Wedding facts for kids
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people become married. It is usually between a man (the bridegroom) and a woman (the bride). In some places, same-sex weddings are legal. It is common for the couple involved in the wedding to exchange vows and to give each other rings. Weddings are held in religious buildings or other sites such gardens or the home of the bride's parents.
Contents
Wedding customs in western societies
Ceremony
A traditional wedding ceremony in the western world usually consists of the couple exchanging vows before a government official such as a justice of the peace or a clergyperson such as a priest, minister, or pastor. Nuns are not permitted to perform marriages. Rings are exchanged between the married couple, following which they kiss.
Site
Traditionally, the bride's church, synagogue or other religious centre, or the home of her parents is the site of her wedding. Non-traditional couples choose various and unusual sites. Some couples have married while snorkeling or skydiving. Rich couples sometimes choose "destination weddings". These couples pay for guests to attend their wedding at a romantic "destination" such as a Caribbean island.
Dress
The bride usually wears a white dress. She sometimes wears a thin piece of white cloth on her head called a veil, or a wreath of flowers, or a tiara, or other headdress. The groom lifts the veil before or after the vows are taken. The groom is usually dressed in formal attire.
Honeymoon
After the wedding, the newlyweds usually take a trip, which is called a honeymoon.
Bridesmaids
The bridesmaids are people that walk down the aisle before the bride and her father. They often wear a dress the same colour as the bride's dress and they have a little flower bouquet like the bride.
Bridal shower
The bridal shower is similar to the bachelor party but it is for the women.
Images for kids
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Many cultures have adopted the traditional Western custom of the white wedding, when the bride wears a white wedding dress and veil. Painting by Edmund Leighton (1853–1922)
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Hindu wedding in India
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Hindu wedding in India
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A couple exchange vows on the church altar during a ceremony in a Catholic Church.
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A girl with traditional gift of Gaye holud.
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Bridegroom arrives on horseback at a Rajput wedding
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Jewish wedding
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Bridal Portrait
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Henna on the hands of a bride in Tunisia
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In traditional Chinese wedding ceremonies, bride arrives in a jiao
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Saber Arch at Military wedding in 1955, Argentinian Naval Officer in Dress Uniform and Bride
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White wedding
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Formal family picture of a Royal Wedding.
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Waiting for the bride. From left: priest, groom and ushers in Scotland wearing kilts.
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A 2004 California wedding between a Filipina bride and a Nigerian groom.
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The groom and one other in the wedding party wear a kilt with Argyll jacket and long tie.
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A wedding party in 1918
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Hindu wedding in India]]
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ride and a bridegroom in Rajasthan
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A bride and a bridegroom in Nepal
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Neopagan handfasting ceremony
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Fire rituals at a Hindu wedding, India
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Hindu wedding in India]]
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rowning during a Nasrani wedding in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
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On the beach
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Japanese bride and bridegroom
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Traditional Armenian wedding dress
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A Parsi wedding
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Assyrian bride and groom
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Chinese traditional wedding dress, Qing Dynasty style
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Chinese traditional wedding clothing, Ming Dynasty style
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Chinese traditional wedding attire, Zhou Dynasty style
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Wedding at Burning Man
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Bridegroom, Bangladesh
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Bride, Bangladesh
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Minangkabau marriage in Indonesia
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Japanese wedding at the Meiji Shrine
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See also
In Spanish: Boda para niños
