Psychology

Abstract
Wedding ceremonies are more of cultural rituals followed in different cultures and traditions. In this paper, different cultures are to be explored for wedding ceremonies that are held in accordance to cultural beliefs. Many cultures ensure that celebrations take place ensuring blessings and happiness spreading in loved ones and the couple.

Introduction
Two people being united in marriage or any related institution is known as marriage. Marriage customs and traditions vary between many countries according to culture. These variations are seen in various ethnicities, tribes, areas and regions, religions, as well as social classes. Most common element in marriages is an exchange of vows, rings, flowers or money between couples and proclamation of marriage in public. For any marriage, special garments are prepared that are worn on wedding days and wedding ceremonies and in many cases is followed by a wedding reception. Other factors that are also incorporated in wedding ceremonies include dances that depict celebration, religious readouts, and music. These are some of the factors inclusive in many marriages and wedding ceremonies across many countries. Wedding ceremonies are a sign of celebration and happiness in all cultures and religions thereby elements included in these ceremonies include music and cultural dances (Meekers, 1992, p. 61).

Elements Common in All Cultures
White wedding is usually observed in western cultures and white wedding culture has been adopted by many other cultures. It is known as white wedding as bride wears white veil and a white gown or dress. Foundations of these kinds of wedding cultures were laid down by Queen Victoria. Historians have argued that wearing white by Queen Victoria in those times may or may not be a sign of extravagance. On the other hand, it has been argued that Queen Victoria was known for moral values she had thereby she chose white that depicted sexual wholesomeness. Western cultures are known for white wedding cultures but it has been seen that if a woman wears white dress on her second or subsequent wedding, it is considered as unusual. On the other hand, it is observed that an ideology laid down by queen Victoria that white dress represents sexual purity of a woman has been abandoned since a long time. Certain authors have even criticized this ideology as Judith Martin, criticizing it as distasteful.

In Europe and America, use of wedding ring has been a part of wedding ceremonies. Origin of tradition of rings in wedding ceremonies is still unclear. Many historians believe that an ancient ceremony has been adopted by modern generations with an innovation. In one case, double ring ceremonies have been observed which are no longer observed in the modern days. Grooms bands were a tradition in older days and it was not being followed until 20th century. A reception ceremony is also observed in these ceremonies followed by many other traditions including toasting newlywed couples, first dances of spouses, testimonials, and cutting a wedding cake (Kiernan, 2001, 12).

Wedding Garbs in Different Culture
Chinese traditional formal wear worn on wedding days are often known as CheongsamorHanfu. In Indonesia, garbs worn in Javanese people in Indonesia are known as BatikandKebaya. In Philippines, mens garment is usually embroidered and is referred to as Barong and Tagalog. Traditional garments worn in Japanese men is known as Kimono. In India traditional garment worn by Indian women is known as Sari. In southern India, Dhoti is usual dress worn by men on weddings. West African region is known for its famous wedding attire Dashiki. Vietnam has been known for garments worn by Vietnamese men known as Aodai. Scottish culture has been well known for its male garments known as Kilt. Orthodox Jewish weddings are known for Kittel. Other than these, tuxedos, black ties are a symbol of western weddings. Tuxedos are a choice in western weddings that are to take place after 6pm. White ties are worn in British weddings and these are known to be worn formally in eveningwear. Sherwani is a wear worn by Asian men in their weddings. In addition to these, common elements known as wedding crown often worn by Scandinavian brides, wedding gowns, wedding dresses, and Langa Oni worn by unmarried Telugu Hindu women.

Music played at weddings
In this section, two main cultures shall be discussed. These include music being played at western weddings and Jewish weddings. Music played at weddings are known as wedding march and this is defined as a processional song played when a couple walks down an aisle and in some cases it is known as reception music. Many marriages are known for fine plays of trumpets and organs being played in many weddings. One of the most famous tunes played are Jeremiah Clarkes Prince of Denmarks March, Henry Purces Trumpet Tune as well as John Stanleys Trumpet Voluntary. Some selections that are played at marriage ceremonies include George Frideric Handels Alla Hornpipe. Moreover, other famous tunes include Richard Wagnes Bridal Chorus and one of his selections played at processionals include Here Comes the Bride. Another processional used in weddings in place of Richard Wagnes Bridal Chorus being anti semitic is Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel. As recessionals, Felix Mendelssohns Wedding March andincidental music is often played and in the past, it was played for Shakespeareplay,A Midsummer Nights Dream.

In case of Jewish weddings, solemn or wordless tunes are often sung when bride and groom walk down the aisle.

Global Wedding Customs
African Customs
In Ethiopia, an individual is sent by grooms side who requests for a wedding between two parties thereby setting foundations for a further wedding ceremony. Before wedding ceremony takes place, as per agreement, dowry is given or exchanges. A concept of bestmen is followed in African cultures in which groom and chosen and selected three to four bestmen go to brides house on the wedding day. As a celebration of wedding, brides family usually block enhances of the house and as a result of this groom and bride use force and make their ways into the house by singing. First chosen bestman is known to hold and spray perfume all around the house.

In Nigerian marriage customs, as in West African countries, husbands never use wifes name as it is a tradition that unmarried girls are called by their fathers names until they are married. After marriage, names that are given to girls by their fathers are not to be used by their husbands. In order to learn name of the married woman, an individual has to ask her husband, name of the married woman and by permission has to use her original name. Nigerian tradition is known for community based singing done to inform other people from a society that a woman is going to get married to a man. In other words, it has been seen that singing and dancing are two very important components of Nigerian weddings and these are always in combination with feasts that are usually arranged for larger gatherings. Other than these, it has been observed that Nigerian weddings are known for keeping newly married women inside their huts until her husband is let inside (Kiernan, 2001, p. 19).

Wedding Traditions Followed By Pygmies
As observed, duration and traditions of Pygmy marriages are not longer or time consuming. However, there is an exchange of visits between concerned families. Gifts that are known to be exchanged between in-laws and families are games or a pack of arrows. In later days, groom takes his bride home in order to start living with his family. Nigerian custom allows more than one wives.

Arabian Weddings
In Arab world, many Christian weddings also take place and these generally follow western white wedding traditions. Arab countries are known for weddings following Muslim and Islamic traditions. Arabic wedding always begin with Sheikh and AL-Kitab for bride and groom. Islamic traditions are known for main condition that bride and groom must be willing and in some cases, it has been seen that groom visits and meets bride before wedding takes place in order to be sure that mental understanding takes place. These visits and meetings are in accordance to Islamic teachings. However, these kinds of visits are always chaperoned in order to ensure purity of relationship between the two. Segregation always takes place between men and women in marriage ceremonies as areas are separated for men and women (Kulczycki, and Lobo, 2002, p. 204).

Bengali Wedding Ceremonies
Bengal is known for having both Muslim as well as Hindu population thereby both kinds of weddings take place in Bengal. Quiet distinct wedding rituals are observed in Muslim and Hindu weddings thereby many religious rituals are found in Bengali people.

Chinese Marriage Ceremony
Main parts of Chinese marriages are general pre-arrangements between families of bride and groom. Ceremonial rituals are followed within Chinese societies in marriages. Chinese cultures are allowed to have monogamy that was seen as a norm in Chinese cultures and romantic love was allowed. Gongs and flute like instruments are accompanied with bride and groom on their way home. It is seen that similar kind of music is played at wedding banquets. Traditions followed by Chinese couples also depend on regions to which the Chinese brides and grooms belong. A tradition of such kind is tea ceremony or using wedding emcee. Glamour shots are also taken for couples after marriage and these are in multiple gowns and colorful backgrounds.

Cantonese Wedding
Chinese weddings traditions are followed in Cantonese ways. However, there are many rituals found to be particular in Cantonese tradition. Price of bride is based on economic status of groom. Bride price is not considered fair in many cases thereby this practice is not demanding among families. Gold jewelry, fine fabric, a roasted pig or money is given to the bride in order to assert that she is pure. Elderly couples and older couples gift the wedded couples various gifts and tea is served by younger members of family.

European Customs
British Weddings
British weddings are known for white dress cultures. White dress is known to symbolize sexual purity in western culture and foundations of this ideology were laid down by queen Victoria. Widows, divorcees and women getting married for the second time are not encouraged to wear white thereby these kinds of cultures in Catholic and Protestant cultures are known as white weddings.

Wedding reception is an important part of a British wedding. This wedding reception is often known as a wedding reception in which a huge wedding cake is served to large gathering of guests. First couple dance during marriage ceremony. Toasting the couple is a traditional element followed generally in these gatherings. Often the bride throws out her bouquet to all unmarried people in gathering and this is a tradition that says that an individual who catches the bouquet first shall wed next.

Wedding breakfast is an important element in which every important member of the family is invited in order to celebrate the occasion. A member of the family who has played an important role in wedding is present in this gathering. First meal of newly wedded bride and groom is ensured in this breakfast as this couple is now lawfully wedded husband and wife. These traditional breakfasts include traditional buffets, drinks, roasts. Modern British tradition being followed these days in these marriages is that the bride wears something very traditional, some dress that predicts very old traditions, a dress that is very blue and borrowed. This kind of tradition is thought to be lucky and a sign of good luck.

French Wedding Customs
French customs are known for the fact that weddings performed in public in gatherings on a civil level are considered legal. These weddings are performed in town halls. Mayor is especially invited in these weddings in order to conclude these weddings in town halls. A condition generally observed in case of French weddings is that one individual from the couple must belong to city where wedding is taking place. Often French families also wish to arrange a religious ceremony for wedding thereby after a civil arrangement of civil ceremonies, religious arrangements are ensured by some families as desired. Town halls are only arranged for marriages in which couples wish to marry in civil manner. Civil arrangements in French gatherings usually have kisser gatherings and these only involve close relatives. Conclusion of civil marriages involves gifting freshly marred couple a livret de famille that includes a booklet with a copy of marriage certificate. This is an official document and if couple has children in future, their information is also recorded in this booklet. In France, civil marriages are free of charge (Kiernan, 2001, 19).

As compared to bigger French cities, smaller French towns are known for weddings being held in chapel. Traditions being followed in this case involve breakfast at brides house on wedding day and she is escorted to the chapel in the same town for ceremony to take place in public. White ribbons are spread across streets that are to be crossed by the bride as these ribbons are to be cut along her way by the bride. In the chapel, two red velvet chairs are arranged on which bride and groom are seated and these chairs are arranged below a silk canopy known as care. Across their paths, leaves of laurel are scattered when couple exists the chapel. Toasting cup is used by couple and is known as Coupe de Marriage. In past it has been seen that a small piece of toasting was dropped on couples wines in order to ensure healthy, happy and prosperous life.

In some cases, French traditions are known to serve a wedding cake in similar manners as seen in British cultures. However, instead of a wedding cake, some couples also use croquembouche, a crme filled pastry puffs and caramel glaze is drizzled over it (Kiernan, 2001, p. 15).

Greek Customs
A celebration known as Krevati is arranged in Greek weddings. This celebration is arranged in new home of Greek couple. Party and music after this celebration is observed in order to ensure prosperity of new couple. In Greek weddings, days of weddings are usually Friday till Sunday. Grooms are not allowed to see their brides until wedding days. groom arrives earlier in the church and it is seen that brides usually arrive late in churches. After exchange of flowers and welcoming gestures, an individual who has been chosen as best person puts rings and crowns on couples. Between one and three sips are taken from same glasses of red wine. It is not mentioned as communion but it is referred to as sharing a cup of life.

Italian Customs
Serenade is thrown outside of brides home in Italy. Friends and family of groom wait for the bride outside their homes for bride and until bride appears friends and family of groom enjoy themselves. After bride appears, groom sings a song to her and ceremony is concluded when song ends. Green color is very important in Italian weddings and as compared to something old and blue, something green is preferred. It is believed that green color is very important and lucky for a couple. Moreover, bridesmaid and veil is also added to Italian wedding and this ideology has been adopted from roman weddings in which it is believed that brides should be veiled so they are saved from any evil spirits.

Polish Customs
In case of polish weddings, it is seen that the celebrations may continue for two to three days. Future groom organizes family gathering and during this family gathering the groom asks bride to marry him. As compared to these older customs, newer customs in wedding ceremonies are more intimate. Parents and in laws bless their grooms and brides their blessings. Bride and groom walk to aisle in presence of witnesses and relatives in church on order to carry out ceremonial vows. Bridesmaid, veils and bride walking down an aisle is unusual in polish weddings.

Traditionally bride wears a whit dress and a veil. Groom usually wears a fitted suit fooled by a bowtie, as this dress is known to be a signature of every polish wedding. Wedding rings are worn in right hands (Kiernan, 2001, 56).

Conclusion
Marriages are celebration that are known around the world for uniqueness introduced in different cultures as discussed above. In all these celebrations it is seen that brides and grooms are usually selected by parents and in-laws and all gatherings ensure that blessings are given to newly wedded couple.