West many many many years ago.. Brandylady and I are probably the only ones who can remember:)

Seriously. in the old days, bed sheets were hung out to show the marriage had been "consumated" and then there was rejoicing..

Even the bible mentions.. Deutronomy. I forget the verse..

"If a man takes a wife and, after laying with her, dislikes her and slanders her and gives her a bad name, saying, 'I married this woman but when I approached her, I did not find proof of her virginity,' then the girl's father and mother shall bring proof that she was a virgin to the town elders at the gate. The girl's father will say to the elders, 'I gave my daughter in marriage to this man, but he dislikes her. Now he has slandered her and said, 'I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.' But here is the proof of my daughter's virginity.'

The proof my friends will be the bed sheet..