THE BELLS A-RINGING

On any weekend this month, churches ring out the joyful bells of a wedding. The tradition of getting married in June or being a June bride began in Roman times, the month’s name being derived from Juno, a Roman goddess associated with all aspects of womanhood, but particularly marriage and childbirth. Her festival day was celebrated on the first of the month. The popularity of a June wedding continued through Victorian times, some say because of the abundance of available flowers, which would mask the body odour of the attendants. Now, it is more likely that couples want to time their celebrations to coincide with long, bright days and the prospect of sun.