Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata – Wet bride, lucky bride is a well known Italian proverb and at first glance it is one of those strange proverbs that doesn’t appear to have much sense but there is reason there to be found and it can be traced back to rural life and the agricultural rhythms that characterized it.
Just think of how the rain especially in the past represented a fundamental element for the irrigation of fields and so to allow the growth of crops.
It was the rain that ensured that abundance.
The concept of fertility for the earth, mother, woman, rain all wrapped up in in one conceptual package to ensure fertility, abundance and good fortune to those who are preparing to marry.
Add that to the age old tradition of throwing rice at the newly weds and the latest fashion of the bride bursting with a pin, large helium filled balloons then releasing many more white smaller balloons which shoot up into the sky and there can be little doubt about the meaning behind these traditions.
Francesco Coli and Elena Lupetti were married this afternoon in Palazzo Pancrazi in Barga Vecchia in front of a large crowd of family, friends and on lookers.
The rain played an important part in the proceedings but did little to dampen the enthusiasm in the air for the happy couple.
