George Boyle
The history of weddings and marriage is a long and complex one, with the practice predating recorded history. Marriage was originally viewed as a strategic alliance between families, with a focus on the granting of property rights, the protection of bloodlines, and the perpetuation of the species. Polygamy was common, with biblical men often having multiple wives. Over time, the notion of love matches gained traction, and marriage began to be based on mutual attraction and romantic love. Weddings and wedding traditions have evolved, with new trends constantly emerging, and the legal recognition of same-sex marriage has transformed the institution in recent years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of Marriage | Marriage is an ancient institution that predates recorded history. |
| Marriage in Ancient Times | Seen as a strategic alliance between families, with little to no say from the youngsters. |
| Marriage in Medieval Times | Women faced dual responsibilities to religion and marriage. |
| Marriage in the 19th Century | The "silent revolution" led to couples using birth control to limit pregnancies. |
| Marriage in the 20th Century | Same-sex couples have been allowed to marry civilly in many countries. |
| Marriage in the 21st Century | The emphasis has shifted from a long-term commitment to a personal relationship where individual fulfillment is important. |
| Wedding Traditions | The use of wedding rings, bridesmaids, and a white bridal dress are some traditions that have evolved over time. |
| Wedding Legalities | In some Western countries, a separate civil wedding ceremony is required for state recognition, while others only need a marriage license from the local government. |
| Wedding Ceremonies | Religious and secular wedding ceremonies are available, with the latter gaining popularity in recent years. |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage as a strategic alliance
Marriage is an ancient institution that predates recorded history. While the specific rituals and customs may vary across cultures and religions, the concept of marriage as a strategic alliance between families is a common thread. In ancient societies, marriage served as a means to secure a stable environment for procreation, establish rules for property rights, and protect bloodlines. For instance, in ancient Hebrew law, a man was required to marry his deceased brother's widow.
Strategic alliances in business refer to agreements between companies to achieve mutual objectives. Similarly, marriages have historically been alliances between families, with the union of the couple serving as a foundation for collaboration and the pooling of resources, labour, and genes. In the past, individuals often had little say in whom they married, as marriages were arranged by parents to strengthen familial bonds and maintain control over inheritance and land ownership.
The notion of "love matches" in marriage, where mutual attraction and romantic love are central, gained traction around 250 years ago. However, it was only about a century ago that mutual attraction became a significant factor in marriage decisions. The transition from an agricultural to a market economy played a pivotal role in this shift, as individuals gained more autonomy in choosing their partners, independent of parental influence and land ownership considerations.
Today, marriages continue to be a type of strategic alliance, albeit with a different focus. Modern marriages often involve partners with separate careers, finances, and identities. While the traditional emphasis on family alliances and property rights has diminished, couples still need to navigate operational overlaps in their daily lives, including household management and child-rearing. Like strategic alliances in business, marriages can face challenges due to communication breakdowns, diverging objectives, and changing circumstances, which may lead to dissatisfaction and dissolution.
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Wedding traditions and rituals
Western Weddings
In Western countries, weddings can be religious or secular. Some religious weddings require a separate civil ceremony for state recognition, while others only need a marriage license from a local government authority. Music is often played during Western weddings, with the "Bridal Chorus" from Lohengrin by Richard Wagner, commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride," being a popular choice for the processional.
Hindu Weddings
Hindu wedding ceremonies are usually conducted in Sanskrit and can last several days, with diverse rituals depending on the region, denomination, and community. One traditional ritual is the Mehendi ceremony, where henna is applied to the bride's hands and legs before the wedding. Another important ritual is the saptapadi or saat phere, where the bride and groom encircle a sacred fire seven times, each circle representing a matrimonial vow.
Black and African-American Weddings
Black and African-American weddings often incorporate traditions such as "jumping the broom," which originated from African culture and was adopted by enslaved people in America who were forbidden to marry legally. Another tradition is "tying the knot," where the couple's wrists are bound together during the ceremony, symbolizing their union and commitment.
Ancient Traditions
Some ancient traditions, such as the exchange of engagement and wedding rings, have persisted over time. The custom of wearing rings on the fourth finger of the left hand is believed to have originated from the ancient Romans and Egyptians, who thought that a vein or nerve ran directly from this finger to the heart.
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Wedding vows
The history of marriage is a long and winding one, dating back to before recorded history. Over time, the reasons for marriage have evolved from strategic alliances between families to a celebration of love and commitment. While the format has changed, wedding vows remain a significant part of the ceremony in many cultures, representing a lifelong pledge of devotion witnessed by family, friends, and God (for religious couples).
History of Wedding Vows
The oldest traditional wedding vows can be traced back to the manuals of the medieval church, specifically the Sarum Rite of the Catholic Church in medieval England. The Sarum Rite was conducted in Latin, but priests were instructed to say the first part of the vows in the "mother tongue" of those present. The first Book of Common Prayer, published in 1549, based its marriage service on the Sarum Rite, and this is where the wedding vows used today originated. The Book of Common Prayer was written by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, and translated medieval Catholic customs from Latin to English.
While traditional wedding vows are still popular, some couples choose to write their own, incorporating humour, sentiment, and cultural or religious elements. In the United States, Catholic wedding vows often follow the format:
> I, [name], take you, [name], to be my lawfully wedded [husband/wife], to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
In the United Kingdom, the Church of England usually offers couples a choice between the following vows:
- Groom: "I, [name], take you, [name], to be my [husband/wife]. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health."
- Bride: "I, [name], take you, [name], to be my [husband/wife], to love, cherish, and obey."
In addition to the declaration of intent, some couples may also include ring vows, such as:
> With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods.
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Marriage laws and rights
Marriage is a legally sanctioned union, usually between one man and one woman, and is viewed as a contractual agreement subject to legal processes. While the institution of marriage predates recorded history, it was originally viewed as a strategic alliance between families, with the individuals involved often having no say in the matter. Marriage was also seen as a means to form secure environments for the perpetuation of the species, a system of rules to handle the granting of property rights and the protection of bloodlines.
In the beginning, all marriages were essentially common-law marriages. Couples were simply declared married by their families or themselves and began to live together, forming alliances, joining resources, tending to the home, and raising children. Common-law marriages were legally binding and widely accepted for centuries, even as the popularity of written contracts increased. One of the first marriage licenses recorded in the United States was in colonial Massachusetts in the 17th century, around 1639. Marriage licenses were gradually adopted by various local governments, with each state passing its own laws to determine who could apply and how. By the 1900s, marriage licenses were a common part of the marriage process in every U.S. state.
In the Muslim countries of the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa, Islamic law regards marriage as a contract between the two spouses for the "legalization of intercourse and the procreation of children," and it is seen as a gift from God or a kind of service to God. The terms of the marriage depend on the will of the consenting parties, and it may be constituted without any ceremony. Islamic law has historically permitted polygamy, although this practice has been declining in recent times.
In the 19th century, the notion of love matches gained traction, and marriage began to be based on love and sexual desire. However, mutual attraction in marriage only became important in the last century. The transition from an agricultural to a market economy played a significant role in this shift, as individuals became less dependent on their parents' land and inheritance.
In the 21st century, same-sex couples have been allowed to marry civilly in many countries, and some Christian churches in those countries also perform religious marriages for same-sex couples. Vermont became the first state to offer benefits to same-sex couples in 2000, and Massachusetts was the first state to legally recognize same-sex marriage in 2004. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states.
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Evolution of marriage
Marriage is an ancient institution that predates recorded history. Originally, marriage was viewed as a strategic alliance between families, with little to no input from the couple being married. In some cultures, parents married their children to the spirits of deceased children to strengthen familial bonds. Marriage was also used to secure property rights and protect bloodlines. In ancient societies, polygamy was common, with Biblical men having anywhere from two to thousands of wives.
Around 250 years ago, the notion of love matches began to gain traction, with marriage being based on love and sexual desire. However, mutual attraction in marriage was not considered important until about a century ago. The marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was seen as the icon of a loving marriage, with Victoria frequently referring to it as a "love match". The couple's union, though influenced by bloodlines, inspired the idea of a romantic marriage. This shift was also influenced by the transition from an agricultural to a market economy, which gave young people more freedom to choose their partners.
In the late 19th century, a "silent revolution" began, with couples using rudimentary methods of birth control to limit pregnancies, thus decoupling procreation from marriage. The early Christian church also played a role in this shift by arguing that marriage was not contingent on producing offspring. The Marriage Act of 1836 allowed for non-religious civil marriages to be held in register offices in England and Wales. Secular ceremonies conducted by humanist celebrants also emerged in the 19th century, gaining legal recognition in Scotland in 2005.
In the 20th century, weddings became increasingly commercialized, with the emergence of bridal departments in stores and the invention of the wedding registry. World War I also led to a phenomenon of "hasty war weddings", with many couples becoming engaged through letter writing without ever having met face-to-face. Queen Victoria popularized the tradition of wearing white on one's wedding day, a colour that has come to symbolize sexual purity.
In the 21st century, same-sex marriage has been legalized in many countries, reflecting the changing definition of marriage over time. While some religions, such as the Catholic Church and the Church of England, do not perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, some Hindu priests and Muslim Imams have conducted such ceremonies.
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Frequently asked questions
Marriage is an ancient institution that predates recorded history.
Weddings and wedding traditions have changed and evolved over the course of a century. While some traditions have remained strong, each year introduces new trends that seem to take over the industry.
Marriage was originally viewed as something transactional and a strategic alliance between families, with the youngsters having no say in the matter. In ancient societies, marriage provided a secure environment for the perpetuation of the species, a system of rules to handle the granting of property rights, and the protection of bloodlines. In the late 19th century, a "silent revolution" began, with couples using rudimentary methods of birth control to limit pregnancies, decoupling procreation from marriage. By about 250 years ago, the notion of love matches gained traction, with marriage based on love and possibly sexual desire.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, same-sex couples have been allowed to marry civilly in many countries, and some Christian churches in those countries allow religious marriages of same-sex couples.
