wedlock
State of matrimony
Wedlock is the state of being married.
The word sounds old-fashioned or formal in most contexts, surviving mainly in the phrase born out of wedlock—meaning born to unmarried parents.
They were joined in holy wedlock.
Married partner
- husbandMarried man's role
- wifeFemale marriage partner
- partnerOne who shares activity
- coupleTwo linked together
newlyweds · bridegroom · consort · betrothed · conjugal · matrimonial · marital · monogamy
Sacred ritual table
- bouquetArranged cluster of blooms
- brideWoman getting married
- groomBetrothed man; stable worker
- aisleCorridor between seating sections
chapel · vows · ringbearer · nuptials · officiant · processional · recessional · veil
Binding promise given
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- promiseCommitment to act
engagement · constancy · faithfulness · steadfastness · covenant · fidelity · monogamy · trust
Formal binding promise
- promiseCommitment to act
- pledgeBinding promise given
- covenantBinding formal pledge
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
affirmation · declaration · avowal · troth · consent · allegiance · consecration · ratification
Equal score, or neckwear
- unionJoining into one
- allianceFormal union of parties
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- yokeCrosspiece binding draft animals
knot · joining · linkage · connection · attachment · fusion · interlink · splice
Act of receiving guests
- toastHeated bread; glass-raising honor
- honeymoonNewlyweds' celebratory vacation
- photographerCamera-wielding image maker
- registryOfficial record of entries
caterer · tuxedo · usher · invitation · planner · banquet · mehndi · rehearsal dinner
Enforceable written agreement
- alimonyCourt-ordered post-divorce payments
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- annulmentDeclared void from start
- prenuptialBefore the wedding
spousal · custody · common-law · marital · license · certificate · dissolution · separation
spouse
Married partner
couple · newlyweds · bridegroom · consort · betrothed · conjugal · matrimonial · marital · monogamy · polygamy
altar
Sacred ritual table
aisle · chapel · vows · ringbearer · nuptials · officiant · processional · recessional · veil · boutonniere
pledge
Binding promise given
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
promise · engagement · constancy · faithfulness · steadfastness · covenant · fidelity · monogamy · trust · honour
oath
Formal binding promise
sacrament · affirmation · declaration · avowal · troth · consent · allegiance · consecration · ratification · assurance
tie
Equal score, or neckwear
- unionJoining into one
- allianceFormal union of parties
- partnershipShared business arrangement
yoke · knot · joining · linkage · connection · attachment · fusion · interlink · splice
reception
Act of receiving guests
- toastHeated bread; glass-raising honor
- honeymoonNewlyweds' celebratory vacation
- photographerCamera-wielding image maker
registry · caterer · tuxedo · usher · invitation · planner · banquet · mehndi · rehearsal dinner
contract
Enforceable written agreement
- alimonyCourt-ordered post-divorce payments
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- annulmentDeclared void from start
prenuptial · spousal · custody · common-law · marital · license · certificate · dissolution · separation · bigamy
wedlockdivorce
Legal end of matrimony
bachelorhood · singlehood · separation · spinsterhood · annulment
wedlockcohabitation
Dwelling together unmarried
living together · domestic partnership · free love · open relationship · living in sin
- out of wedlockBorn to unmarried parents
- born out of wedlockHaving unmarried parents