I am most familiar with the traditional Catholic wedding but there are many other ways of celebrating such a joyous occasion. In thirteenth century Scotland, the announcement of intended marriages was a process of banns of marriage. Although this has recently been outdated, it leaves its influence on announcing marriages. After announcing the marriage proposal there is a fourteen-day waiting period before any arrangements are made for the couple.

Like bridal showers held before a traditional Catholic wedding, a show of presents is held for the bride to be. Instead of wrapped gifts bidding the bride good luck, all gifts are unwrapped and displayed as necessary. A simple card or the guest who brought the gift accompanies these gifts. After this show of presents, the bride is dressed up in traditionally a long dress and train made from any fabric. She is then escorted around town with guests making loud noises announcing the wedding to be. The bride to be carries a baby doll, “plastic pot

In a traditional Catholic wedding, the bride is escorted down the aisle by her father, but in a Jewish wedding the bride and groom are escorted by their parents. After a short reciting of wedding vows, the groom gives a plain uncut gold band to his bride resembling true value and purity. Instead of the left hand ring finger that most people are used to seeing, the ring is placed on the bride’s right index finger. The wedding party then proceeds down the aisle and later joins guests for a feast and dancing. Plain and simple.

A Jewish wedding is less elaborate. A Jewish wedding begins with the signing of a marriage contract called a “ketubbah”. The ceremony can take place anytime thereafter, no waiting period. The ceremony is usually performed under a “huppah”, a wedding altar. Under this altar is a small table with a bottle of wine. This is broken by the groom to seal the end of the ceremony reminding how fragile life is.

Tossing of the bouquet is done at a Catholic wedding reception after the wedding ceremony. The belief is that the one who catches it will be the next one married. On the eve of her wedding, Scottish brides’ feet are placed in a tub of hot water and washed by the crowd of people around her. The one who finds a married women’s wedding band in the tub is believed to be the next one married.

Like the Chinese wedding, there is a similarity in a Japanese wedding. A go-between is assigned to bring the couple and their families together. Gifts are exchanged between the bride to be and grooms’ family. The gifts include as many as nine items representing happiness and fortune. Gifts include money, soup, hemp ropes and wine. This gift exchange also can last one to two years.

Different cultures and different religions have different wedding traditions. Many people relate to the traditional church wedding but there are many different ways to celebrate this joyous occasion. Whether it takes five months or five years to prepare, happiness is always most important.

In some cultures wedding ceremonies are carried out for more than one day of celebration. A Chinese ceremony can take up to 3-4 years. The process begins with an elaborate marriage proposal and acceptance. This is often the job of a “go-between”.

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