In the United States and Canada, weddings follow traditions often based on religion, culture, and social norms.
Most wedding traditions in the United States and Canada were assimilated from generally European countries.
[1][failed verification] Marriages in the U.S. and Canada are typically arranged by the participants and ceremonies may either be religious or civil.
[1][failed verification] Finally, for the first time in public, the couple is pronounced as married and referred to as the other's husband or wife.
[1][failed verification] The couple leaves the building, and family and friends throw rice or wheat their way, which symbolizes fertility.
Weddings are sometimes held outdoors or in other buildings instead of churches, and officiants may not be religious leaders but other people licensed by the state.
Not until the middle of the 19th century did brides start buying a dress made specifically for their wedding day.
At the same time, couples began to hire professionals to prepare floral arrangements and wedding cakes, rather than making them at home.
[3][failed verification] Today, couples in the United States and Canada are waiting later in life to get married.
[4] In Canada, the average age for males and females getting married varies on depending on province or territory but are usually 16 or older.
[5] Something old, something new,Something borrowed, something blue,A silver sixpence in her shoe.The saying, "Something old, something new, / Something borrowed, something blue, / A silver sixpence in her shoe" dates back to the Victorian era and requires the bride to accessorize her wedding attire in certain ways to promote good luck in her new marriage.
[6][failed verification] The borrowed item must come from a happily married woman in order to pass on marital happiness onto the new couple.
[6][failed verification] The silver sixpence is meant to be tucked into the bride's shoe and is supposed to bring the new couple wealth in money and love in their new life together.
[1][failed verification] The couple may add a list of desired gifts—usually necessities for a new household, such as dishes and bedding—to a bridal registry.
The best man often organizes a bachelor party shortly before the wedding, where male friends join the groom in a "last night of freedom" from the responsibilities of marriage.
Today, this is done merely to uphold tradition and superstition, but the idea stems from the early days when marriages were arranged.
Including bridesmaids in the ceremony originated as a technique of confusing evil spirits as to who the actual bride was.
[11] Groomsmen originated not for protection, but many centuries ago when men had to capture women in order to marry them.
[13] A way that guests at a wedding can participate in giving the bride and groom a lucky future is by the tradition of throwing rice.
As a symbol of luck, the newly married woman traditionally throws her bouquet to the unmarried women at the wedding.
[11][dead link] Throwing the bride's garter to the single men at the wedding is a tradition similar to the bouquet toss.
[9][dead link] There are not many wedding traditions that are unique to the United States and Canada because most are derived from other cultures.
[citation needed] In a Jewish wedding both the bride and the groom are walked down the aisle by both of their parents, which is different from other religions.
Other traditions include taking seven steps together as a married couple, wearing Henna on the hands and feet, and the groom putting a dot of sindur on his bride's forehead.
Whether the couple is Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, or any other religion, it is common practice to get married in the religious house of that faith.
These common practices include designer dresses, groomsmen wearing tuxedos, elaborate invitations, beautiful flowers, limousine service, and fine dining and live music at a reception that follows the ceremony.
From getting to spend an extended time with family, to an easy transition to a honeymoon, destination weddings are very appealing.
The arch is usually formed at the conclusion of the ceremony, and the head usher signals the formation by yelling "center face".
[20] To marry by elopement has traditionally meant that the wedding ceremony is done suddenly and in secret, usually with just the minimum number of witnesses necessary for legal purposes.
Although it is still done without many family and friends present, the modern elopement is not always shrouded in secrecy, and the couple may pay for wedding videos and photography.