The Sweet Marriage of Honeymoons and Mead

After the vows are said and the toasts have been made, after the pictures have been taken and the cake cut and served, one tradition of a wedding is left for the bride and groom to enjoy. The honeymoon. Though you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t understand what the honeymoon is all about, there are few people anymore who know why the period of consummation of the wedding vows is called what it is. Where did the word “honeymoon” come from?

It comes from mead. Well, to be more specific, the name comes from the gifting of mead to the betrothed couple. Since medieval times, Welsh, German, and Scandinavian cultures, among many others, have toasted the new couple at their wedding celebrations and then gifted them with enough mead to last them a month. So, honey wine for a good thirty days. Or a moon. Hence, honeymoon. The mead was believed to bring both good fortune and luck. It was also rumoured to be an aphrodisiac, helping the couple to become more fertile and ensuring virility. 

What is mead? 

The short answer is that it’s honey wine. Fermented honey and water, mead is often enhanced and flavored with spices, fruits, hops, and grains. The concoction has been called “the drink of the Gods” for centuries and continues to hold its place as a welcomed tradition during many celebrations throughout the world. 

If you have any questions about mead, our staff would be happy to help you select one that suits your taste preferences. Check out our selection online or visit us at our north Garfield location to discover the full line of local and award-winning meads available.