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Marriage Traditions

Marriage Traditions. What is American?. Few wedding traditions are truly American America is a nation of immigrants who brought their wedding traditions with them Most wedding traditions in America originated in Europe. Religious or Civil?. weddings in America are either religious

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Marriage Traditions

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  1. Marriage Traditions

  2. What is American? • Few wedding traditions are truly American • America is a nation of immigrants who brought their wedding traditions with them • Most wedding traditions in America originated in Europe

  3. Religious or Civil? • weddings in America are either religious • takes place in a church or other religious place • a priest, pastor or other religious figure marries the couple • many churches require the couple to have counseling before they are allowed to marry

  4. Religious or Civil? • Civil ceremonies may take place at a courthouse • An official of the state (not a person of faith) marries the couple

  5. Arranged Marriages? • Marriages in the US are never arranged • Couples marry for love • not to strengthen family business or influence

  6. Marriage Blessing • In the past, men have asked the father of the bride for permission (or blessing) to marry his daughter • Many men do not do this today • they may ask as a courtesy

  7. Wedding Planning • Most brides in America want a big, elaborate wedding (if it is their first wedding) • Often a bride will hire a professional wedding planner

  8. Weddings Cost… • … a lot!

  9. Weddings Cost… • an average wedding cost betweens $15,000 and $25,000

  10. This includes… • wedding gown and veil: $1,000 - $1,500 • tuxedos • flowers • photography • videography • renting a church/place for ceremony • renting a place for reception • cake and food • favors for the guests • decorations

  11. This includes… • wedding rings • invitations • bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts • bands/DJs at ceremony • bands/DJs at reception • wedding cake topper and serving set • groom’s cake • toasting flutes • drinks • transportation • official’s fees • wedding license fees

  12. Bride wears… • White Dress • White Veil • “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a lucky penny in her shoe.”

  13. Groom wears… • Tuxedo

  14. Important People • Maid of Honor • Bridesmaids • Best Man • Groomsmen • Mother of the Bride • Father of the Bride

  15. Important People • Ushers • Greeters • Flower Girls • Ring Bearer • Other Relatives

  16. Prior to the Wedding • Wedding Showers • Bachelorette Party • Bachelor Party • Wedding Rehearsal • Rehearsal Dinner

  17. Wedding Showers • The couple is “showered” with gifts • Traditionally thrown by the Maid of Honor for the Bride • Today, many couples opt for “couple showers” where both bride and groom are involved • Gifts are registered for in advance

  18. Bachelorette/Bachelor Party • Girls only and Guys only parties • Thrown for the Bride and Groom • Is a “last chance for fun” type of party • Stereotype is that the party is for drinking and strippers • Often that is not the case, however

  19. Wedding Rehearsal • Everyone who is involved in the wedding (Bride, Groom, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower Girls, Ushers, Family….) rehearse for the wedding • Usually takes place the night before

  20. Rehearsal Dinner • Special time for the Bride and Groom to thank the special people in their lives • Time for friends and family to “toast” the Bride and Groom and share stories about the past • Traditionally paid for by the Groom’s family (wedding paid for by the Bride’s family)

  21. Common Features of Western Weddings • Candle Lighting (symbolizes two families coming together) • Everyone stands when the Bride walks down the aisle • There may be special music or Bible readings throughout the ceremony • Couple might take Communion (if they are Christian)

  22. Common Features of Western Weddings • Officiator might speak for a while on marriage • Bride and Groom exchange rings • Gold; Circle • symbol of their love and never-ending union • Vows (promises) exchanged • Bride and Groom say “I do”

  23. Common Features of Western Weddings • Officiator pronounces them “Man and Wife” • Officiator says to the Groom “You may kiss the Bride” • They kiss (everyone claps) • Bride and Groom walk down the aisle • They offer flowers to mothers

  24. After the ceremony… • Most guests attend a reception • Dinner or light snacks are served • Wedding cake is a traditional part of the reception (Husband and Wife feed each other) • Rice (or nowadays bird seed) is thrown at the couple as they depart to symbolize fertility

  25. Gifts • Typically the Groom and his family are responsible for: • the Rehearsal Dinner • the Groom’s tuxedo • the rings • the honeymoon

  26. Gifts • Typically the Bride and her family are responsible for: • the wedding • the Bride’s attire

  27. Gifts • Parents of the couple typically give the new couple gifts, but there is no rule as to what type of gift • it may be as significant as a house or car • or, as small as a microwave

  28. Gifts • Typically, everyone who receives an invitation to a wedding (whether they attend or not) should give the couple a gift • Gifts are registered for in advance • Gifts help the couple set up their new home

  29. Traditions • Something Old:signifies that the Couple's friends will stay with them • Something New: looks to the future for health, happiness and success • Something Borrowed: is an opportunity for the Bride's family to give her something as a token of their love (it must be returned to ensure Good Luck)

  30. Traditions • Something Blue: is thought lucky because Blue represents fidelity and constancy • And a penny in her shoe: to bring the couple wealth in their married life

  31. Garter and Bouquet • Groom tosses the garter - the bachelor who catches it will be next to wed • Bride tosses her bouquet of flowers - the bachelorette who catches it will be the next to wed

  32. Superstitions • White Dresses were made popular by Queen Victoria, who broke the tradition of royals marrying in Silver. • Symbolizing purity and virginity, white was also thought to ward off evil spirits. • a Bride should never practice signing her new name until it is legally hers • the Groom should not see the Bride in her wedding dress until she walks down the aisle at the wedding

  33. Married in White, you have chosen right • Married in Grey, you will go far away, • Married in Black, you will wish yourself back, • Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead, • Married in Green, ashamed to be seen, • Married in Blue, you will always be true, • Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl, • Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow, • Married in Brown, you will live in the town, • Married in Pink, you spirit will sink.

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