A bride is a woman who is about to marry or who has just become married. She is usually attended by a maid of honor and one or more bridesmaids. The groom is called a bridegroom and may be joined by his best man and groomsmen.
The word bride comes from the Old English word bryd, which meant “a girl or woman who has been promised in marriage.” It is related to words for a wedding feast, and also to the bridal shower and the bridal bouquet. In some cultures, the bride’s father gives her a ceremonial gift called a dowry. This gift often consists of livestock or cash, and it is used to help her start her new life.
In modern European culture, the bride wears a white or cream wedding dress and she carries a veil. She is surrounded by her maid of honor and bridesmaids during the ceremony, which is typically in a church. The couple often have a picture taken in front of a bridesmaid or maid of honor, which is called a “bridesmaid shot.” The groom’s attendants usually carry boutonnieres and a flower wreath or garter, which is sometimes passed between them as they walk down the aisle.
During the reception, the bride and groom often open gifts from family and friends. The bride may receive a monetary gift from her husband’s side of the family, and the groom may give his bride a ring or other symbolic token of their love. The couple then dances together to celebrate their union as husband and wife.
Weddings are all about the vows that the bride and groom make to each other, and they are a wonderful chance for them to show their commitment to each other. The music and the minister’s sermon should help couples understand what they are about to do, and they should remember their promises to each other when they get up on the altar together.
Traditionally, the ceremony took place in a church, although many couples now hold their celebrations in other venues such as hotels, restaurants and golf clubs. Whether the wedding is big or small, it’s important to have fun and celebrate the start of a new chapter in your life with your partner. To make sure that your big day is perfect, check out our wedding checklist and sign up to our One Fab Day newsletter for ideas and inspiration.