wedding ceremonies
Formal union rituals
Wedding ceremonies are formal rituals in which two people are married.
The term emphasizes the ceremonial aspects—vows, rings, officiant, witnesses—as distinct from the broader wedding event that may include reception and celebration.
Different cultures and religions have distinct wedding ceremonies with their own traditions: They chose a simple civil wedding ceremony rather than a religious one.
- unity candleRitual matrimonial flame
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- first danceNewlyweds' ceremonial song together
- officiantCeremony presider
- ring exchangeTrading wedding bands
here comes the bride · marriage license · procession · bridal shower · bride · recessional · reception · groom · best man · maid of honor · guests · chapel · altar · bouquet · something borrowed · I do · tying the knot · prenuptial agreement
- synagogue lifeShabbat services, Torah reading, Torah study, prayer services, minyan
- marriagebride, groom, husband, wife, spouse
- classical music inspirationsopera, ballet, symphony, sonata, concerto
- Korean CelebrationsKorean New Year, Lunar New Year, Buddha's Birthday, Liberation Day, Children's Day
- Qashqaikilims, wool carpets, migration routes, saddlebags
- extended familyaunt, uncle, grandparents, grandparent, great aunt
wedding ceremonieselopements
Secret departures to wed
eloping · common-law marriage · cohabitation · living together · private vows
wedding ceremoniesdivorce proceedings
Legal process ending marriage
divorces · annulments · divorce decrees · separation · breakups
wedding ceremoniesfuneral services
Ceremonies honoring the dead
funerals · memorial services · burial rites · death rituals · wakes