Wedding Traditions Unveiled

A wedding is a celebration of the marriage of two people. British weddings typically involve a ceremony, during which the couple exchange rings, followed by a reception with food, drinks, and entertainment. The wedding ceremony is often held in a church, but some couples opt for a non-religious ceremony in a registry office. The reception usually includes a wedding breakfast, which is a meal that takes place after the ceremony, typically in the late afternoon. During the reception, it is customary for the best man and the father of the bride to make speeches. The wedding celebration often continues with music and dancing late into the night.

The wedding ceremony

A wedding is a celebration of the marriage of two people. The wedding ceremony is often held in a church, but some couples opt for a civil ceremony in a registry office instead. The wedding party typically includes a page boy, bridesmaids, and a best man. There are usually lots of family and friends in attendance, too.

During the ceremony, the couple makes promises to each other. This often includes the exchanging of rings. There may also be readings of poems or passages, sometimes by members of the wedding party. After the ceremony, the couple and their guests typically go to a restaurant for a celebratory meal, known as the 'wedding breakfast'. This is followed by speeches, music, and dancing.

The wedding party

The bride and groom are the central figures of the wedding party, with the bride often wearing a long, white dress and the groom a suit. In Ade and Sarah's case, they chose to have a civil ceremony at a registry office instead of a religious wedding in a church. During the ceremony, they exchanged vows and rings, with one of the bridesmaids reading a poem. After the ceremony, the wedding party and guests proceeded to a restaurant for the "wedding breakfast," which is usually held in the late afternoon. The best man, the bride's father, and the groom made speeches, and there was music and dancing throughout the night.

The wedding breakfast

As guests arrive for the wedding breakfast, they are typically greeted by the newlyweds, who may take this opportunity to thank them for their attendance and well-wishes. This greeting sets a warm and welcoming tone for the festivities to come. It is also customary for the couple to move around during the meal, spending time with their guests, sharing stories, and creating lasting memories together.

Toasts and speeches are another integral part of the wedding breakfast. Traditionally, the best man, the father of the bride, and the groom himself take centre stage to deliver heartfelt and often humorous speeches. These speeches offer a chance to honour the newlyweds, share anecdotes, and propose toasts to their happiness and future together. The speeches are usually woven throughout the meal, punctuating the culinary experience with moments of emotion and laughter.

The speeches

The wedding speeches are a time-honoured tradition and an opportunity for close friends and family to congratulate the newlyweds and offer a few words of advice for their future together. The speeches usually take place after the wedding breakfast, or meal, and are given by the best man, the father of the bride, and the groom.

The best man's speech typically opens the proceedings and includes a mixture of humour and sincerity. He may share anecdotes about the groom, offer a toast to the bridesmaids, and generally get the party started. The best man may also act as a master of ceremonies, introducing other speakers and ensuring the event runs smoothly.

The father of the bride's speech is a chance for him to welcome the groom into the family officially. He may share memories of the bride's childhood, offer advice to the couple, and thank the guests for attending.

The groom's speech is an opportunity to thank both sets of parents for their support, as well as the best man and ushers for their help on the day. He will also usually propose a toast to the bridesmaids and, most importantly, publicly declare his love for his new wife.

The music and dancing

Music and dancing are integral parts of a wedding celebration. The songs played at a wedding can make or break the atmosphere, so it's important to choose a mix of tunes that will get everyone on the dance floor.

When selecting music for your wedding, it's a good idea to include a variety of songs that you and your partner love, as well as some classic floor fillers that are sure to get your guests grooving. It's also essential to think about the type of dancing you want to encourage; for example, you might opt for slow, romantic dances or more upbeat, energetic numbers.

If you're after a romantic vibe, you could choose songs like 'My Cherie Amour' by Stevie Wonder, 'Baby I Love You' by Aretha Franklin, or 'Wild Horses' by The Rolling Stones. These songs will allow you and your partner to share a special moment on the dance floor and express your love for each other through dance.

On the other hand, if you want to get the party started and encourage energetic dancing, you might opt for songs like 'Here Comes Your Man' by the Pixies, 'Starry Eyed' by Ellie Goulding, or 'Kiss Me' by Sixpence None the Richer. These upbeat tunes will fill the dance floor and create a fun, celebratory atmosphere.

Of course, you don't have to stick to traditional wedding songs. If you want to stand out, you could choose unique or alternative songs for your first dance, such as 'Everlong' by Foo Fighters, 'Sweater Weather' by The Neighbourhood, or 'You Make My Dreams' by Hall & Oates.

No matter what songs you choose, the most important thing is that they reflect your personality and taste as a couple. So put your stamp on the celebrations and make the music selection your own!

Frequently asked questions