marriage rites
Vows and rings
Marriage rites are the ceremonial practices that formalize a union between partners.
These range from simple civil procedures to elaborate religious or cultural traditions—exchange of vows, ring ceremonies, jumping the broom, breaking the glass.
The specific rites vary widely across cultures but typically involve witnesses and some form of public declaration.
- wedding vowsSpoken marriage commitments
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- handfastingCeremonial binding of couples
- tying the knotGetting married
- officiantCeremony presider
henna · license · kiss · first dance · altar · sacrament · priest · chuppah · wedding march · jumping the broom · engagement party · unity candle · ceremonial attire · betrothal · ring exchange · bridal shower · knot tying · ketubah
- liturgical reformVatican II, lay readers, lectors, sign of peace, contemporary worship
- Mesoamerican ritualshuman sacrifice, blood sacrifice, bloodletting, sun worship, incense burning
- OrthodoxyEastern Orthodoxy, church fathers, Nicene Creed, synods, unction
- Catholic ChurchVatican, papacy, cardinals, popes, papal
- ritualsrite, ceremony, sacrament, blessing, prayer
- Indian Societycaste, varna, Dalit, untouchability, caste system
marriage ritesfuneral rites
Customs for honoring deceased
death rites · last rites · memorial service · divorce proceedings · wake
marriage ritesdivorce proceedings
Legal process ending marriage
annulment · divorce decree · separation agreement · legal separation · get
marriage riteswedding reception
Celebration following a marriage
reception · wedding party · wedding feast · wedding banquet · after-party