Wedding
A ceremony uniting two people in marriage, with diverse global traditions.
A wedding is a ceremony that joins two people in marriage. The specific traditions and customs surrounding weddings differ widely across cultures, ethnicities, religions, countries, social classes, and sexual orientations. Typically, a wedding ceremony includes the couple exchanging marriage vows, the presentation of a gift (such as rings, flowers, money, or a dress), and a public declaration of marriage made by an authority figure or celebrant. Couples often wear special clothing, and the ceremony may be followed by a reception. Music, poetry, prayers, or readings from religious or literary works are also common, along with superstitious practices.
Many cultures have adopted the white wedding tradition, where the bride wears a white dress and veil. This custom became popular after Queen Victoria’s wedding; her choice of a white gown may have been a display of wealth or a reflection of her values regarding sexual purity. The wedding ring has long been part of religious ceremonies in the Indian subcontinent, Europe, and America, though its origins are unclear. One theory links it to the Roman concept of the *vena amoris*, a vein believed to run from the fourth finger to the heart, symbolizing a connection between hearts. Historian Vicki Howard notes that the idea of this tradition being ancient is likely a modern invention. In the United States, grooms did not commonly wear wedding bands until the early 1900s, whereas in Europe the practice dates back to ancient Rome, as recorded by the jurist Gaius.
The departure from the ceremony, known as the "send off," often involves traditional acts. In Ethiopian weddings, the couple and wedding party bow and kiss the elders' knees. In much of the Western world, as well as in countries like India and Malaysia, guests throw rice or other seeds as symbols of prosperity and fertility—despite a common myth, uncooked rice does not harm birds. In some cultures, shoes are tossed instead.
After the ceremony, a wedding reception or breakfast may feature speeches from the groom, best man, bride’s father, and sometimes the bride; the couple’s first dance; and the cutting of a wedding cake. Recent years have seen the addition of a father-daughter dance and a mother-son dance.
Certain countries restrict wedding locations. Before the Marriage Act 1994 in England and Wales, weddings could only occur in authorized religious buildin
- common_elements
- Exchange of vows, gift presentation, public proclamation
- traditional_attire_examples
- White wedding dress, veil, morning dress, white tie, black tie, ao dai, barong tagalog, hanbok, kilt, sari, sherwani, kimono
- common_send_off_practices
- Throwing rice or seeds, tossing shoes, bowing and kissing elders' knees (Ethiopian)
- western_music_examples
- Bridal Chorus (Wagner), Canon in D (Pachelbel), Bob Marley's One Love
- uk_gift_spending_survey
- Average minimum £24.70, average maximum £111.46
- us_wedding_attendance
- Approximately 2 million people marry each year; close to 70 million attend a wedding and spend more than $100 on a gift
Lore & Background
Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly across cultures, ethnicities, religions, and social classes. Common elements include the exchange of marriage vows, presentation of gifts such as rings or flowers, and a public proclamation by an authority figure. Special wedding garments are often worn, and the ceremony may be followed by a reception featuring speeches, dancing, and cake cutting. Superstitious customs and music, poetry, or prayers are also frequently incorporated.
Reader's Guide
The wedding ceremony serves as a universal yet highly variable institution for uniting couples in marriage. Its significance is reflected in the wide range of customs, from the white wedding dress popularized by Queen Victoria to the use of wedding rings, whose origin is debated but may trace to Roman beliefs about the vena amoris. The send-off practices, such as throwing rice or seeds for prosperity, and the locations of weddings, which have expanded in some countries to include venues like beaches and former warships, illustrate the adaptability of the tradition. Christian weddings often take place in a church and are seen as a sacred institution, with varying theological meanings across denominations. The entry highlights that while some customs are widespread, many are specific to particular cultures or religions, and the article notes that some beliefs about traditions (e.g., the ancient quality of ring practices) may be modern inventions.
Did You Know?
- Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress may have been a sign of extravagance or influenced by values emphasizing sexual purity.
- The use of a wedding ring may originate from the Roman belief in the vena amoris, a blood vessel running from the fourth finger to the heart.
- In Ethiopian weddings, newlyweds and the wedding party bow and kiss the elders' knees during the send-off.
- Despite popular belief, using uncooked rice for a wedding send-off is not harmful to birds.
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