Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Marriage TraditionsMarriage Traditions
What is American?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
» 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?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
» 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
Religious or Civil?Religious or Civil?
» Civil ceremonies may take place at a courthouse
» An official of the state (not a person of faith) marries the couple
» Civil ceremonies may take place at a courthouse
» An official of the state (not a person of faith) marries the couple
Arranged Marriages?Arranged Marriages?
» Marriages in the US are never arranged
» Couples marry for love» not to strengthen family business or
influence
» Marriages in the US are never arranged
» Couples marry for love» not to strengthen family business or
influence
Marriage BlessingMarriage 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
» 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
Wedding PlanningWedding 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
» Most brides in America want a big, elaborate wedding (if it is their first wedding)
» Often a bride will hire a professional wedding planner
Weddings Cost…Weddings Cost…
» … a lot!» … a lot!
Weddings Cost…Weddings Cost…
» an average wedding cost betweens
$15,000 and $25,000
» an average wedding cost betweens
$15,000 and $25,000
This includes…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
» 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
This includes…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
» 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
Bride wears…Bride wears…
» White Dress » White Veil» “Something old, something new,
something borrowed, something blue and a lucky penny in her shoe.”
» White Dress » White Veil» “Something old, something new,
something borrowed, something blue and a lucky penny in her shoe.”
Groom wears…Groom wears…
» Tuxedo» Tuxedo
Important PeopleImportant People
» Maid of Honor» Bridesmaids
» Best Man» Groomsmen
» Mother of the Bride» Father of the Bride
» Maid of Honor» Bridesmaids
» Best Man» Groomsmen
» Mother of the Bride» Father of the Bride
Important PeopleImportant People
» Ushers» Greeters» Flower Girls» Ring Bearer» Other Relatives
» Ushers» Greeters» Flower Girls» Ring Bearer» Other Relatives
Prior to the WeddingPrior to the Wedding
» Wedding Showers» Bachelorette Party» Bachelor Party» Wedding Rehearsal » Rehearsal Dinner
» Wedding Showers» Bachelorette Party» Bachelor Party» Wedding Rehearsal » Rehearsal Dinner
Wedding ShowersWedding 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
» 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
Bachelorette/Bachelor Party
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
» 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
Wedding RehearsalWedding 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
» 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
Rehearsal DinnerRehearsal 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)
» 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)
Common Features of Western Weddings
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)
» 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)
Common Features of Western Weddings
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”
» 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”
Common Features of Western Weddings
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
» 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
After the ceremony…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
» 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
GiftsGifts
» Typically the Groom and his family are responsible for:» the Rehearsal Dinner» the Groom’s tuxedo» the rings» the honeymoon
» Typically the Groom and his family are responsible for:» the Rehearsal Dinner» the Groom’s tuxedo» the rings» the honeymoon
GiftsGifts
» Typically the Bride and her family are responsible for:» the wedding» the Bride’s attire
» Typically the Bride and her family are responsible for:» the wedding» the Bride’s attire
GiftsGifts
» 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
» 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
GiftsGifts
» 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
» 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
TraditionsTraditions
» 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)
» 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)
TraditionsTraditions
» 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
» 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
Garter and BouquetGarter 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
» 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
SuperstitionsSuperstitions
» 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
» 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
» 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.
» 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.
