A bride is a woman who is about to get married. She may wear a wedding dress and/or veil. She may also carry a bouquet of flowers and/or a garter in some cultures. A bride is usually the focus of attention during a wedding ceremony and reception. She is generally escorted down the aisle by her father or a male family member, and is then formally pronounced a wife by her husband. After the ceremony, a bride may be greeted by her guests with a glass of champagne.
A bride can be a young woman or an older woman. She can be white, black or Asian. The word bride comes from the Old English word bryd, which is shared with other Germanic languages including Dutch bruid and Swedish brud. In Western culture, a bride usually wears a white dress.
The term bride can also be used as a title for the maid of honor or matron of honor. These women are often responsible for assisting the bride in planning and preparation for her big day. They often participate in the bachelorette party and/or the bridal shower. They may also be asked to help her with other tasks such as food prep and cleanup. They are typically paid for their attire and are held to the same financial obligations as the rest of the bridesmaids.
Junior bridesmaids are also sometimes included in the wedding party. These girls are similar to the maid of honor, except that they are a little bit younger. They are not a part of the same duties as the maid of honor, but they can be helpful in other ways. A male equivalent of a junior bridesmaid is called a groomsman or a junior usher.
Once the bride and groom are pronounced husband and wife, they may kiss. This is a very special moment, but it is important that the groom lifts the veil before the kiss. If he is nervous or is having trouble with this, it’s often best for the maid of honor or matron to assist him.
The recessional is the final walk down the aisle before the couple is pronounced husband and wife. The bride and groom are normally accompanied by their parents, the flower girl and/or ring bearer, and the best man and maid or matron of honor. This is the last chance for guests to congratulate the newlyweds and give their well wishes for their future together. After the recessional, the bride and groom will usually cut their cake. Then the couple will begin their post-ceremony celebrations. They might go out to a restaurant or they might stay home to host a casual get-together. In either case, they will share their first dance as a married couple. They will also likely toast each other and their friends and family who are celebrating with them. This is a wonderful opportunity to express their gratitude to those who have made their wedding possible.