The ceremony

The vows, the rites, the blessing and the moment the marriage is made.

The ceremony is the moment the marriage is made, in religion, in law or in both. It may last five minutes or five hours. It may be held at a temple, a mosque, a church, a registry office, a garden or at home. What it has in common everywhere is that someone witnesses and the couple agree.

What is required

In Islam the core is the offer, the acceptance and two witnesses, with the mahr agreed. In Judaism the ring is given before witnesses under the chuppah and the ketubah is signed. In Hinduism the saptapadi before the fire completes the marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act in India. In Catholic and Protestant weddings the exchange of vows is the key, with a priest or minister present. In civil weddings the declaration before a registrar is what counts.

Many ways to do it

Orthodox Christians crown the couple and share the common cup. Sikhs circle the Guru Granth Sahib four times in the lavan. Bahá'í couples each say a single verse before two witnesses. Chinese families once bowed to Heaven and Earth, to the parents and to each other. Many Indigenous weddings include a blanket, a pipe or a dance, depending on the nation. Quakers sit in silence until the couple stand and speak.

Making it your own

Couples now ask friends to officiate, write vows, include readings from different traditions, and choose music. Some ceremonies are bilingual, and many couples use a mix of two religions. The law still requires a few set words in many countries, and it is worth checking.

About this page

Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Background on The ceremony (stage of the wedding). Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

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🇨🇴 Bogotá, ColombiaSame-sex marriage in Colombia The legal recognition of same-sex unions established by the Constitutional Court in 2016.Modern · The ceremony 🇮🇳 India and 1 moreSame-sex marriage in the British Indian Ocean Territory Legal recognition of same-sex unions for military personnel stationed on Diego Garcia since 2014.Modern · The ceremony

🇩🇪 Germany and 3 moreHerem of Rabbeinu GershomḤerem de-Rabbeinu Gershom Medieval ordinances that banned polygyny and forced divorce for Ashkenazi Jews.Vow · Engagement and betrothal 🇬🇧 United KingdomSame-sex marriage in Jersey The legal recognition of same-sex marriage in the Crown Dependency of Jersey since 2018.Modern · The ceremony 🇦🇹 Vienna, AustriaSame-sex marriage in Austria Civil marriage and partnership ceremonies for same-sex couples in AustriaVow · The ceremony 🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom and 1 moreSame-sex marriage in Akrotiri and Dhekelia Legal same-sex weddings for British military personnel on the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus.Modern · The ceremony

🇮🇹 Venice, ItalyMarriage of the Sea ceremonySposalizio del Mare The annual ritual where Venice symbolically marries the Adriatic Sea with a golden ring.Rite · The ceremony

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🇩🇰 DenmarkSame-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands The legal recognition of same-sex unions that began in 2017 after years of parliamentary debate.Modern · The ceremony 🇮🇪 Dublin, IrelandSchulze Registers The surviving records of secret marriages performed by a Lutheran minister in 19th century Dublin.Vow · The ceremony 🇲🇨 Monaco, MonacoRecognition of same-sex unions in Monacocontrat de vie commune; union civile Legal frameworks for same-sex couples in Monaco, from cohabitation agreements to ongoing civil union debates.Modern · Engagement and betrothal 🇬🇧 United KingdomSame-sex marriage in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha The legal recognition of same-sex unions across the three island groups since 2017.Modern · The ceremony 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia and 2 morePolygamy in Saudi Arabia A legal marriage structure allowing a man to have up to four wives under Islamic law.Vow · Engagement and betrothal 🇬🇧 United KingdomSame-sex marriage in the Isle of Man The legalisation of same-sex marriage on the Isle of Man, following civil partnerships since 2011.Vow · The ceremony

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🇧🇪 Bruges, BelgiumProcession of the Holy BloodHeilig Bloedprocessie A Catholic parade in Bruges that carries a relic on Ascension Day.Blessing · The ceremony

🇨🇳 China and 1 moreXiapei霞帔 The embroidered scarf or waistcoat that marks a woman's status in Chinese and Korean weddingsAttire · Engagement and betrothal

🇨🇳 Fuzhou, China and 2 moreOil-Paper Umbrella油紙傘 A protective canopy shielding the bride from harm and blessing the marriageBlessing · Procession and arrival 🇮🇷 Bojnord, Iran and 1 moreTurkmen embroidery Intricate silk embroidery on wedding and daily wear that marks territorial identity and family skill.Attire · The weeks before

🇳🇬 Iseyin, Nigeria and 2 moreYoruba wedding attire Traditional garments worn by Yoruba couples and guests to mark marriage celebrations.Attire · The ceremony 🇮🇳 IndiaLohepfhe A black shawl with red and green bands worn by Angami and Chakhesang Naga men at weddings.Attire · The ceremony

🇮🇷 Isfahan, IranDebit trousersShalvār Debit (شلوار دبیت) The wide black cotton trousers worn by Bakhtiari men as a badge of tribal identity.Attire · The ceremony

🇷🇴 Romania and 5 moreKlezmerקלעזמער The instrumental wedding music of Ashkenazi Jews, blending Eastern European and Jewish ritual melodies.Performance · Engagement and betrothal

🇿🇦 South AfricaUkusina An energetic Zulu dance where performers kick and stamp to drums during weddings and ceremonies.Performance · The ceremony

🇹🇳 Tunis, TunisiaTunisian jebbaجبة A loose traditional tunic worn by Tunisian men and women for weddings and festivals.Attire · Procession and arrival

🇨🇳 China and 4 moreCloud collar云肩 (yúnjiān) A detachable shoulder collar worn by Han Chinese brides to frame the face and symbolize cosmic order.Attire · The weeks before

🇺🇦 UkraineWax wedding head wreathвосковий вінок A paraffin and paper bridal crown worn in parts of Ukraine until the late twentieth century.Attire · The ceremony 🇮🇩 Palembang, IndonesiaSeting clothes and Cual cloth The red velvet top and intricate ikat skirt worn by Bangka Belitung brides and grooms.Attire · The ceremony

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Ukusina: Vulane Mthembu, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Xiapei: Unknown author, Public domain, source
Tunisian jebba: Touzrimounir, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Debit trousers: Niloofar Rakhshan, CC BY 4.0, source
Cloud collar: Unknown author, CC0, source
Oil-Paper Umbrella: Richard, CC BY 2.0, source
Recognition of same-sex unions in Hungary: Christo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Wax wedding head wreath: Sofo, GFDL, source
Klezmer: Unknown artist identified as "M.D.", Public domain, source
First same-sex marriage in Spain: Jglamela, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
More danico: Edward Burne-Jones, Public domain, source
Same-sex marriage in Colombia: Diego Cambiaso, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Herem of Rabbeinu Gershom: Nixnubix, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Procession of the Holy Blood: Cbl62, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Inter-caste marriage in Nepal: Sajan Pundit, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Marriage of the Sea ceremony: Francesco Guardi, Public domain, source
Same-sex marriage and Judaism: Ed and Eddie, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Same-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands: Arne List, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Yoruba wedding attire: Wolf D., Public domain, source