commitment ceremony
Vows without marriage
A commitment ceremony is a formal event in which two people publicly pledge their relationship to each other, typically following wedding-like rituals but without legal marriage status.
The term emerged primarily among same-sex couples before marriage equality, though it applies to any couple choosing symbolic union over legal marriage: They held a commitment ceremony on the beach surrounded by friends.
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- wedding vowsSpoken marriage commitments
- unionJoining into one
- civil unionLegal spousal alternative
- same-sex marriageWedlock between like genders
rings · wedding bands · wedding · holy matrimony · celebration · partners · life partner · love · til death · officiant · witnesses · promises · devotion · handfasting · jumping the broom · blessing · exchange · reception
- marriagebride, groom, wedding, husband, wife
- ceremonieswedding, weddings, graduation, graduations, funeral
- life eventswedding, funeral, graduation, birthday party, anniversary
- Relationship Milestonesfirst kiss, first date, proposal, wedding, engagement
- gay marriagegay marriage, same-sex wedding, marriage equality, civil union, civil partnership
- oathsoath taking, swearing in, sworn oath, oath of honor, oath of fealty
commitment ceremonycivil marriage
Government-sanctioned spousal union
legal union · marriage license · church wedding · annulment · casual dating
commitment ceremonydivorce
Legal end of matrimony
separation · breakup · annulment · parting of ways · estrangement
commitment ceremonyone-night stand
Casual sexual encounter
open relationship · friends with benefits · situationship · casual dating · hookup
commit, commitment, commitments, committed, committing, commits, committee, committees, commission