TRADITIONAL

AMERICAN WEDDINGS

Fun Fact! There are not many wedding

traditions that are unique to the United

States because most are derived from other

cultures. In addition, religious customs play a

large role in wedding traditions.

The following are generally recognized

American wedding traditions.

PRE-MARITAL

TRADITIONS

o Past:

• Marriage by capture –

men captured woman to

be their wives and would

later send a gift to the

father to apologize

• Marriage by purchase –

men paid the woman’s

father to take the woman

as his bride

ARRANGEMENT

o Present:

• Marriage by love

• Individuals choose to date many people to

hopefully find a good match

• Once they meet a potential suitor,

engagement typically follows

• Marriage is a personal decision that is

typically decided upon by the two people

in the relationship

ARRANGEMENT

o Get together of family and

friends to celebrate the

engagement (usually all woman)

o Gifts are given to the bride and

groom to help them begin their

lives together

• History: Originated when dowry’s were

common – poor families could not afford a

dowry so extended family and friends

would help

BRIDAL SHOWER

o Best man organizes a night of

activities for the men

o Maid of honor organizes a

night of activities for the

women

• History: It is the party that signifies

farewell to the bride's and groom's

carefree, single life.

BACHELOR AND

BACHELORETTE PARTY

CEREMONY

TRADITIONS

o Church or similar religious setting, outdoor

location, courthouse, etc.

o Location depends on religious affiliation,

personal preference, and budget

LOCATION

o Wedding dress is white

• History: White was a symbol for purity and

showed guests that she had remained pure

until her wedding day

o Woman wears veil

• History: Evil spirits were around to try and

ruin the wedding ceremony, so the bride wore

a veil to cover her face so evil spirits would

not know she was the bride

ATTIRE

o "Something old, something new,

something borrowed, something blue,

and a silver sixpence inside your shoe."

o Victorian era and requires the bride to

accessorize her wedding attire in

certain ways to promote good luck in

her new marriage.

o Many brides continue this tradition

ATTIRE

o Groomsmen and bridesmaids

• History: Men used to help kidnap the bride, while the

bridesmaids were friends that would try and help save the bride.

• Later, the bridesmaids were used in the ceremony to “confuse”

evil spirits

BRIDESMAIDS

GROOMSMEN

o Father walks daughter down the aisle

• History: In days of marriage by purchase, fathers would sell

their daughters to a male who showed interest. Now, fathers

walk their daughters down the aisle to show that they approve

of the marriage (giving the daughter to a new male)

PROCEDURE

o Circular shape = symbolize eternity (endless marriage)

o Rings can be gold, platinum and other metals

o Some are encrusted with jewels to signify the value of a

couple’s love

o Ring Boy (also often called the Ring Bearer) takes the

rings up on a pillow so the bride and groom can exchange

rings

RINGS

WEDDING

RECEPTION

o Tossing the garter and bouquet at a wedding is

a common tradition

o The person who catches the garter or bouquet

will be the next people to get married

GARTER AND

BOUQUET

o Drink, food, and dancing are common after a

traditional American wedding

o Celebration of the new marriage

o Merging of the families

o Common traditions:

• Cutting the cake

• Father-daughter dance

CELEBRATION

o Couples usually take

time to celebrate their

new marriage as a

couple.

o May take a vacation in

order to spend time

alone as a couple

HONEYMOON