Ceremoniesweddings

Ceremoniesweddings is a term used to describe the range of formal rituals and social events that accompany marriage, including the legal, religious, and secular elements of the union as well as the accompanying celebration. The term covers both the formal ceremony in which vows are exchanged and the subsequent wedding reception or feast that marks the occasion.

Ceremonies and weddings vary widely across cultures and legal systems. Common elements include an officiant, witnesses, vows, and the exchange of rings, along with processions, readings, music, and celebratory toasts.

Some cultures feature multiple ceremonies or extended celebrations spanning days or different venues, while others consolidate rituals into a single event. In many places, civil authorities grant legal recognition independent of religious rites; in others, religious rites confer legal status or are performed in addition to civil registration.

Planning considerations include venue, attire, guest lists, budgeting, and often intergenerational or family traditions. In recent decades, weddings have increasingly emphasized personalization, inclusivity such as same-sex weddings, and sustainable practices, while critics note pressures of cost and commercialism.

Related topics include engagement, marriage, wedding customs, and cultural rites.