🇺🇸 Wedding traditions of the United States
88 traditions from the United States, best known first, across 27 cities and towns.
Marriage in the United States is a legal contract regulated by individual states rather than federal law. Couples typically choose between civil ceremonies and religious rites, with customs varying widely across different cultural communities. The institution has evolved significantly through legal changes regarding age, interracial unions, and same-sex partnerships.
In the United States, marriage is primarily a legal status defined by state statutes rather than a single national code. Couples may marry in civil settings or through religious institutions, depending on personal preference and community tradition. The practice reflects a diverse population where customs from many backgrounds coexist within a framework of individual rights and local regulations.
A typical wedding
Most couples begin by selecting an officiant who can legally solemnize their union. This person might be a judge, a clergy member, or an ordained minister. Many people also hold engagement parties before the main event. The ceremony itself often includes vows, ring exchanges, and readings chosen by the couple. Reception traditions vary greatly. Some gatherings feature formal dinners and dancing, while others are more casual. Food choices range from buffet styles to plated meals. Entertainment often includes live bands or DJs. Guests usually attend in semi-formal attire unless specified otherwise. The celebration serves as a public declaration of the partnership.
Law and registration
Each state sets its own rules for who may marry and at what age. Generally, individuals must be eighteen years old to marry without parental consent. Nebraska requires partners to be nineteen, while Mississippi sets the age at twenty-one. Puerto Rico also mandates that partners be twenty-one. Some states allow minors to marry with judicial or parental approval. The Supreme Court ruled in 1967 that bans on interracial marriage were unconstitutional. Alabama removed such language from its constitution in 2000. Same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in 2015 following a Supreme Court decision. Divorce laws vary by state and handle property division and child custody.
Wedding season
There is no single official wedding season across the country due to its geographic size. However, late spring through early autumn sees the highest number of ceremonies. This period offers favorable weather in most regions. September and October are particularly popular months. Winter weddings occur but are less common outside of resort areas. Some families avoid certain times of year for religious reasons or holiday conflicts. Urban centers see events throughout the year regardless of season. Couples often book venues one to two years in advance during peak times.
Gifts and money
Guests typically provide gifts from a registry created by the couple. These registries list items the couple needs for their new home. Cash gifts are also common and often given in envelopes at the reception. Some guests contribute to honeymoon funds or charitable donations instead. The couple usually pays for the majority of the wedding costs themselves. In some traditional families, the bride's family might cover specific expenses like the reception venue. Modern trends show couples paying for more elements of their own celebrations. Gifts are opened privately or not at all in favor of direct contributions.
Communities
American weddings reflect the nation's diverse cultural heritage. Jewish ceremonies often include breaking a glass underfoot. Christian services frequently take place in churches with hymns and sermons. Muslim weddings involve a contract signing and separate gatherings for men and women. Hindu ceremonies may last several days and include rituals around a sacred fire. Indigenous communities incorporate traditional songs, dances, and clothing. Latino weddings often feature large family involvement and lively music. Each group maintains distinct customs while participating in the broader legal framework of the country.
The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Marriage in the United States", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. EveryShaadi rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
A wedding in the United States, stage by stage
The customs written up so far, in the order a wedding unfolds.
Cities, towns and villages of the United States
🇮🇱 Jerusalem, Israel and 5 moreInterfaith marriage in Judaismשִׁדּוּג חַלּוּץ (Shidug Chalutz) / אינטרפייט מריאז' (Interafeyt Mariyaz')
The union of a Jew and a non-Jew, viewed as void by traditional law but increasingly common in modern communities.Vow · Engagement and betrothal
🇫🇷 France and 5 moreProxy marriage
A union where one or both partners are absent and represented by another person.Vow · The ceremony
🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreNude wedding
A ceremony where the couple or guests participate without clothing.Modern · The ceremony
🇺🇸 New York, United States and 5 moreInterracial marriage
A union between spouses of different races or racialized ethnicities, now legal in most nations.Modern
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreInterfaith marriage
A union between spouses of different faiths, navigating legal and religious boundaries across the world.Vow · Engagement and betrothal
🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands and 5 moreSame-sex marriage
The legal union of two people of the same sex or gender, recognized in dozens of countries.Modern · Engagement and betrothal
🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreLavender marriage
A heterosexual union formed to hide the queer identity of one or both partners and protect a public career.Vow · Engagement and betrothal
🇦🇺 Australia and 5 moreCelebrancy
A profession of secular officiants who create personalised life ceremonies for people outside traditional religious or sModern · The weeks before
🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreSame-sex marriage and Judaism
How different branches of Judaism handle the union of two people of the same sex.Modern · The ceremony
🇺🇸 Honolulu, United StatesSame-sex marriage in Hawaii
The legalization of marriage for same-sex couples in the Hawaiian islands.Modern
🇯🇵 Japan and 4 morePicture brideNakōdo (仲人) matchmaking; Jungmae gyeolhon (결혼) process
Early twentieth century marriages arranged through photographs between Asian immigrant men and women in Hawaii and the UBetrothal · Finding a match
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreCommon-law marriage
A union recognized by law because a couple lives together as spouses, without a formal ceremony or license.Vow · After the wedding
🇺🇸 United StatesSame-sex marriage in the Northern Mariana Islands
Legal recognition of same-sex unions in a U.S. territory that became a popular destination for international couples.Modern · The ceremony
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Interfaith marriage in Christianity: Andreas Praefcke, CC BY 3.0, source
- Interfaith marriage in Judaism: Rembrandt, Public domain, source
- Proxy marriage: Alejandro Cicarelli, Public domain, source
- Nude wedding: Peter Paul Rubens, Public domain, source
- Same-sex marriage in Hawaii: Bob Bobster, CC BY 2.0, source
- Interracial marriage: Xavier Lejeune, CC BY 4.0, source
- Lavender marriage: Katharine Cornell and the Playwrights' Company; Vandamm Studio, photog, Public domain, source
- Same-sex marriage and Judaism: Ed and Eddie, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Same-sex marriage: Stefano Bolognini, CC BY-SA 3.0, source