You can find different wedding traditions depending on the culture and religion the ceremony takes place in. We will only discuss the traditional American wedding ceremony in this article, since it is fairly consistent with ceremonies in most English speaking countries.
The traditions can be downright simple. The basic ingredients are the bride and groom, and an officiating persona that will marry them, which is usually a priest, a rabbi, or a civil official for non-religious ceremonies.
Two or more witnesses to the ceremony are usually also legally required. Just as you would need witnesses when you sign a legal document, you also need them to be present at your wedding.
Most brides and grooms choose to share their special day with family and friends. Most brides have a male figure who can give them away, a maid of honor (or a matron), bridesmaids and a flower girl. The groom will invite a best man, plus often one or more groomsmen. The ring bearer is normally a small boy who carries the rings for the couple on a little cushion.
Ushers will ensure that guests are taken to their seats and things are organized during the ceremony. Guests will usually sit on one side or the other depending on whether they are more closely associated with the bride or the groom, but this is not always followed. If one family is smaller than the other, members of the larger family may seat on the other side.
The groom should be ready at the church early and wait for the bride. Though brides are sometimes late, their grooms must arrive on time.
Family members usually seat close to the front, and the first row of seats is usually occupied by the wedding party. Sometimes the attendants remain standing all through the ceremony. If that's the case, the first row on each side is occupied by the parents and grandparents of the bride and groom.
In American ceremonies, the bridesmaids and the groomsmen enter first. Following them are the maid of honor and the best man. After the attendants, enter the ring bearer and the flower girl. Finally, the bride enters on the arm of her father or the male family member who is giving her away.
In other countries such as the UK, the bride and her father will walk ahead of the procession, with the attendants coming in right behind. If the bride has a long trailing dress, the train may be carried by the bridesmaids.
After the ceremony, the marriage license or register must be signed by the bride, groom, officiant and witnesses. This one final step is necessary to make the ceremony legally recognized.
The traditions can be downright simple. The basic ingredients are the bride and groom, and an officiating persona that will marry them, which is usually a priest, a rabbi, or a civil official for non-religious ceremonies.
Two or more witnesses to the ceremony are usually also legally required. Just as you would need witnesses when you sign a legal document, you also need them to be present at your wedding.
Most brides and grooms choose to share their special day with family and friends. Most brides have a male figure who can give them away, a maid of honor (or a matron), bridesmaids and a flower girl. The groom will invite a best man, plus often one or more groomsmen. The ring bearer is normally a small boy who carries the rings for the couple on a little cushion.
Ushers will ensure that guests are taken to their seats and things are organized during the ceremony. Guests will usually sit on one side or the other depending on whether they are more closely associated with the bride or the groom, but this is not always followed. If one family is smaller than the other, members of the larger family may seat on the other side.
The groom should be ready at the church early and wait for the bride. Though brides are sometimes late, their grooms must arrive on time.
Family members usually seat close to the front, and the first row of seats is usually occupied by the wedding party. Sometimes the attendants remain standing all through the ceremony. If that's the case, the first row on each side is occupied by the parents and grandparents of the bride and groom.
In American ceremonies, the bridesmaids and the groomsmen enter first. Following them are the maid of honor and the best man. After the attendants, enter the ring bearer and the flower girl. Finally, the bride enters on the arm of her father or the male family member who is giving her away.
In other countries such as the UK, the bride and her father will walk ahead of the procession, with the attendants coming in right behind. If the bride has a long trailing dress, the train may be carried by the bridesmaids.
After the ceremony, the marriage license or register must be signed by the bride, groom, officiant and witnesses. This one final step is necessary to make the ceremony legally recognized.
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