The public acknowledgment and celebration of a couple's marriage. The wedding followed betrothal and was a preliminary to sexual union. The occasion was marked by feasting, singing and rejoicing. The bride wore a wedding dress, jewellery and ornaments and both she and the groom were waited on by attendants.

Psalms 45:13

Wedding garments

See also

The bride's wedding dress

Genesis 24:65
Ezekiel 16:10
Revelation 19:7-8; 21:2
Isaiah 49:18

See also

The bride's jewellery and ornaments

Isaiah 61:10
Jeremiah 2:32
Ezekiel 16:11-12
Jeremiah 33:11

Wedding festivities

Weddings were occasions for rejoicing

Genesis 29:27-28
Judges 14:12

Wedding festivities might last for a week or two:

Songs 3:11
Isaiah 62:5
Jeremiah 7:34
Psalms 45:1 Title; 78:63

Wedding songs

Judges 14:10

See also

The wedding banquet

Genesis 29:21-22
Matthew 22:2

A feast celebrates Jacob's wedding

John 2:3-10

a wedding banquet given by a king for his son

Revelation 19:9

Jesus Christ changes water into wine at a wedding feast

the marriage supper of the Lamb

John 2:1-2

Guests and attendants at weddings

See also

Wedding guests

Matthew 22:3-10,11-12
Luke 14:8-10

Wedding guests were expected to wear appropriate clothes

John 3:29

See also

Attendants on the groom

Judges 14:11,20
Matthew 9:15

pp Mk 2:19

Psalms 45:14

pp Lk 5:34

See also

Bridesmaids

Matthew 25:1-10
1 Kings 9:16

Wedding gifts

See also

Genesis 24:59; 29:24,29
Judges 1:14-15

Elements in the wedding ceremony

Ruth 3:9

Covering the bride

Ezekiel 16:8

Sometimes the groom would cover the bride with his cloak as a symbol of protection:

Proverbs 2:17
Malachi 2:14

A covenanted commitment

Genesis 24:60
Ruth 4:11

Blessing the couple

Joel 2:16

See also

Consummating the marriage

Genesis 29:23
Psalms 19:5

See also

4342 jewels
4412 binding corn
5145 clothing
5356 irony
5655 birth
5659 bride
5661 brothers
5680 family
5700 headship
5708 marriage
5916 pessimism
8292 love