There are others who say that before the advent of shampoo

Wedding day attire has changed in many ways, but one component of getting dressed up for a wedding that has withstood the test of time is the wearing of a wedding veil.

Though many brides know it is tradition to wear a bridal veil, many do not understand why. Here is a look at the history behind the veil and why it is continued to be worn today.

The veil and the bouquet that a bride carries may predate the wearing of white. Although there is no definitive reason for the wearing of a veil, many surmise it has to do with ancient Greeks and Romans' fear of evil spirits and demons. In fact, this is where many of the bridal traditions actually come from, including bridesmaids wearing similar dresses in order to serve as decoys for the bride. In an effort to frighten away or disguise the bride from evil spirits, brides-to-be were dressed in brightly colored fabrics like red and obscured by a veil. But in many cases, the veil prevented the bride from seeing well. That is why her father or another person "gave her away." He was actually escorting her down the aisle so she wouldn't bump or trip into anything. The veil also served as a method of shielding the bride's face from her future husband, especially in the cases of arranged marriages.

Superstition has it that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride prior to the wedding. A veil hiding her face also ensured that the groom would not see his soon-to-be-betrothed up until the ceremony.

Eventually the meaning behind the veil transformed as weddings evolved into religious ceremonies. The veil came to symbolize modesty and obedience. In many religions it is seen as a symbol of reverence for women to cover their heads. When white wedding dresses were worn to symbolize chastity, the white veil followed suit.

There are others who say that before the advent of shampoo, people didn't wash their hair as often and it could get quite dirty. The veil may have been a method to covering up unsightly hair.

Regardless of the origins, veils continue to be sported by today's brides, who choose from a few different styles. A flyaway is a short veil that ends at the shoulders, while a sweep veil ends at the floor. Chapel and cathedral veils follow the bride at a significant length (nine and 12 feet, respectively). A blusher is a very short veil that covers just the bride's face as she enters the ceremony. With a fingertip veil, the veil reaches the bride's waist and brushes at her fingertips.

The veil will coordinate with the style of the gown, and many wedding attire consultants suggest choosing the gown prior to the headpiece and veil.

New this year, Ballads & Brews offers live international maritime music and an assortment of Michigan craft-brewed beers from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13, and 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Veterans Memorial Park. See the Ballads & Brews music lineup here.

Daily admission to the festival is $8 and a souvenir passport, allowing guests to board and tour the ships is an additional $10. The passport is good for the entire weekend and allows free admission to Ballads & Brews.

Admission to the festival is free for children who are 36 inches tall or shorter who are accompanied by an adult, but they must have a passport to board and tour the ships.

Tickets can be purchased at Jack's Fruit & Meat Market or online here.

Volunteers make event smooth sailing

Kathy Czerwinski, board chairwoman of the festival and chief liaison officer, said it takes a small army of volunteers to make the Tall Ship Celebration happen.

She estimated this year there are more than 600 volunteers involved in the effort.

“Our goal is to make the visitors experience a good experience, an informed experience,” Czerwinski said.

She said there are about 32 volunteers working as ship liaisons, helping the crews with whatever they need while they’re in town. There are ship ambassadors stamping passports and helping people on and off the ships. Sea Cadets will assist both the ship liaisons and ship ambassadors.

Members of the Rotary Club of Bay City will help at the VIP tents. There are volunteers who will be positioned throughout the parks to answer questions and assist guests and volunteers helping out in the children’s craft area, among other things.

“They’re critical. They are critical to this event,” Czerwinski said of the hundreds of volunteers. “We couldn’t do it without the volunteers — without our small army of volunteers.”

Celebration goes beyond the waterfront

Roberts said the crowds and festivities during Tall Ship Celebration create a distinct feeling in Bay City, a town with maritime roots.

“There's a lot of positive energy around the festival. The ships are magnetic, people are drawn to them. It's almost palpable. You can almost feel it in the air,” she said.

Businesses in downtown Bay City join in the celebration, too.

“Almost all of the businesses, especially in the downtown area and probably on Midland Street, find a way to take advantage of the huge crowds that come to town for the festival,” Roberts said.

For instance, at Americana Co. Antiques, 912 N. Water St., visitors can stick a pin in a map to show where they’re from and write a message in neon colored markers on the store’s windows for all to see.

“Even locals can come down and sign the windows, leave a message,” said owner Howie Diefenbach. “It’s like a great big yearbook on the windows.”

The map and window messages allow Tall Ship Celebration guests to become part of the festival in a different way, he said.

A few doors down, at Sempliners Bride and Formal, 902 N. Water St., passersby can see window displays of antique bridal gowns, along with photos of the brides who wore them.

So far the store has about 50 wedding dresses on display, all at least 25 years old, said Manager Kim Grant.Show your nature beauty with the formal office dresses for women, which could help women confidence at everywhere.

Many have yellowed with age and feature long sleeves, lace and beading. Some are family heirlooms, passed from mother to daughter. Some were purchased at Sempliners.

And nearby Ward Studio and Painterly Pottery, 904 N. Water St., has an array of nautical and pirate-themed pottery in stock for people to paint and staff will be in costume for the event, among other things.
Click on their website wwww.marrybride.com for more information.