A bride is a woman who is getting married or who has recently been married. The word is derived from the Old English word bryd, which is also shared by other Germanic languages including Dutch, West Frisian, and Swedish. She is often accompanied by bridesmaids or other women who are her closest friends. The groom is usually accompanied by his best man and/or groomsmen. The couple may exchange rings and vows in a traditional ceremony or take a more creative approach.
The bride can wear a white or other color wedding dress. She may wear a veil or other headpiece. She may carry a bouquet of flowers or other plants. She can even hold a bird as a symbol of love and fertility. The couple can choose to make their commitment official with a ceremony and a reception or they can just celebrate their union without the legal paperwork.
Many couples choose to incorporate a number of unique rituals into their ceremonies, such as a handfasting, where the couple’s hands are literally tied together as a symbol of their unity, or they can make a painting together during their vows. Other couples may decide to skip the ceremony altogether and just party with their loved ones at a fun backyard barbecue.
Whether a bride and her guests enjoy a backyard barbecue, a mountaintop elopement, or an all-out, destination beach bash, there are a few important things to keep in mind to make the day truly special. 1. Be positive.
One of the biggest things a bride and groom want to hear is that their wedding was amazing! So if you see them, be sure to let them know that the food was delicious, that the ceremony brought tears of joy to your eyes, or that their dance moves on the floor are out of this world. On the other hand, don’t be afraid to speak up if you weren’t as impressed with something. For example, if your chicken was tough or the music was cheesy, save your comments for after the big day.
2. Take part in any extras.
Couples put a lot of time and thought into bringing in unique entertainment and experiences for their weddings, like photo booths, cigar rollers, beer burros, caricature artists, live musicians, or food stations. They’re expecting you to join in on the fun and they’ll be thrilled to see that you’re enjoying themselves.
Remember that the purpose of a wedding is to mark the beginning of a new chapter in the couple’s lives, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Choosing to skip the reception or to have a ceremony only and a limited celebration, for instance, can still be very much a wedding and can offer huge cost savings. If you’re opting for a smaller reception, consider letting your guests select their preferred playlist (one channel could be throwback hits, another modern pop, and one for slow dances) or adding fun lighting options to create an unforgettable ambiance.