In the UK the 29th of February (in a leap year) is said to be the one day (coming round only once every four years) when a woman can propose to her partner. It is usual for a couple to be engaged for a while before they get married. An engagement is actually an agreement or promise to marry, and also refers to the time between proposal and marriage. During this period, a couple is said to be affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. A man who is engaged to be married is called his partner's fiancé; a woman similarly engaged is called her partner's fiancée.
A churchman will ask whether they are willing to marry each other and they have to make promises of loyalty to each other. Ironically, Britain is one of the countries with highest divorce rate in the developed country.
The Etiquette at wedding ceremony
Lead-in exercises
婚誓 蜜月 伴郎 牧师 新娘 结婚典礼 婚宴 伴娘 主婚人 新郎 wedding ceremony bride bridegroom officiator pastor groomsman bridesmaid honeymoon wedding reception vows
二十周年： 二十周年：瓷婚 China wedding 二十五周年： 二十五周年：银婚 Silver wedding 三十周年：珍珠婚 Pearl wedding 三十周年： 三十五周年： 三十五周年：珊瑚婚 Coral wedding 碧玉婚 Jade wedding 四十周年： 四十周年：红宝石婚 Ruby wedding 四十五周年： 四十五周年：蓝宝石婚 Sapphire wedding 五十周年： 五十周年：金婚 Golder wedding 五十五周年： 五十五周年：翠玉婚 Emerald wedding 六十或七十五周年： 六十或七十五周年：钻婚 Diamond wedding
Now British society is considered to be permissive, which allows a considerable amount of freedom. In terms of marriage the young people do not like to have control placed on them by other family members. It is quite normal for a girls of 16 to go out with a boyfriend. If they are together for a long time and know each other well, the girl would invite her boyfriend to her house to meet her parents.
Opening words of the officiant
Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join ___________ and ___________ in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
THE BRIDE' S VOWS Officiator: < bride> , do you take < groom> to be your lawfully wedded husband? Bride: I do. Officiator: Do you pledge to love, cherish, and honor him, through all your time in Dereth? Bride: I do. Officiator: Do you promise to remain faithful unto him, to support him, to be his finest friend, through all trials and tribulations, joys and victories? Bride: I do. Officiator: What seal do you place upon your vows? Bride: The seal of [my own honor/the name of a higher authority].
According to English law , no child can get married below the age of 16. If they are between 16 and 18 the parents’ consent to the marriage is necessary, but over the age of 18 the parents’ consent is unnecessary. Most girls and nearly all men are over 18 when they get married. Marriage marks the beginning of a new and independent family.
For the wedding, most British couples, whether religious or not, will go to church to have the ceremony. Other couples may go to a registry office to have the ceremony, where the ceremony is usually less formal and more purely legal. For the church ceremony the bride dressed in a long white dress and attended by her close friends and relatives.
Before the Wedding
Marriage is usually initiated by a proposal of marriage, simply called "a proposal". In a heterosexual relationship, the man traditionally proposes to the woman and the actual proposal often has a ritual quality, involving the presentation of a ring (an engagement ring) and the formalized asking of a question such as "Will you marry me?" The man may even go down on one knee before proposing. If the proposal is accepted, the couple become engaged. In the United Kingdom, the engagement ring is worn, by the woman, on the fourth finger of the left hand.
If they had made private promise to marry, the boy will buy an engagement ring for the girl. The engagement ring is placed on the third finger of the girl’s left hand. If the girl changes her mind, she usually returns the ring. If they continue getting along well, the engagement ring will be replaced by the wedding ring of plain gold.