For those of you who do not know, a wedding is a legal ceremony that commences a union between two people; the attitude of western populations towards marriage has undergone many changes recently. Whatever the background and history to marriage, it is still a legal union between two people; a legal document called a marriage license must be signed before the law recognizes a couple is married. The names bridegroom and bride extend around the world; they are then referred to by the title husband and wife, once they are married.
The White Wedding
Of course other wedding traditions can be much more complicated as soon as you look into different race, social classes and ethnic groups to name a few. Traditionally the church is the most popular venue, where the ceremony is presided over by a Christian priest. White weddings may be quite normal for those of us that live in the United States, UK, Ireland and the Commonwealth but they are not always accepted worldwide amongst Christian faiths.
Multiple Weddings
Although unusual a double marriage is a where two couples are married at the same time; typically, a person with a brother or sister might plan this type of occasion with that sibling.
Getting Married in a Foreign Country
Marriages in foreign countries are called destination weddings where guests can arrive either just before the ceremony or actually travel with the couple; it doesn’t matter exactly where you travel to, whether it is in Egypt or just to Las Vegas it will still be considered a destination wedding.
Activity weekend Weddings
Weekend weddings are becoming popular and in Ireland they take place over the course of three days. To cater for an expanding market a number of companies arrange special themed occasions that incorporate anything from golf to surfing. Accommodation for these is normally arranged at the place where the service is going to take place and where the other events are also being held.
Online Ceremonies
An online wedding is conducted on the internet which can resemble a normal ceremony; internet based specialists are already available to help organize your ceremony. This can prove a useful tool where relatives and friends from around the world can see an online wedding take place in real time without actually being there!
Town Hall Services
Elected and appointed officials can carry out a marriage ceremony which is usually called a civil wedding. Religion doesn’t normally play a part in these ceremonies because they are purely a legal requirement. Many civil ceremonies take place in local town or city halls or courthouses in judge’s chambers. This brief article has tried to explain what a wedding as carried out in the Western world.