia," which meant, "Where you are Gaius, I then am Gaia." After the words were spoken, the bride and groom made an offering to Jupiter, which typically consisted of cake. After a big dinner, the groom escorted his bride to his house. He would carry his bride over the threshold of the house, and special guests were allowed to come into the house to celebrate the new marriage.
Roman women preparing for wedding
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