A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of wedding vows by the couple, presentation of a gift (offering, ring(s), symbolic item, flowers, money), and a public proclamation of marriage by an authority figure or leader. Special wedding garments are often worn, and the ceremony is sometimes followed by a wedding reception. Music, poetry, prayers or readings from religious texts or literature are also commonly incorporated into the ceremony.
Read more about Wedding: Common Elements Across Cultures, Traditional Wedding Clothing Attire, Religious Aspects of Weddings, Wedding Types, Wedding Ceremony Participants
Famous quotes containing the word wedding:
“The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.”
—Adrienne Rich (b. 1929)
“In marriage there are no manners to keep up, and beneath the wildest accusations no real criticism. Each is familiar with that ancient child in the other who may erupt again.... We are not ridiculous to ourselves. We are ageless. That is the luxury of the wedding ring.”
—Enid Bagnold (1889–1981)
“The wedding was a quiet affair, and when called upon to enjoy my promotion from lodger to lover did I experience only bitterness and distaste? No.”
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)