Wedding Ceremonies And Rituals

A wedding is an occasion in which two individuals are legally joined in matrimony. Although it may be practiced anywhere in the world, some of its traditions and customs differ greatly from place to place. Wedding traditions and customs also differ greatly among various ethnic groups, religious faiths, societies, and other social groups. In most cases, the most common wedding traditions have their roots back in ancient times when married couples had to travel to distant villages in search for a partner.

In the past, weddings took place in the homes of parents-to-be who were closest to the bride and groom. The groom brought gifts for his bride and household. Later on, the practice was to have a wedding in a castle or a holy institution such as a monastery. It is believed that marriages performed in these institutions were more secured as there were fewer distractions.

Today, the concept of the wedding has changed considerably. Traditionally, the wedding ceremony consisted of a seven-minuteclock reception at the residence of the couple. In most contemporary weddings, however, the wedding ceremony can be as lengthy or brief as one would like. The type of wedding that is held depends largely on the social or religious beliefs of the couple, as well as the desires of the bride and groom. Some of the most common wedding ceremonies include church weddings, civil weddings, celebrity weddings, and theme weddings.

The wedding reception is the highlight of the wedding. This reception is accompanied by the dancing and entertainment of a band or choir. The wedding cake and the wedding menu are offered to guests during the reception. It is customary to give guests a wedding favor, which contains an assortment of sweets that symbolizes the joyous occasion.

Many wedding rituals vary according to cultural norms. In America, for example, getting married is considered to be a religious activity, which is why most couples adhere to certain traditions when getting married. In certain Native American communities, wedding rites and celebrations are very special. However, in other areas of the world, marriage is seen to be a cultural norm and nothing more.

Wedding cakes may not have frosting but they do feature candles. In some parts of Europe, the bride and groom cut a cake and hold it over their heads to symbolize their union. In some parts of Asia, the bride and groom exchange garlands and hold hands to symbolize their marriage. A wedding ceremony may also feature a fire ceremony, which is believed to bring blessings and good luck to the newlywed couple. These are just some of the more popular wedding ceremony and reception customs.