That’s because you live in the modern world where you don’t have to carry or lift anything heavy. Once upon a time you would have to be wealthy woman to avoid building any upper body strength.
Also, I meant you should be able to carry someone your own size, not your larger spouse.
How old are these guys? That could be really relevant. For her, too. Falling even a couple of feet onto your rump could result in a broken hip if she’s getting on.
As a data point, though. When I was about 25 years old, maybe 130 pound, I spent a few months helping a woman about the same size into and out of beds/chairs/toilets and it wasn’t a big deal. Of course I didn’t have to carry her for any distance, just put my arms under hers, lift and pivot.
Maybe I can try and sweep Ms. P off her feet when she gets home from work tonight.
This is an area where having a petite spouse is advantageous. My better half weighs just under seven stone.
When I pick her up, it’s like I’m carrying a tween or lightweight teen, and just like when carrying kids, it’s all in how they hang on.
I have very weak arm muscles but would still be able to carry a 130 lb woman over a threshold, and a 120 lb person for longer than a room’s distance even just in my arms. However, I do weigh 200 lbs. I’ve lifted people larger than that when they asked me to help them crowdsurf at concerts, but they may have been bracing against other people and I didn’t have to move.
I didn’t know carrying the woman over the threshold was still a thing in this day and age.
I have no idea if it is or isn’t. Unlike most of the other wedding traditions (throwing rice, the bouquet and the garter, etc.), it’s something that wouldn’t happen in public.
My friend got carried out after he damaged his leg. Partly by other guys, but mostly by the woman. Because her lower height made her less fragile, and mostly because her wider hips / narrower waist meant she could piggy-back him with most of his weight on her hips.
Just depends…
30 years ago? - No problem.
Today? I probably could if I had to, but wouldn’t try it otherwise (I’ve known people with back injuries, they’re no joke.)
Well sure - but the blokes I know all live in the modern world and have desk jobs too. That’s my point - if you’re a woman you have to practise your upper body strength and hardly anyone does. If you’re a guy, you don’t have to practise. Men put on muscle, by my standards, sickeningly easily, and it doesn’t appear to fall away the second you miss a day at the gym either.
You may also possibly have missed the bit where I point out my husband is smaller and lighter than me 
Doesn’t actually help enough.
My (average to short) teenage daughter by contrast can pick up all her mates (not quite her dad yet…working on it). But she does rock climbing twice a week, martial arts another two times, and has obvious biceps. To get to average bloke standard as a woman, you have to really work at it
Have you ever tried to pick him up, though? When we were younger my brother dared me to pick him up, and he’s six inches taller and out-weighed me by about 30lbs at the time. I was able to pick him up without a problem. I didn’t take more than a couple of steps, but if he’d been lighter than me rather than the other way around, I’m sure I could’ve.
You make a very valid point. So, for science, I had a go.
Results:
Piggyback - no problems
Honeymoon carry - no chance. I tried the jump-up method but had to get him to jump down instantly because the attempt was threatening to damage me.
I will admit however, that in querying him I discovered he now weighs the same as me, not less. Which is about 80kg (175 lb). Also, I am 48. So there’s that. Maybe I could have done it when I was 20.
Comparison between your weight and the weight of the person you’re carrying doesn’t really mean much when it comes to arm strength though. Unlike your legs, your arms aren’t carrying you around all day.
I guess I miiight be able to carry a 165 lb person without injury a couple of steps. I think a bloke 4 inches higher than me (probably) younger and with a testosterone advantage shouldn’t have a problem
What about in the uncommon cases where the man is petite (5ft 6in, 120lbs) ahnd the woman is taller (6ft, 160lbs). Can she still lift him with ease or is the lack of testosterone a limiting factor?
I think this has the makings of a new Olympic sport.
Carrying a woman over the shoulder is pretty easy. The over the threshold carry is harder as that is all on your arms.
Hmmm…
In my imagination, that would appear to be somewhat less-than-romantic. :dubious:
I suppose it would still be a bit more dignified than the fallen soldier carry. :smack:
We should ask Tom Hanks how tough that one was. 
–G!
maybe he’s scared because he knows he’ll be tipsy? and doesn’t want to risk an accident?