bride

A bride is the female participant in a wedding ceremony. The term bride comes from the Teutonic word for a cook. She is typically attended by one or more bridesmaids or maids of honor. Her male partner is the bridegroom or "groom."

Before a bride can be formally called "wife" or (if the bride is not marrying a man of higher rank than "Mr.") Mrs. (the surname of the bridegroom -- if she is changing her name), she must finish the formal wedding procedure. In some cultures, successful sexual intercourse between the bride and bridegroom is a required step to complete (or consummate) the wedding ceremony.

In Europe and North America, the typical attire for a bride is a formal dress and sometimes a tiara. For first marriages, a white dress is a tradition started by Queen Victoria's wedding. Etiquette prescribes that a white dress may not be worn for subsequent marriages (regarded by some as a symbol of virginity, also regarded as a symbol that the bride is happy), but this guideline is often ignored with brides wearing white dresses for any number of marriages. In addition to the gown, the bride normally also wears a veil and carries a bouquet of flowers. In some areas, a garter may be worn to be removed by the groom at a later time after the ceremony.

See also

• Maid of honor
• Bridesmaid
• Flowergirl
• Bridegroom
• Best man
• Groomsman
• Ringbearer

External links

• Brides of India on Stamps