订婚仪式：

It all begins with the engagement. Traditionally, a young man asks the father of his sweetheart for permission to marry her. If the father agrees, the man later proposes to her. Often he tries to surprise her by "popping the question" in a romantic way.

Sometimes the couple just decides together that the time is right to get married. The man usually gives his fiancée a diamond ring as a symbol of their engagement. They may be engaged for weeks, months or even years. As the big day approaches, bridal showers and bachelor’s parties provide many useful gifts. Today many couples also receive counseling during engagement. This prepares them for the challenges of married life.

婚礼进程：

At last it’s time for the wedding. Although most weddings follow long-held traditions, there’s still room for American individualism. For example, the usual place for a wedding is in a church. But some people get married outdoors in a scenic¹ spot. A few even have the ceremony while skydiving or riding on horseback! The couple may invite hundreds of people or just a few close friends. They choose their own style of colors, decorations and music during the ceremony. But some things rarely change. The bride usually wears a beautiful, long white wedding dress. She traditionally wears "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue." The groom² wears a formal suit or tuxedo³. Several close friends participate in the ceremony as attendants, including the best man and the maid of honor.

教堂仪式：

As the ceremony begins, the groom and his groomsmen stand with the minister, facing the audience. Music signals the entrance of the bridesmaids, followed by the beautiful bride. Nervously⁴, the young couple repeat their vows⁵. Traditionally, they promise to love each other "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health." But sometimes the couple has composed their own vows. They give each other a gold ring to symbolize⁶ their marriage commitment. Finally the minister announces the big moment: "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride!"

婚礼宴会：

At the wedding reception, the bride and groom greet their guests. Then they cut the wedding cake and feed each other a bite. Guests mingle⁷ while enjoying cake, punch and other treats. (Usually at a reception a dinner is served)Later the bride throws her bouquet⁸ of flowers to a group of single girls. Tradition says that the one who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry. During the reception, playful friends "decorate" the couple’s car with tissue paper, tin cans and a "Just Married" sign. When the reception is over, the newlyweds run to their "decorated" car and speed off. Many couples take a honeymoon⁹, a one- to two-week vacation trip, to celebrate their new marriage.

[Groom’s name],take you [bride’s name],to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love.

I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and honor you.

I will laugh with you and cry with you.

I will love you faithfully.

Through the best and the worst,

Through the difficult and the easy.

What may come I will always be there.

As I have given you my hand to hold.

So I give you my life to keep.

So help me God.

I,[bride’s name],take you [Groom’s name],to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love.

I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and honor you.

I will laugh with you and cry with you.

I will love you faithfully.

Through the best and the worst,

Through the difficult and the easy.

What may come I will always be there.

As I have given you my hand to hold.

So I give you my life to keep.

So help me God.

In unison¹⁰

Entreat¹¹ me not to leave you, or to return from following after you,

For where you go I will go,

and where you stay I will stay.

Your people will be my people,

and your God will be my God.

And where you die, I will die and there I will be buried.

May the Lord do with me and more if anything but death parts you from me.

i want to take this man/woman to my lawful¹² wedded¹³ husband/wife,

to love him/her and cherish him/her,

for better or worse, for poorer and richer.