Engagement - what is it?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Over time, wedding traditions and rituals are forgotten and become a thing of the past. Very often terms and customs are used that are completely uncharacteristic of the culture of a certain country. In addition, many do not understand what an engagement and betrothal are, and what is the difference between them.

How the engagement stage used to go

Betrothal is the putting on of rings for the bride and groom. In ancient times, wedding ceremonies were divided into several stages. Initially, civil betrothal appeared, which was carried out according to existing local traditions. The ceremony of betrothal was performed solemnly, with the signing of the marriage contract.

The process was accompanied by the union of the hands of the newlyweds, the groom gave the ring. Since the 10th century, they have already been betrothed in the church, accompanying this ceremony with appropriate prayers. However, for a long time this ceremony was held strictly separately from the wedding.

Since the 17th century, it has been believed that betrothal is the naming of young people as a bride and groom. This ceremony became a kind of test of the fidelity of lovers, since they were no longer free, although they were celibate before the official marriage. The betrothal was separated from the wedding by a certain time. On theThis ceremony was attended only by close relatives, as well as a matchmaker and a matchmaker. From that day on, the young kept the rings and exchanged them only on the wedding day.

In our time, engagement and wedding take place immediately on the same day, so be sure to choose the right rings for this event. Before the wedding, the newlyweds must register their relationship with the registry office and from there go to the church for the wedding. In the church, at the wedding, the newlyweds put on one more ring.

What is engagement

All wedding events begin with a visit by the groom to the bride's house and a gala dinner. The groom, after dinner, voices the reason for his visit, even if everyone already knows for what purpose he visited the house. After a few phrases and a short story about himself, the groom kneels on one knee in front of the bride's parents and solemnly asks for her hand in marriage. If both parties agree, then the young couple can safely announce their engagement.

Engagement denotes an agreement between young people about the desire to tie their fate. And the consent of the parents marks the beginning of pre-wedding preparations. The custom of violently celebrating an engagement came from the West, just like the tradition of getting down on one knee and proposing to the bride, giving a ring.

The ancestors also had a celebration called matchmaking. After obtaining the consent of the girl, from that moment on she was considered betrothed. After this ceremony, the bride no longer worried about her future and calmly waited for the wedding.

Thanengagement is different from betrothal

Many are interested in the difference between engagement and betrothal, and how exactly these ceremonies take place. Betrothal in Orthodoxy plays a very important role, so some couples still consider it right to remove the rings from the left hand and change them to the right. Many people confuse the rites of engagement and betrothal. During the official engagement, the parents of the newlyweds, who have already met before, should discuss financial matters.

Today, the engagement can be held in a youth format, both at home and in a cafe or restaurant. During this ceremony, no official documents are signed. Usually, the engagement is organized on the day the documents are submitted to the registry office, but it can be held at any other time.

Betrothal is a religious rite that must be performed in a church in the presence of a priest. During the ceremony, a paper is signed regarding the new status of the couple, as certain obligations are imposed on them. This document has no official force.

What is church engagement

Betrothal is a church ceremony that takes place in the presence of a priest, relatives and friends of the couple. During the engagement, the couple exchanges rings in the presence of responsible witnesses, officially declaring their desire to become husband and wife.

This ceremony does not oblige you to anything, it acts only as a certain public demonstration of relations. Howevertrue believers attach great importance to church betrothal. Even if there was no solemn betrothal, it may be present at the wedding, but in a much more abbreviated form. Upon entering the church, the clergyman betroths the bride and groom.

Peculiarities of social engagement

Many are interested in how the betrothal goes, and what exactly this ceremony is characterized by. If people are not religious, then you can hold the betrothal the way you want, organize an additional holiday for yourself, during which the groom will give a ring.

If a guy gave a girl a ring and proposed, then from that moment the couple can consider themselves engaged. If there was no betrothal, then you can symbolically exchange rings even after the future newlyweds submit an application to the registry office.

The meaning of a wedding ring

The ring owed its appearance to the ancient Egyptian civilization of the period when art began to actively develop. Rings, immediately after their first appearance, became a certain symbol of a special position. They were worn by people who had power. Gradually, the decoration became a symbol of betrothal, and it was given by the groom to the bride during the marriage. Initially, the rings were made of metal, and then gradually the quality of the material changed. The Roman women wore jewelry on the ring finger of the left hand, as they believed that a vein runs from this finger directly to the heart.

Christians also borrowed this ancient symbolism from the Romans. In the fourth century, Christians beganuse this attribute as a symbol of marriage. The wedding ring is always worn on the ring finger of the right or left hand. And on the day of the official marriage, the jewelry is removed before meeting with the groom, in order to then put it on over the wedding.

What are the nuances of wedding ceremonies

After looking at the photo of the engagement, you can see exactly how this ceremony looks like. When conducting it is necessary to take into account certain nuances. Marriage is concluded in the registry office before the wedding, as many clergy refuse to conduct the sacrament if the newlyweds do not provide official paper.

In addition, the wedding can be held after a certain period of time after the registration of marriage. Some couples get married already on a silver or gold wedding. The Church welcomes when people approach this process responsibly, even if it is several years after entering into an official marriage.