What happens at a traditional Christian wedding in the UK? And what other types of wedding are there? Join Amandeep as she meets a young British couple on their wedding day.

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then, watch the video and do the exercises. Remember you can read the transcript at any time.

Transcript

Amandeep: The sound of bells in an English churchyard. The bells signal a very special event for one couple because today is their wedding day. Stevie and Bobby are engaged and are allowing Word on the Street to follow them on their special day when they become man and wife. The day starts very early in the morning for the bride, Stevie, and bridesmaids help her with the preparations. I spoke to Stevie as she was getting ready.
How are you feeling?
Stevie: Feeling … a little bit nervous but very excited.
Amandeep: And what have you got left to do?
Stevie: Just having my hair done now, then put on my dress after.
Across town at Bobby’s house, there is lots of food to prepare and Bobby’s also getting ready.
Bobby: Nice to meet you.
Amandeep: So it’s your big day today?
Bobby: It is.
Amandeep: Fantastic. Is this the main suit?
Bobby: It is. This is it.
Amandeep: Brilliant. Just check it fits all OK, it’s ironed well …
Bobby: Yep.
Amandeep: It looks good.
Bobby and Stevie are having a traditional Christian wedding in a church. But today in Britain there are many different marriage ceremonies, depending on the religion or beliefs of the couple.
A civil ceremony is a non-religious legal marriage that takes place somewhere other than a place of worship. Same-sex couples can also get married in Britain.
To understand more about today’s ceremony, I met the vicar who’s going to be leading it.
Amandeep: What are the origins of this marriage ceremony?
Rev. Chris Shipley: This marriage ceremony goes back first to the Reformation in the 16th century and then further back in time and it is a standard Christian wedding with Christian vows made in the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amandeep: And what’s your advice for a long and successful marriage?
Chris: A good deal of tolerance, a willingness to ask for help and a sense of humour.
Amandeep: The groom arrives first, and waits for his bride. The atmosphere at a wedding is a mixture of pride, joy and celebration. There may be a few tears, too – of happiness.
The bride arrives in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by her father. And now the ceremony can begin.
Chris: Bobby and Stevie have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.
Amandeep: With those important words and the signing of the official register, Bobby and Stevie are now legally husband and wife. After some photographs to record the big day, everybody will go to a local hall for dinner and a big party called the reception. So a big congratulations to the newly married couple from Word on the Street!

Discussion

Have you ever been to a marriage ceremony? How do people celebrate weddings in your country?

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Comments

Submitted by Baldbanana on Thu, 08/25/2022 - 12:25

I'v never been to a marriage ceremony, but I can tell you about it. I'll try to rephrase the information from the Internet Preparing for a wedding takes time, relatives take part in this event. Invitations are sent to guests. Celebration taking place in a restaurant or the women cook different meals. The cars in which the guests of the wedding and the bride with groom will travel are decorated. Also before the wedding it’s important to choose two witnesses. One of them must be a man and the other one – a girl. They are usually friends or relatives of the young couple.

Submitted by GiovannaMejia24_ on Thu, 05/20/2021 - 13:59

I have only been to two weddings and they always dance the víbora de la mar and put bills on the grooms shirt, also have a catholic ceremony
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Submitted by Andrii on Thu, 10/01/2020 - 20:02

I've never been to a wedding, but I know that in our country the ceremony is nearly the same.
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Submitted by empty on Sat, 07/06/2019 - 06:28

Wedding in my country has major differences . Firstly , the groom and the bride arrive together , and then after some traditions , and when they're legally husband and wife , Everyone goes to a very big charming room and dance .
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