The Wedding Ceremony

The (1) … and his best man (a brother, relative or close friend) should be in their places 10 minutes before the service starts. The bridesmaids and pages wait in the church porch. The (2) … in white, by tradition, arrives later. The bridegroom wears top hat, a tie, a gray (3) …, stripped trousers and black shoes. The organist starts playing. The bride goes in on her father’s right arm, and the (4) … follow her. During the ceremony, the chief bridesmaid stands behind the bride and holds her (5) … .

In a church the bride and the groom take the marriage (6) … : “I James take thee Carol to be my lawful wedded wife, to have and hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and there to I plight thee my troth.” The vicar blesses the wedding (7) … and places it on the third finger of the bride’s left hand. These (8) …, the groom often wears a ring too. Then the couple goes into the vestry to sign the register with their parents, (9) … and bridesmaids. The bride throws back her (10) … , the organist starts playing and the bride and groom walk down. As they leave the church together, their friends throw (11) … and rice. Guests wait and then go to the (12) … .

Task 10. Write the words referring to the following categories:

1) engagement; 2) participants of a wedding ceremony; 3) wedding ceremony procedure; 4) wedding clothes

Task 11. In each of the following groups of words, there is one that does not fit. Choose the “odd one out” and say why it doesn’t belong there.

1) tuxedo, bouquet, veil, gown, morning coat

2) bridegroom, bridesmaids, pages, best man, fiancée

3) honeymoon, matchmaking, engagement, proposal

4) verger, Marriage Certificate, registry office, civil ceremony

5) clergyman, priest, aisle, bachelor, congregation

6) newly-weds, bridal couple, husband, wife, dowry

Task 12. Give expressions for:

1) the twenty-fifth anniversary of one’s marriage; 2) a woman who has lost her husband; 3) a man who has lost his wife; 4) a child who has lost its parents; 5) the ceremony at which a child receives its Christian name; 6) a man who has never been married; 7) a woman who has never been married; 8) a man to whom a woman is engaged; 9) a woman during the wedding; 10) to take a child into one’s family; 11) a marriage ceremony; 12) the legal end of the marriage; 13) a place where people may be married; 14) the day of someone’s wedding 25 years later; 16) a man on his wedding day; 15) a party for a fiancé and his friends; 16) a party for a fiancée and her friends; 17) the second wife of one’s father.

Task 13. Choose the correct word.

Marriage today is a (1) choice / duty / necessity rather than obligation. Since “Mrs.” actually means “married to”, women are traditionally known by their husband’s (2) parent / house / name (Mrs. John Smith). Today “Mrs. Jane Smith” is generally accepted form. In fact many women are also keeping their (3) first / maiden / father’s names after marriage.

In many families the husband is often not the only (4) breadwinner / person / member, many women hold jobs outside home. A second (5) salary / output / income is often an economic necessity. The husband and the wife may share household (6) tasks / chores / targets and child-raising responsibilities.

Modern family situations can be extremely confusing after marriage (7) breakdowns / vow / guidance and re-marriages. Today’s children can have several stepparents, stepbrothers, and stepsisters. This lack of stability can (8) cause for / end by / result in emotional problems. The changes in family (9) background / ties / units reflect the evolution in social attitudes and the economic environment. However, social scientists (10) predict / claim / preview that the family unit will stabilize and remain an integral part of society.

Task 14. Write an essay about an ideal family or “The secret of a happy marriage” (at least 100 words).