Dating & Weddings in America

American Society & Culture

Dating• For some couples, they “fall in love at first

sight” and become boyfriend and girlfriend almost immediately.

• Many couples, however, remain friends for a long time before they become boyfriend or girlfriend.

• We say, a boy and a girl “are boyfriend and girlfriend” or “are dating” or “are going out” or “are together.” All of these let us know that they are boyfriend and girlfriend.

What do couples do on dates?• Every couple is different.

Some become boyfriend and girlfriend because they share a common interest like music or a sport, so they do this kind of thing often.

• Some common date ideas are: going bowling or skating, watching a movie, going to a restaurant to eat a snack or meal, attending a concert, or spending time outdoors.

Getting Engaged• Couples can be together anytime

from a few months to a few years

before they get engaged.

Sometimes the boyfriend will ask

the girl’s father for his blessing;

sometimes he doesn’t.

• He will buy an expensive ring for

the girl and will usually surprise

her with a memorable evening

when he proposes, or asks her to

marry him.

Truthaboutdiamonds.com

Engagement• Engagement can also last from a few months to a few years.

For couples who are serious about getting married, this period

is generally 6 months to 1 year.

•This is a fun and happy

time. They will usually have

a party and take photos

together to remember this

special time.

•This is also a busy time as

the couple makes plans for

their wedding, honeymoon,

and life after marriage.

Sheknows.com

Wedding Gifts• The couple usually choose one or two department stores that they like

and go there to register.

• At the store, the couple is given a small machine that looks something

like a gun. They use this machine to select which items from the store

they’d like people to buy for them. Later, their friends and family go to

the store and choose something(s) from the list to buy.

Weddingstar.com

The Wedding• Weddings are big events, and every couple wants their wedding to be

different. Some people have small weddings, some have big weddings.

Some get married indoors; others get married outdoors. Each couple

chooses their own music, food, style, clothing, and flowers.

• Couples and their families spend thousands of dollars on “the big day.”Doesthedressfit.com

The Wedding

• When we talk about

weddings, there are

generally two parts

that happen on the

same day and must

be planned for: the

wedding ceremony

and the wedding

reception.Bigsurweddings.com

Who Takes Part?• The bride and groom each choose one to five of their closest friends

to help with wedding preparations or just to support them on their

special day. The bride’s friends are called bridesmaids; the groom’s

friends are called groomsmen. The closest bridesmaid can be called

the “Maid of Honor,” and the closest groomsman is called “the Best

Man.”

Gobella.com

• Additionally, the mothers, fathers, and grandparents of the bride and groom have a

place of honor.

• The couple chooses a close friend or someone with a license to perform a wedding

ceremony to make it official.

• The couple also chooses someone to provide music, a photographer, and someone

to make the food for the reception.

• Finally, they invite any friends, extended family, and co-workers they are close to or

feel obligated to invite.

Englishwine.co.uk

The Ceremony• Here are some parts of the ceremony:

• Bridesmaids & bride enter

• Father of the bride “gives her away”

• Sometimes some singing or prayer

• Ceremony officiator speaks for 10-20

minutes (something about love, marriage,

etc.)

• Exchanging vows

• Exchanging rings

• “And I now pronounce you husband and

wife.”

• The Kiss

• Leave down the aisle Budgetweddings.info

Wedding Vows

• I, ____, take you, ____,

to be my lawful wedded

(husband/wife), to have

and to hold, from this

day forward, for better,

for worse, for richer, for

poorer, in sickness and

in health, until death do

us part.Perfectweddingzone.com

The Reception• The reception immediately follows the wedding ceremony. This is a

time to visit briefly with friends, family, and anyone else invited to

the wedding.

• It often includes appetizers or dinner, and sometimes includes

dancing.

• Dancing: first dance as husband and wife, bride dances with her

father, everyone dances

• Toasting: Maid of Honor and Best Man make short speeches and

make a toast to the bride and groom

• Cutting the Cake: The bride and groom cut the cake and feed the

first piece to each other before the guests are served cake.

• The reception often lasts between 2 and 8 hours depending on the

entertainment, time of day, and preferences of those involved.

Leaving the Wedding & Honeymoon

• At the end of the reception,

the bride and groom run

through the crowd as the

crowd cheers and throws

something at them (eg.

uncooked rice, rose petals,

etc.) They get into their car,

which has often been

decorated by their friends

just for fun.

Instructables.com

Leaving the Wedding & Honeymoon

• After months of planning, trying to achieve

the perfect day and satisfy the desires of

family members and friends, the bride and

groom celebrate their marriage by going on

a honeymoon. They usually leave for the

honeymoon within a day of their wedding.

• Often 1-2 weeks. When money is a

concern, some couples prefer a shorter,

more luxurious holiday, while others prefer

a longer, simpler one.

• Generally, the couple is expected to pay

for their own honeymoon.

Mywedding.com

Paying the Price…• The parents of the bride are usually responsible for paying for

the wedding ceremony and reception.

•On average, US couples

spend $25,631 for their

wedding. However, the

majority of couples spend

between $19,223 and

$32,039. This does not

include a honeymoon.

•$25,631 x 6.5= about

166601.5 RMB

Dexknows.com

Paying the Price…• Why so expensive? Weddings are expensive because businesses know

that many people consider this to be the most important day of their lives so far. Couples want this to be a day to remember, so they are willing to pay a high price for a beautiful day. Here are just a few of the things they need to pay for:

•Wedding dress: Cannot be rented; must be bought

•Other wedding clothes: shoes, jewelry, veil

•Hairstyles & makeup

•The groom’s clothes

•Musicians & band for ceremony & reception

•Flowers & decorations

•Invitations

•Gifts for everyone involved

•Wedding rings

•Wedding photography & videography

•Wedding planner/ coordinator

•Transportation

•Ceremony & reception locations

•Reception food

•Hotel rooms for traveling guests