Wedding Traditions & Customs

Marriage traditions in the USA are held tightly to by the most forward-thinking couples. They are steeped in a reverence for the marriage vow and highly anticipated for the celebratory nature of...

Both the wedding ring and engagement ring are worn on the third, or ring, finger of the left hand, and, according to the rules of proper etiquette, the wedding ring goes on first. Wedding-ring...

Chinese weddings are planned with actions and symbols to wish the new couple a successful marriage. For the Chinese, marital success means financial stability, fertility, and most importantly, the...

Unity candles have long been used in wedding ceremonies to symbolize two becoming one, through marriage or partnership. The exact period when unity candles became a popular tradition is largely...

Hope chests are wooden boxes that women traditionally used to collect supplies for her marriage, as well as a place to store special things from past generations. They can be as plain or as...

Chinese marriage traditions have changed and progressed over the centuries. In ancient China, men were permitted to have many concubines following their first marriage. Arranged marriages were...

A Muslim contract is made when a couple decides to get married. The male will have to prove that he can afford to support his future wife in order for the marriage to be approved by the parents of...

First, if you have come here to read how to celebrate your 10 year wedding anniversary, Congratulations! 10 years of wedded bliss, or 10 years of ups and downs; either way 10 years of marriage is...

When a girl has reached a certain age where her family feels that she is stepping into womanhood, she is given an empty wooden chest, made of--or lined with--cedar. The hope chest is often given...

In regard to Hindu marriage law, the term "Hindu" includes not only those who are Hindu by religion, but also Buddists, Sikhs and Jains. In India, the Hindu Marriage Law includes anyone who is not...

There are a few different reasons why someone wants to legally change his or her name: upon getting married; following a divorce; or for personal reasons such as disassociation with other family...

The reasons for legally changing a name have differed throughout history, but today it's still popular to take the surname of your husband, to change your name for commercial purposes or to...

Are you thinking of writing your own personal wedding vows? There are several things to consider before you write the language that ties you together for eternity. If you want to write the most...

When a Jewish couple marries, the husband gives the wife what is called the Ketubah, or marriage contract. It is a tradition that goes back thousands of years, and the document is often turned...

Pre-Cana marriage preparation, and other similar programs, are designed to allow married couples to pass along the lessons they learned to engaged couples. Like any teacher, the mentor couple...

As more states allow civil unions and same-sex marriage, many people are coming to the defense of traditional marriage. In addition to national efforts, state organizations are mobilizing to...

Second marriage ceremonies are no longer bound by the restrictions they once were. Go contemporary or ultratraditional, understated or glamorous. The choices are yours.