Rituals and Symbols in Wedding Ceremonies are fundamental to celebrants both religious and civil.  As soon as the ceremony is undertaken, symbols come into play.

There are 5 “W”s of Symbolic Ritual, What?, Who?, Where?, Why? and When? and this week we will focus on Who?

Who?  Who will actually participate in the ritual?

Often this may be the wedding couple but as in the example of ‘giving away of the bride’ the ritual could be undertaken by the traditional father or senior male family member, or could involve both father and mother or indeed some combination of an extended family.

Giving Away or Presentation of the Bride

The tradition or symbolic ritual of giving the bride away is very common in Australian weddings.  This tradition dates back to the time when females had a subservient role in society.  Obviously things have changed big time.  Remember that it was only just on 100 years ago, that women got the vote.  Weddings were arranged for the mutual benefit of the families of the couple and as such the father of the prospective bride gave her away often with some sort of payment involved.  I’m sure in this day and age there would be some fathers who would much prefer to revert to the old way than having to save a small fortune to pay for the wedding.

Modern civil weddings continue with the ritual but now often modify the giving to involve both mother and father of the bride.  Some brides don’t feel as if a proper ceremony has occurred if this ritual was not included but most would be horrified to think they were a simple piece of property being traded.  In this case the symbol of the ritual has developed from a property transaction to one of involving the family in the wedding process.  Often this symbolic act is now referred to as the Presentation of the Bride.

Below I have listed some examples of how this ritual may be incorporated: presented.

Celebrant:               Who supports Groom/Bride in his/her choice to marry
                                 Bride/Groom?

Groom/Bride’s
parents:                  We do.

Celebrant:              Who brings Bride to be married with Groom?

Brides Parent:       I do, with my loving support and best wishes for their
                               happiness.

Celebrant:           Who brings this woman to stand beside this man?

Bride’s father:     I do.

Celebrant:            As parents of the bride, are you willing now and always to
                             encourage and strengthen this marriage, by upholding both
                             Bride and Groom with love and support?

Parents:              We will.

This Newsletter's ZIP or ZAP

Keep a copy of your bridal waltz song and play it back on your anniversary – see if he remembers.

Til next time,

Annie.

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