dearly beloved
Ceremony's first words
Dearly beloved is a formal address used at the opening of wedding ceremonies and funeral services: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...
The phrase signals the solemnity of the occasion and addresses the assembled guests as a community of loved ones.
Outside religious contexts, it's often used with affectionate irony to address a group.
- cherishedHeld dear, prized
- darlingBeloved person or pet
- preciousHighly esteemed, greatly valued
- treasuredRegarded with deep affection
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
wedding day · ceremony · gathered · vows · till death do us part · bride · groom · lawfully wedded · congregation · sweetheart · adored · devotion · faithful · sacred · union · holy matrimony · matrimony · altar
- Ritual Wordsamen, hallelujah, alleluia, hosanna, blessed be
dearly belovedbitter enemy
mortal enemy · sworn enemy · nemesis · archenemy · detested
dearly belovedcomplete stranger
casual acquaintance · stranger · perfect stranger · unknown · nobody special
dear, dearer, dearest, dearly, dearness, endear, endearing, endearment, beloved