The Evolution of Weddings: A Cultural and Legal Perspective Report

This report delves into the multifaceted world of weddings, examining their cultural and legal dimensions. It begins with an executive summary highlighting the significance of weddings and the diverse traditions associated with them. The report then explores the evolution of wedding venues, the enduring traditions in Western weddings, and the legal changes affecting marriage globally. It covers topics such as destination weddings, theme weddings, and the emergence of same-sex marriage. The report analyzes how societal shifts and legal frameworks have reshaped wedding practices, emphasizing the importance of understanding the evolving expectations of stakeholders. Drawing on research and examples, the report provides a comprehensive overview of the cultural, social, and legal implications of weddings, reflecting on their enduring significance in human lives. The report also highlights the changing role of wedding planners and the increasing creativity in wedding celebrations. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of weddings as a memorable and significant event in people's lives and the evolving nature of marriage in the modern world.

Running head: WEDDINGS
WEDDINGS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1WEDDINGS
Executive Summary
The main aim of the paper is to understand the importance of the concept of the wedding. To
under the various culture and traditions associated with the traditional white weddings. A
Wedding is considered has a very important and auspicious occasion in the life of the people.
Marriages holds a lot of memories and significance in people`s life. Different types of
wedding plans are taking place along with various modes and scopes. Lastly the paper,
summarizes and concludes the various modes and types of wedding which gradually
indicating a progressive approach in the maturity and the take on wedding that change
eventually over the years.

2WEDDINGS
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................4
Figure 1: Traditional Wedding...........................................................................................5
DESCRIPTION..........................................................................................................................5
CHANGES IN THE WEDDING VENUE IN RECENT TIMES.........................................5
TRADITIONS IN THE WESTERN WEDDINGS................................................................5
CHANGES OVER TIME......................................................................................................6
THE LEGAL CHANGES FOR MARRIAGE IN THE WORLD.........................................7
Figure 2: Same Sex Weddings...........................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................10

3WEDDINGS
List of Table
Figure 1: Traditional Wedding...................................................................................................7
Figure 2: Same Sex Weddings.................................................................................................10

4WEDDINGS
INTRODUCTION
Weddings are a traditional ceremony where two people are united into the holy bond of
marriage. The various wedding traditions are and customs in different cultures are grealy
influenced by cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries and the social classes. Majority of
the weddings ceremonies mainly involves exchange of the marriage vows by the couple,
followed by the presentation of the gifts like offerings, rings, symbolic items flowers and
money. In addition, the marriage is officiated in the public by an authority figure or celebrant.
“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, as well as superstitious customs originating
in Ancient Rome” (Monger, 2013).

5WEDDINGS
Figure 1: Traditional
Wedding
DESCRIPTION
CHANGES IN THE WEDDING VENUE IN RECENT TIMES
In recent times the concepts of weddings venues holds a significant importance in the life of
the would be bride and bridegroom. Nowadays there are newer concepts of destination
weddings and theme weddings.
TRADITIONS IN THE WESTERN WEDDINGS
Some of very common and famous tradition in the Western weddings may include
1. Asking the bride’s father for permission to marry.
This practice and tradition was present since centuries and the “would – be-
groom” till date asks the permission of the bride`s father, his future father in law
before asking the bride`s hand in the marriage. However, this tradition and custom
over the past few years has been on decline. “Asking the bride’s father for his
permission first has been seen as an outdated practice by lots of people which can
be seen or asserted as male dominance over the bride, seeing her as a possession
to be passed from one male to another highlighting the concept of the patriarchal

6WEDDINGS
society. On the other hand, many see this as a romantic custom which should be
upheld”.
2. The Father walks the bride down the Aisle
It was a tradition and custom since the ancient time that the father of the bride
would walk the bride down the aisle in the wedding venue. However, this
tradition has changed over the times. In recent times many bride`s walk down
the aisle alone or with their mother. It totally depends upon the bride. “The
key to this traditions longevity is its ability to adapt and update with the
times”.
3. Parents of the Bride is Supposed to pay for the weddings.
According to the traditions, the parents of the bride are supposed to have paid
the bills during the weddings. However in recent times both the bride and the
bridegroom are independent and capable enough to take care of the wedding
themselves.
4. The speech from the best man.
Since times in memorial, it was a tradition that the best man is supposed to give a
speech about the groom during the weeding.
5. Wearing White during the Weddings.
“The wearing of a white wedding dress as we all know symbolised the
virginity of the bride”.
CHANGES OVER TIME
Wedding has always been a very special event in the lives of human beings. It marks new
stage in the lives of people, and they take the oath of staying with their loved ones for the rest

7WEDDINGS
of their lives. Thus people have been always arranging the wedding to make their event
special and memorable. Hence marriage has become quite an event in lives of people which
especially in the 21st century has escalated in a lot more creative way. Now a days people are
bringing in creativity and creating memories that they ought to cherish along with their closed
and loved ones. Thus the mode and the type of marriage is now a big question because there
are various options open to people, so that can choose and even create their own style. This
has resulted in the increase in the scope of the wedding planners their field of work has
expanded and hence they are working hard and gifting couples wonderful memories to
cherish. Some popular types of wedding are:
• Destination wedding: These types of wedding have become quite popular over the
past 5 years prominently, hence lots of couples are opting for the choice of destination
Wedding. The couples travel to a different and exotic destination and complete their wedding
process there and get married there, the relatives and the invitees also arrive there and attend
the wedding ceremony.
• Theme Wedding: there are various themes that re mostly applied for organizing the
Wedding, it may be of various subjects, like gothic, or may be based on any type of color
code (Daniels & Wosicki, 2013).
THE LEGAL CHANGES FOR MARRIAGE IN THE WORLD
There have a lot of changes that have been going, that has affected the lives of people along
their nature and regarding the nature of their love. Since wedding is the marriage of two
personalities therefore the favorable conditions must be met for establishing a legal marriage.
The emergence of same sex marriage has gained importance and also have become quite
popular. Due to this various couples have not been able to live peacefully with their loved
ones previously as the countries they lived in had not made any amendments for same sex

8WEDDINGS
marriage or love. Some countries still in the world have not allowed same sex marriage. The
establishment of love in a global platform has been going since the campaigns of the
LGBTQs started. Thus the number of same sex marriage has gained importance and
increased as well. Countries like- Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Ecuador, United States,
United Kingdoms and several others have encouraged the and legalized the same sex
marriage, hence the couples are now a lot free and are free to marry their loved ones legally
and safely. (Runions, 2016).
Figure 2: Same Sex Weddings
CONCLUSION
Wedding has always been a very auspicious ceremony in the lives of the people. Marriage is
a very pure event that people share in their lives which appears to be a lot memorable and
significant. People are now quite open regarding their marriage. Different types of wedding

9WEDDINGS
plans are taking place along with various modes and scopes. The paper summarizes and
specifies various modes and types of wedding gradually indicating a progressive approach in
the maturity and the take on wedding that change eventually over the years.

10WEDDINGS
REFERENCES
Carter, J., & Duncan, S. (2017). Wedding paradoxes: individualized conformity and the
‘perfect day’. The sociological review, 65(1), 3-20.
Daniels, M., & Wosicki, C. (2013). Wedding planning and management: Consultancy for
diverse clients. Routledge.
Dunak, K. M. (2016). As long as we both shall love: The white wedding in postwar America.
NYU Press.
Monger, G. P. (2013). Marriage Customs of the World: An Encyclopedia of Dating Customs
and Wedding Traditions, [2 volumes] (Vol. 1). Abc-clio.
Runions, E. (2016). Queering the Beast: The Antichrists’ Gay Wedding. In Queering the
Non/Human (pp. 107-138). Routledge.