A bride is a woman who is about to be married or who is a newlywed. In Western culture, a bride may be attended by a maid of honor and/or bridesmaids.
If the bride’s future husband is a man, he is usually referred to as a groom or just groom. The word bride is derived from the Old English word bryd, and it’s closely related to other words for marriage, including West Frisian bruid, Dutch bruid, German Brueder, and Swedish brude.
A couple can choose to celebrate their wedding however they want. That could mean keeping the guest list to a handful of friends and family, or maybe it means getting a bunch of people together and jumping on a plane to a new destination for a big celebration. The important thing is that you and your partner are celebrating your love with the people who matter most to you.
Once you’ve finalized your guest list, it’s a good idea to create a wedding-day schedule to ensure everyone is on the same page about timing and locations. This will help keep you and your vendors on track and can help minimize stress on the day of. Using an online or offline tool like a checklist, spreadsheet, or Google Docs is a great way to organize and share this information.
One of the most important decisions a bride can make is who she wants to be her officiant. This person will not only preside over your ceremony, but they will also usher you into your union and set the tone for your life as a married couple. The right officiant can elevate the entire experience and give you a meaningful ceremony that will stand the test of time.
In Hinduism, a ritual known as saptapadi or saat phere is performed to symbolize the union of the bride and groom. During this ritual, the groom and bride, hand-in-hand, encircle the sacred fire seven times, each circle representing a matrimonial vow. The groom then marks the bride’s hair parting with vermilion and puts a gold necklace (mangalsutra) around her neck. Traditionally, the bride would have to stay with her blood relatives until she married, but nowadays this isn’t always the case.
Some couples opt to skip the traditional gift registry and ask for donations toward things like their honeymoon or a downpayment on their home. Others prefer to go the extra mile and include an option for guests to give a dollar amount instead of a specific gift. Whatever you decide, your guests will be thrilled to contribute and know that they helped you reach your dream wedding day.