The rehearsal dinner is one of the important ceremonies that occur before the actual marriage takes place. While the legal ceremony is the main event, the pre-parties play memorable parts in the marriage ritual adventure, as well. Other pre-wedding ceremonies include bridal showers, bachelor parties, and bachelorette parties.
During the rehearsal dinner, the bride, groom, and all members of the wedding party have a chance to rehearse their parts as well as have a good time. If family members and important guests have flown in from out of town, this shared meal can be the perfect time to get acquainted or reacquainted. In times past, these meals included only the immediate family of the bride and groom along with the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Today, there may be more invitees, especially in the case of a destination wedding. In fact, http://www.beijingtantric.com/ - Massage Beijing , http://solorama.com/share/view/post:64638 - http://solorama.com/share/view/post:64638 , all wedding attendees may be invited or there can be a dinner with only family and then a cocktail party afterwards for other guests.
Typically, the bride-to-be and groom-to-be go through the motions of walking down the aisle, saying their vows, with all wedding party participants practicing, as well. This is a great way to stave off the jitters since everyone will learn where they're supposed to go, when, and with whom, http://www.beijingtantric.com/massage.htm - massage tantric Beijing . Food that is served can be anything from appetizers and cocktails to a several course gourmet meal. The occasion can be formal, casual, or anything in between.
Bridal showers are not just for the females anymore. In the past, a shower was thrown for the bride-to-be by her female friends and family members. This was a rite of passage where the soon-to-be wife would be given housewares and tips for becoming a stellar homemaker and wife. Because both men and women play more equal parts inside and outside the home, the showers of today are often couples' showers. These parties are often held weeks and/or months before the rehearsal dinner get-togethers and actual weddings.
Bachelor and bachelorette parties are shindigs given for the groom-to-be by his guy friends and for the bride-to-be by her girlfriends. These are rites-of-passage parties to say goodbye to the single life and hello to married life. These are typically the wildest of the pre-wedding rituals and often entail cocktails and strippers. Sometimes these events are held at friends' homes and sometimes they're held at venues. Some especially ritzy bachelor and bachelorette extravaganzas are held in Las Vegas with participants flown in for the festivities.
While the marriage ceremony is the party where the knot is actually tied, the pre-parties are memorable parts of the wedding experience, too. If the partners are lucky, these rituals will be once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The marriage ceremony, rehearsal dinner, showers, and bachelor/bachelorette parties are all important parts of the adventure of getting married.
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