Different types of weddings

A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of wedding vows by the couple, presentation of a gift (offering, ring(s), symbolic item, flowers, money), and a public proclamation of marriage by an authority figure or leader. Special wedding garments are often worn, and the ceremony is sometimes followed by a wedding reception. Music, poetry, prayers or readings from religious texts or literature are also commonly incorporated into the ceremony.

Types of Weddings

White wedding

A white wedding is a term for a traditional formal or semi-formal Western wedding. This term refers to the colour of the wedding dress, which became popular after Queen Victoria wore a pure white gown when she married Prince Albert

Civil wedding

A civil wedding is a ceremony presided over by a local civil authority. Civil wedding make no references to a particular religion or denomination. They can be either elaborate or simple. Many civil wedding ceremonies take place in local town or city halls or local hotels.

Elopement

Eloping is the act of getting married, often unexpectedly, without inviting guests to the wedding or in some cases only inviting a small group of family or friends to be present.

Indian wedding

See our Indian and Asian wedding page

Same-sex wedding

A same-sex wedding or civil partnership is a ceremony in which two people of the same sex are married

Officiants at same-sex weddings may be religiously ordained. Many religions and branches of religions, including Quakers, Unitarians, Ethical Culture, Reform and Reconstructionist Jews, the Metropolitan Community Church, and the Reformed Catholic Church perform and recognize same sex marriages.

Destination wedding

A destination wedding is one in where the wedding takes place in a holiday style setting. During the recession of 2009, destination weddings continued to see growth compared to traditional weddings, as the typically smaller size results in lower costs.

Weekend wedding

A weekend wedding is a wedding in which couples and their guests celebrate over the course of an entire weekend. Special activities, such as spa treatments and golf tournaments may be scheduled into the wedding itinerary.

Military wedding

A military wedding is a ceremony conducted in a military chapel and may involve a Saber Arch. In most military weddings the groom, bride, or both (depending on which is a member of the armed services) will wear a military dress uniform rather than civilian formal wear.

Double wedding

A double wedding is a single ceremony where two affianced couples rendezvous for two simultaneous or consecutive weddings. Typically, a fiancé with a sibling who is also engaged, or four close friends in which both couples within the friendship are engaged might plan a double wedding where both couples legally marry.