A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. There has been marriage in one form or another for almost as long as the human race has existed. In the United States, at least 2 million people get married each year. This journey should be full of joy, discovery, fulfillment, adventure, contentment, responsibility, trust, and companionship. One of the most important things to know is what marriage means to you and your partner. This is a time for the two of you to begin a new stage in life. Take the time to talk about what marriage means to both of you. In prehistoric times pairings were based on physical attributes, with males choosing a female who was strong, fit, and well-shaped, all classic signs of healthy and fertile. Males would be selected on their ability to hunt, provide and defend. Settling into small nomadic family groups. The earliest marriages between a bride and groom took place in England from 410 to 1066. These marriages were just simple agreements between families or tribes to create peaceful relationships, political advancement, and trading relationships. During the middle ages, we saw the rise of marriage laws. In 1076, The Council of Westminster made it a law that marriage must be done by a priest. In the 16th century, it was said that the marriage must be performed by a priest with witnesses present. While those with wealth or political standing would choose to marry young, those without wealth would usually wait. This was because both parties were expected to provide for their families. Whether it be within the home or tending to the land. In many cultures, men would enter military service until their twenties, before that they would become engaged to a younger woman. Once they returned from service these women would be able to physically capable of surviving childbirth, and they would marry. Over time legal agreements changed from dowries, property rights, prenuptial agreements, marriage contracts, and licenses. In modern times still, in some countries, they would offer a dowry to the bride's family for her hand. This was considered the wedding gift from the groom’s family and would remain the bride’s property. Once a deal was reached, the feast would confirm the engagement. Marriage has also been a way to control and demean others. In 1563, the Council of Trent deemed marriage to be one of the seven sacraments. These are requirements the Catholic church sees as ways to get into God's good graces. Pre-marital counseling may be urged or required for the engaged couple. I am a firm believer in counseling at any stage of a marriage. It allows for your partner and you to be able to communicate through a neutral party. Till 1967, interracial marriage and 2015, gay marriage was illegal in all U.S. states. A marriage officiant officiates at the wedding. They are validating the wedding from a legal and/or religious standpoint. This person may be a civil servant, judge, justice of the peace, ordained family friend, or a member of the clergy. The vows that each couple recites are a commitment to each other. This does not mean that they are legal contracts with each other. Most people when they get married unless they choose to recite their vows will recite 1549, Thomas Cranmer’s The Book of Common Prayer vows. Handfasting started traditionally in the Celtic region. Once the decided couple was betrothed they had a year and a day from that date to marry. In ancient times the customary engagement feast is when the groom would give his betrothed an iron ring. The couple would clasp right hands, and vow to their consent and union. The couple would often sacrifice an animal together for the Gods to bless their union. Not only would the wife’s family be expected to pay for the festivities. The marriage ceremony was simple. The couple would speak their vows in front of the Goddess Var. The bride would carry a symbol dedicated to Thor asking him to bless her. The couple would request Freyr to make their union a happy and fruitful one. The couple would be led to a bridal couch to sit on and a lavish feast lasting at least three days. In traditional Chinese weddings, the tea ceremony is the equivalent of exchanging vows at a Western wedding ceremony. The tea ceremony is an official ritual to introduce the newlyweds to each other's family. From the moment the bride leaves her home with the groom to his house, a "Good Luck Woman" will hold a red umbrella over her head, meaning, "Raise the bark, spread the leaves." The red umbrella protects the bride from evil spirits. The newlyweds kneel in front of their parents presenting tea. A Good Luck Woman making the tea says a blessing to the newlyweds and their families. The newlyweds also present tea to each other, raising the tea cups high to show respect before presenting the tea to each other. A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
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As a mom of three boys who go to public school I started to notice that some things were not being taught in detail so I decided to create lessons for them. Many of these lessons cover science, history and of information about Paganism. I share crafts for the all different holidays and cultures as ways that they can learn and have fun at the same time.
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