In ancient times, brides were given away as a form of business and were considered a dowry. Today, brides may choose to have someone they love give them away. They may choose a father or a sibling to do it. Traditionally, brides are not seen before the ceremony because they do not want to let their feelings show.
The cost of a wedding can often drive couples to postpone the big day. Many couples are now putting their money toward property instead of a wedding. In addition to the ceremony, there are often parties and celebrations following the wedding. While many couples may be reluctant to spend the money, the ceremony is an important milestone in a couple’s life and should be celebrated in a special way. There are many different ways to do this and each couple will have their own style.
Many Hindu weddings involve a ritual wherein the bride and groom tie their hands together during the wedding. This is a way to symbolize their commitment to each other. The ceremony itself may include several rituals, but the most important one is the first knot, which symbolizes the bride’s submission to the groom. The bride then leaves her family and blood relatives to join the groom’s.
After the bride and groom are married, the bride’s father and honor attendants will walk in the processional and recessional. They may also walk the bride down the aisle. This can be done separately or together with the mother. Afterwards, the bride and groom will head to the reception, where the bride and groom toast their marriage. The couple may invite special guests to take part in a farewell activity.
The Jewish wedding ceremony includes several rituals. The ketubah, which spells out the marriage contract, is read in front of witnesses. The ketubah is usually signed by two witnesses and read under the chuppah, which symbolizes a new home. The chuppah can be a simple piece of cloth or a giant tallit held by four members of the family.
The mother of the bride also serves as an extra layer of support for the bride and groom throughout the wedding planning process. In addition to helping the bride choose her dress and necklace, mothers of the bride may plan a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and bridal luncheon. They may even walk her down the aisle or take part in the first dance.
Wedding traditions vary widely by country. In France, brides must drink from the toilet bowl, while in Congo, brides are forbidden to smile during the ceremony. In Germany, brides are presented with a log and must split it as a team. This shows that the couple can overcome obstacles together. For this reason, some weddings have unique customs.
While the mother of the bride traditionally takes the center stage in the wedding, the mother of the groom has an equally important role. They lend moral support to the bride and groom. They may also be involved in planning the wedding or give a speech during the wedding reception. The father of the bride has fewer formal responsibilities, but can still be an active participant in the wedding.