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German Toasting Glasses.com

October 20th, 2008

Over the past years I have seen and experienced a multitude of wedding traditions. This summer I welcomed the knowledge of an authentic Swedish wedding. All of these experiences have, in turn, created all sorts of new ideas in my mind. As we know traditions are all about bringing the old into the new and honoring a special cultural aspect. For an upcoming wedding in Seattle my bride will be using her family’s German toasting glasses. The story is interesting and ultra romantic, the ritual is a fun twist on the champagne toast. Enjoy!

The Legend of the Nuremberg Bridal Cup

Centuries ago, in old Nuremberg, the noble mistress Kunigunde fell in love with a young and ambitious goldsmith. Although Kunigunde’s wealthy father (a powerful nobleman) did not approve of this pair, it was clear that she only wanted the goldsmith to be her husband as she refused many titled and rich suitors who asked for her hand in marriage.

Her father became so enraged that he had the young goldsmith thrown into the darkest dungeon. Not even his daughter’s bitter tears would change her father’s mind.

To her father’s dismay, imprisoning the young man did not end his daughter’s love for the goldsmith. Instead, he could only watch as his daughter drew paler and paler as a result of the separation from her true love.

The wealthy nobleman reluctantly made the following proposal: He told his daughter, “If your goldsmith can make a chalice from which two people can drink at the same time without spilling one single drop, I will free him and you shall become his bride”.

Of course he was certain nobody could perform such a task…

Inspired by love and with skillful hands, the young goldsmith created a masterpiece, He sculpted a girl with a smile as beautiful as his own true love’s. Her skirt was hollowed to serve as a cup. Her raised arms held a bucket that swivels so that it could be filled and then swung towards a second drinker.

The challenge was met. The goldsmith and the nobleman’s daughter joined hand in marriage and with the bridal cup set forth a romantic and memorable tradition as charming today as it was originally hundreds of years ago.

To this day and to many couples the chalice remains a symbol. Love, faithfulness and good luck await the couple that drinks from this cup.

 

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