Several speeches are given at this time. The pastor will give a speech on the importance of marriage. Often family members of the bride and groom will give speeches as well.


At the start of the ceremony, the parents of the bride and groom enter and are seated at the front. Next the bridal party enters.
First the pastor and groom The groomsmen The bridesmaids The flower girl and ring bearer

**Single Parent Homes
Only one parent Growing rapidly in America**

**When the single parent is working, there are a number of ways that the child is cared for:



**The bride enters at this time. She is led by her father. If her father has passed away, the most important man of her choosing will lead her to the front. All people attending the wedding stand at this point.**



**Families often work like the country – a democracy. 60 % of mothers work** The husband and wife are the primary decision makers. They usually work as a team. What children want is often considered too.


**Marriages traditionally take place inside a church. Often, even couples that don’t have any religious beliefs prefer this way.** But marriages can take place about anywhere: a beach, forest, mountain, football field, or even a cave if the couple desires.
Grandparents
Afterschool Programs Babysitters**

**“DINK”
“Double Income, No Kids” Millions of couples inhomes are often like their culture – tailored to individual tastes.** It is not unusual to see a barn-like house and one with Greek style columns close to each other. **Only 20% of Americans live in rural America now (the countryside).** The average American moves every five years.


**Dining out at a “sit down restaurant” is a popular way that families spend time together. Other forms of family time range from playing games, seeing a movie, or learning skills from parents (such as cooking or sports.)**

**Most Americans seek marriage as a means of satisfaction in their lives.**


At the time of engagement, the boy gives the girl an engagement ring. The ring is a symbol of lasting love and a promise to marry. At the time of marriage, husband and wife exchange wedding rings.

**After the speeches comes the act of marriage.
The pastor again tells of the importance of



marriage. The bride and groom exchange wedding vows and wedding rings. Together they light a candle to show their unity. The pastor says “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.” At this point they are officially married.**

**Traditional Family
Husband, wife, and their children Living in a house or apartment**



Though this has largely changed – in the traditional family, women stay home as housewives to care for the children. **The average age of a man when he first marries is 28. The average age of a woman is 26.**
Pastor to Groom-And now, in token that your hearts are joined together in love, will you please join your right hands.
__________, this woman whom you hold by the hand is to be your wife. She has given you one of the most sacred things under heaven: a woman's life and a woman's love. You may bring her great joy or cause her deep sorrow. It is not what you bring her in a material way that will make true happiness--riches without love are nothing. The gift without the giver is bare. The practice of those virtues as husband that you have shown as her lover will keep her heart won to your heart. Do you vow here, as you have promised __________ that you will be true and loyal, patient in sickness, comforting in sorrow, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her so long as you both shall live?




The man overseeing the marriage is usually the pastor, but other people can also do it if they are certified. **The pastor is the one who declares the man and woman to be husband and wife. The husband and wife recite their wedding vows (promises) before him.** He will usually give a speech at the wedding.



**Meals are often eaten “on the run.” Dinner is typically the only meal that families will eat together. Dinner topics are usually things like homework, news, and the happenings of the day.** Grocery store shopping is usually done in bulk because it is more convenient.