A Wedding: Rituals And Celebrations

Traditional weddings are extravagant and over the top, with large guest lists and a focus on the marrying couple's heritage and culture. The ceremony is usually held at a church or religious venue, officiated by someone belonging to a particular culture. The nature of a traditional wedding lends itself to placing a large emphasis on the ceremony, which is often filled with traditional readings and rituals. The reception typically has a raised 'top table' where the bridal party sits, and a large dance floor for traditional dances, games and rituals. The bride and groom are the centre of attention, and the wedding party will usually enter the hall with a silly dance. The couple will then have their first dance, followed by the father and daughter dance and mother and son dance. The bride and groom cut the cake, and the bride may toss her bouquet.

The ceremony

The Procession

Opening Remarks

The officiant welcomes the guests, thanks them for being present as witnesses, and may speak about marriage and the couple's love story.

Readings

Readings are often religious, but can be taken from any source that speaks to the couple. Family members or friends may be invited to recite the chosen readings.

Officiant Addresses the Couple

The officiant emphasises the significance of the responsibilities and vows the couple is about to take.

Exchange of Vows

The couple may choose to write their own vows or stick to traditional phrasing.

Ring Exchange

The officiant prompts the ring bearer to present the rings. The couple places the rings on each other's left hands, and may say a few words about the significance of the wedding ring.

Pronouncement of Marriage

The officiant pronounces the couple as husband and wife, and invites them to seal the ceremony with a kiss.

Unity Ceremony

Some couples opt for a unity ceremony, such as mixing sand or water, or lighting a candle, to symbolise the joining of two people.

Closing Remarks

The officiant ends the ceremony with a few final words and, in a religious ceremony, a blessing for the couple.

Recessional

The couple leads the way out of the ceremony, followed by the flower girl, ring bearer, maid of honour, best man, and the remaining bridal party. The couple's parents will then exit, and the guests will make their way to the cocktail hour or reception.

The reception

The newlyweds will make a grand entrance into the reception, often with a silly dance, and head straight to the dance floor for their first dance as a married couple. This will be followed by the father-daughter and mother-son dances. The bridal party will then be seated at the head table, and the father of the bride or groom will give a welcoming speech, thanking the guests for attending.

Dinner is served, and the guests will be treated to impeccable, delicious food, often chosen to reflect the couple's culture. This is followed by speeches from the maid of honour and best man. The couple will then cut the cake, a large, extravagant, multi-tiered affair, decorated with glitz and a cake topper. The cake-cutting is usually followed by the bouquet and garter toss.

After the traditional steps have been completed, the real party begins! The dance floor opens up, and the guests can show off their moves. The DJ will play a mix of cultural songs and traditional dances, and the party will continue until the early hours. The newlyweds may choose to stay until the end and make a grand exit, or sneak out for some alone time.

The first dance

The dance itself is usually a simple "slow dance" or "the sway", with couples wrapped in each other's arms, gently moving back and forth. However, some couples prefer to spice things up with a choreographed routine, or a waltz, foxtrot, or even a salsa. It is becoming increasingly common for couples to take dance lessons before the big day to ensure they are comfortable and confident.

Speeches

The father of the bride or groom typically gives a welcoming speech, thanking everyone for attending. However, some couples may prefer to do this themselves. The maid of honour and best man also give speeches, which are often nerve-wracking but should be around five minutes long and are an opportunity to be hilarious, heartfelt, or both.

The couple may also choose to say a few words to thank their friends and family during this time.

Cutting the cake

The couple should position themselves with one person standing closest to the cake, holding the knife with their dominant hand, while the other stands behind, placing their hand on top. They should cut about an inch into the bottom tier of the cake, avoiding a sawing motion to prevent the cake from crumbling. They can then make a connecting cut to create a wedge, which they can lift out and place on a plate.

After cutting the cake, the couple will usually feed each other a small bite, symbolising their commitment to providing for one another. This custom has sometimes evolved into the couple smashing cake into each other's faces, although this is best avoided unless both partners agree to it.

Once the initial piece is cut, the catering staff will take over and bring the cake back to the kitchen to be sliced for the rest of the guests.

Frequently asked questions