What Wedding Ceremony Rituals & Traditions are used Today?

Some wedding ceremony rituals & traditions are used so often that we expect them.  The ‘kiss’ is one of these traditions that we see in most ‘western culture’ weddings.  Further, these ‘expected’ rituals are often regarded as ‘must have’  wedding traditions.

Exchanging or giving of wedding rings is a popular ritual or tradition that is part of many wedding ceremonies.  The bride may receive a wedding ring, or the bride and groom may exchange weddings rings.  Wedding rings are regarded as tokens or symbols of the loving vows made in the marriage contract.  However, couples may choose to exchange or give other some form of love token rather than rings.

But back to the ‘kiss’ and its significance.  What is its history?

The Kiss Wedding Ceremony Ritual

The ritual and tradition of kissing is believed to be the action that sealed the marriage contract for a couple in Roman times.  Mind you, the Romans used the act of kissing to ‘seal the deal’ in any legal contract!

As time went on, the ritual of ‘the kiss’ in the wedding ceremony took on a more romantic touch.  Some cultures regard the wedding kiss as the first time that the bride and groom actually touch each other as husband and wife.

In modern times, the bride and groom may hold hands during the exchange of vows, so the kiss as the ‘first touch’ doesn’t really apply.  Today, the kiss ritual is most often performed immediately following the pronouncement of the couple as husband and wife.  The kiss is still regarded as ‘sealing the union’ between the bride and groom in today’s wedding ceremonies.

There are many other rituals that you can use in your wedding ceremony.  As a Brisbane Marriage Celebrant, I am very happy to include the rituals and traditions of your choice in your wedding ceremony.  You can find information about wedding ceremony rituals & traditions on the Rituals page of this website.