What about the origin of "toasting"? As drink goes, wine has always been central to the wedding, even mentioned in the Bible. The first recorded toast was given at a Saxony feast in 450 A.D., by a woman who became a bride herself before the end of the evening.

British King Vortigern was so moved by the sentiment: a simple "Lord King, be of health," offered by Rowena, daughter of the Saxony leader Hengist, that he proceeded to make passionate love to her. Intoxicated by the drink and possible love, he then bargained with Hengist for her hand. A deal was arranged whereby Hengist received the province of Kent in exchange for her hand. Vortigern and Rowena were married that same evening. From that time forth, "to life, to health, to love," has been a part of the toasting tradition, as glass touches glass and a chorus of clinks heralds a festive time for all.

At one time, the toast literally involved scorched bread. In the days when wine was regularly decanted, it left much more sediment than our modern bottles do. So the French cleverly placed a piece of toast in the bottom of the cup to absorb the dregs.

A competent toaster drank everything to get to the toast at the bottom because decorum dictated that one drain the glass.

So good wishes were often accompanied with the dictum, "Bottoms up!" Today the good wishes remain but happily the actual soggy toast has disappeared.

And finally, the clinking of glasses after a toast scares away the devil who is repelled by the noise.