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A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are
united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and
customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions,
countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an
exchange of wedding vows by the couple, presentation of a gift
(offering, ring(s), symbolic item, flowers, money), and a public
proclamation of marriage by an authority figure or leader.
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A Pakistani bride's hand are adorned with henna during the mehndi
ceremony a few days before her wedding. The henna is meant to bring good
luck to the marriage.
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A Korean bride and groom wear traditional wedding clothes. The custom of
the bride wearing hanbok and groom wearing gwanbok dates back 2,000
years.
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Moroccan brides wear an elaborate kaftan and heavy jewelry. The bride
and female guests decorate their hands with henna.
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Male guests wear traditional Highland outfits of kilts, jackets, and
hose to weddings in Scotland.
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In a Yoruba wedding in Nigeria, the groom and his friends prostrate
themselves to the bride's family before the bride is presented under a
veil.
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In Bolivia, a wedding party enjoys a meal next to Lake
Titicaca. The bride and groom's heads are doused with confetti and
flower petals after the wedding ceremony.
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In the United States, unmarried female wedding guests
participate in the tradition of the bouquet toss. Catching the bouquet
is believed to bring good luck in getting engaged soon.
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A Japanese couple perform the ritual of drinking 9
cups of sake during their wedding at a Shinto shrine.
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An Ethiopian couple dons crowns and robes that
symbolize marriage as a special covenant before God.
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A Chinese bride is presented to the groom's family in
a traditional red wedding carriage. |
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