英語閱讀理解關於純潔和婚禮
2018年孝者英語四級閱讀理解試題及答案2
幽默爛慎數與魅力飢首
Leaders Who Use Humour and Charm to Reach the Top
Humour and charm are a surprisingly powerful combination as a means of ascent in life.
I have met a number of entrepreneurs who have built fortunes on the back of their wit and general popularity -and not much else. They disarm us with self-deprecation, we enjoy their company-so why wouldn't we want to do business with them? Of course, it all has to be done well; sycophancy and flat jokes do not weave the same spell.
The British feel that some light relief amid the drudgery is essential for existence to be tolerable. It seems to be a cornerstone of our psychology and culture. In London, to say someone has no sense of humour is to condemn them utterly. Many important meetings I attend start with a little friendly banter to break the ice, a ritual to remind us that we are all human-rather than simply robots of commerce.
I am sure foreigners must think our levity is baffling. My defence is that Brits subscribe to Horace's view: "A jest often decides matters of importance more effectively and happily than seriousness."
Some years ago, a partner of mine practised what I called "management by laughter". He motivated and inspired by making the atmosphere at work fun, rather than the bullying and intimidation common in many workplaces.
But the 21st-century office can be a minefield for the amateur who enjoys a giggle. I was recently warned about a trap being sprung by a professional gang from eastern Europe. They plant an attractive female staff member in an organisation. At roughly the same time, a male co-conspirator also gets a job; the connection between them is unknown to the employer. After a little while, he sends a series of highly suggestive internet jokes to the pretty female. She complains of harassment and threatens to bring an embarrassing employment tribunal involving sexual discrimination-and, once she reveals that she has hired expert legal advisers and PR agents, the victim business settles quickly.
In these litigious, politically correct times, the perils of making cheap gags can be considerable. Recently, I attended a dinner at a trade conference. The speaker was a well-known executive who told a number of jokes in poor taste, some at the expense of influential figures in the room. Just as a vulgar best man's speech at a wedding can strike the wrong note, so I sensed as we chatted after the speech that the jibes would not be swiftly forgotten.
Some one once said: "Brains, integrity and force may be all very well, but what you need today is charm." This is the age of celebrity, even in the boardroom, and none of us is impervious to the presence of those legendary characters when they switch on the full blast of their glittering personality. Perhaps it is their reputation, perhaps their smile, perhaps their brilliance with words-or possibly their rapt attention.
I am often struck how often young children utter the phrase "Look at me!" They want appreciation, and fundamentally not much changes, even when we are 50. Genuine approval from the boss can taste better than anything-even a pay rise.
Are charm and a sense of humour acquired traits? They certainly improve with effort and practice. Ronald Reagan used his years in showbiz to hone his performance skills before succeeding in politics.
I have sat with stand-up comics before they go on stage. The most brilliant appear almost nonchalant, rather than rehearsed or anxious, and their acts are mostly learnt word-perfect yet appear spontaneous.
So it is with outstanding business leaders who persuade their teams to laugh and try harder: they apply themselves assiously to the task. Most world-class chief executives possess charisma-really a captivating blend of charm and wit. And, believe me, they graft at it far more than they admit.
領導靠幽默與魅力發跡
作為人生發跡的手段之一，幽默和魅力是一對效力驚人的組合。
我遇見過許多憑借風趣機智和好人緣白手起家的企業家。他們謙和自斂，讓我們生不起氣來。我們與他們相處愉快一一所以我們為什麼不與他們做生意呢?當然，這裡面必須講求技巧。一味溜頸拍馬，開一些乾巴巴的玩笑，不會產生同樣的魔力。
英國人認為，人生在世，就得苦中作樂。這似乎是我們心理學和文化的一條基本原則。在倫敦，說一個人缺乏幽默感，等於是說他一無是處。我出席的許多重要會議，都以一些善意的玩笑開場，以此打破沉默。這種慣例提醒我們，我們都是凡人，而不完全是商業機器。
外國人肯定認為我們的輕浮舉止不可理喻。要讓我說，我們英國人是贊同賀拉斯的觀點：「遇到大事，比起一本正經的態度，開開玩笑固能夠更有效、也更開心地解決問題。」
幾年前，我的一位合夥人實行我所說的「歡笑管理」。他鼓舞和激勵士氣的方法，是營造充滿樂趣的工作氛圍，不同於許多工作場所常見的威逼和脅迫的氛圍。
然而，對於喜歡逗笑取樂的人來說，21世紀的職場可能會是個雷區。我最近聽到警告，說一個來自東歐的專業犯罪團伙會設下這樣的圈套：在一家機構安插一名漂亮迷人的女員工，再讓一名男同夥也混進去。兩人前後腳進入這家公司，他們的關系不為人所知。不久後，他就向那位美女發送了一堆黃色網路笑話。於是她投訴遭到騷擾，並威脅要以性別歧視為由，告到讓人頭大的就業法庭。而一旦她透露出已聘請了專業法律顧問和公關代理，受害企業就會趕緊花錢了事。
在這種動輒法庭上見、政治上正確的時代，講低級笑話可能會相當危險。我最近出席了一個貿易會議舉辦的晚宴，席間一位頗有名氣的高管發表了演講。他講了許多低級趣味的笑話，有些還是取笑在座的顯要人物。演講後我們在閑聊時，我感覺到，他的那些話不會被很快忘記，這與婚禮上伴郎講話粗俗不合時宜一樣。
曾有人說：「擁有才智、誠實和力量固然不錯，但當今你需要的是魅力。」 這是一個名人的時代，即使在董事會也是如此。那些鼎鼎大名的人物一旦全力展現他們迷人的個性或者是名聲、或者是微笑、或者是口才，又或者是專注的神情，投入能夠抵禦。
小孩子常常會說「看我的!」，對此我常常感到驚訝。他們想要得到贊賞。這一點在長大後基本上也不會改變，即使到了50歲。老闆真心的稱贊比什麼——甚至加薪，都更讓人覺得受用。
魅力和幽默感能夠後天培養嗎?努力練習肯定會有作用。羅納德·里根早年在演藝界干過，練得一身表演才能，後來才進入政界，成就了一番事業。
我曾經在一些笑星登台前與他們坐在一起。最出色的笑星出場前幾乎都顯得若無其事，既沒有背台詞，也沒有焦慮不安。他們表演的內容基本上都是事先背下來的，但卻顯得像是即興發揮。
傑出的企業領導能夠讓他的團隊既開心又賣力工作：他們自己會勤於工作。世界級的首席執行官大多魅力非凡——這實際上是吸引力和風趣機智的迷人組合。另外，請相信我，他們花費在這上面的心力，遠遠超過他們所承認的。
句型講解：
1. She complains of harassment and threatens to bring an embarrassing employment tribunal involving sexual discrimination-and, once she reveals that she has hired expert legal advisers and PR agents, the victim business settles quickly.
本句是一個復合句，主句是由and連接的兩個並列的句子。第一個句子中， and連接兩個並列的謂語， involving sexual discrimination現在分詞短語作後置定語，修飾employment tribunal.第二個句子中，once引導時間狀語從句，其中that引導賓語從句，作reveal的賓語。
語法重點：並列結構，分詞短語作定語，時間狀語從句，賓語從句
2. Just as a vulgar best man's speech at a wedding can strike the wrong note, so I sensed as we chatted after the speech that the jibes would not be swiftly forgotten.
本句是一個復合句。第一個as引導方式狀語從句，意為"正如"。第二個as引導時間狀語從句。that引導賓語從句，作sense的賓語。
語法重點：方式狀語從句，時間狀語從句，賓語從句
3. This is the age of celebrity, even in the boardroom. and none of us is impervious to the presence of those legendary characters when they switch on the full blast of their glittering personality.
本句是一個復合句。主句是由and連接的兩個並列的句子This is...and... legendary characters. When引導時間狀語從句。
語法重點：時間狀語從句
四六級英語推薦>>>
『貳』 閱讀理解-英語
1.D( We did everything together: piano lessons, movies, swimming, horseback riding.
When I was 13, my family moved away. ) 2.B(Soon we were busy with children and moving to new homes, and we wrote less often. ) 3.A( when my brother and then mother died. There was an empty place in my heart that only a friend like Linda could fill. ) 4.B(Minutes later I heard a voice that I knew very much, even after 40 years, laughed and cried and caught up on each other』s lives. Now the empty place in my heart is filled. ) 5.D(When I was 13, my family moved away. Linda and I kept in touch through letters, 申明一下，我自己寫的也不一定對，錯了別怪我哦！！！！
『叄』 初中英語閱讀【高效率、高手進、高分獎勵、】
1 walked w et angry dry when
2 1C 2 D 3 A 4 B 5 D
3 attend on brust enter cry
准確率 看我的回答記錄就內知道容了
『肆』 【十萬火急】英語 閱讀理解
嗯 答案是C A C B C 第三題應該是 spill salt 吧？
『伍』 關於婚禮的英語對話閱讀
婚禮上，新畝慎娘和新郎表示要互敬互愛，白頭偕老。我精心收集了關於婚禮的英語對話，供大家欣賞學習!
關於婚禮的英語對話1
Wendi: Talk about the best wedding you've ever been to and if you can kind of think about what it was and and what the atmosphere was like when you walked in.
James: OK, the actual wedding ceremony?
Wendi: Yeah, sure.
James: OK.
Wendi: Tell me about it.
James: Now?
Wendi: Yeah.
James: My sister's wedding. It was in a *** all village church near her house. I was giving heraway, so it was wonderful. We walked into the church, and I led her down the aisle and they were listening to, they didn't have traditional music. They had Beattles music playing.
Wendi: Really.
James: And it was really beautiful and yeah, it was an amazing wedding.
搏耐掘Wendi: Yeah.
James: She looked absolutely stunning and my family were there, just close friends of my sister and then after the wedding they had the reception at my sister'基核s back garden.
Wendi: Right.
James: And it was just wonderful.
Wendi: That sounds really beautiful.
James: No fuss, just really easy. Just a big family gathering and it was really, really a lovely day. It rained all day as well.
Wendi: Did it really?
James: And it made no difference whatsoever.
Wendi: Wow, that sounds pretty special.
James: Yeah, the next-door neighbors did all the food and they were caterers so the food was magnificent.
Wendi: Wow.
James: It was special because of the atmosphere rather than anything else. It didn't cost much money, but it was just perfect.
Wendi: That sounds beautiful. So what was it like to give away your sister, like do you feel that as being a big responsibility.
James: Yeah, I was really chuffed when she asked me. It really, really meant a lot so, cause she had a difficult decision to choose who to give her away, so yeah it was a really big, yeah, it was a real big honor to do. And, it's an easy thing to do. You walk down the aisle and you sit down and that's it.
Wendi: What's your best kind of memory from that whole wedding — that whole experience?
James: Ah, seeing my sister in her wedding dress, that morning. She just looked so beautiful.
Wendi: Yeah.
James: And also seeing how nervous my brother-in-law was before the wedding in the pub. He was so nervous and it was really sweet and also because it's a village and she's a hairdresser, all the old ladies had e and stood outside the church to have a look at her.
Wendi: Oh, that's so awesome.
James: And to wish her luck on the way in.
Wendi: That's really cool.
James: Cause it was only for family, really and they'd all e to see her in bride's gown.
Wendi: Oh that sounds really special.
關於婚禮的英語對話2
Wendi: So, yeah, I wanna talk about wedding experiences and one of the best wedding.
Rachel: The best wedding I've ever gone to was probably my friend, well, OK, wait, hold on, pause it for a second.
Wendi: No worries because.
Rachel: What is our scale of best? Like most fun? Most emotional?
Wendi: That's a good question. I guess what ever was the most kind of rewarding wedding you've ever attended. And I guess you have to chose that based on your scale.
Rachel: What are the questions going to be so I can think of how to break it down.
Wendi: Anything. It's totally random usually.
Rachel: Oh, OK.
Wendi: It's totally random. And actually, it's even good for the listener's for the people that are going to be listening to hear you thinking in your mind, like, "Ah," I don't really know. Just total natural conversation.
Rachel: No cause like there are three weddings where I can think of: The Wiccan wedding. My friend Amanda's wedding which was just massive. There as like 13 bride *** aids and thirteen and the other one that was on a ship.
Wendi: Wow. Was it like on a cruise boat kind of thing, or?
Rachel: Not a cruise boat. It was a *** aller kind of like sail boat, sailing around the Netherlands.
Wendi: That sounds crazy. Was it like a super quaint wedding kind of thing?
Rachel: No, it was kind of like a metal wedding.
Wendi: A metal wedding?
Rachel: Yeah.
Wendi: What do you mean?
Rachel: Well, it was a whole bunch of metal heads on a boat...
Wendi: Seriously?
Rachel: Eating vegetarian food.
Wendi: That sounds crazy.
Rachel: Yeah it was pretty brilliant.
Wendi: Wow. So out of all of the weddings you've been ever experienced in your whole life does anyone kind of ring out to you at all as that's the wedding I want to have.
Rachel: No.
Wendi: No.
Rachel: First off, I think I would elope.
Wendi: OK.
Rachel: And then just throw kind of like big parties all over the world because I have a feeling that my wedding would pretty much be international.
Wendi: Right.
Rachel: I think that, well the ceremony, I don't even know what kind of a traditional per se ceremony that I would want.
Wendi: Yeah.
Rachel: Yeah, I think I'd rather it just be a private more intimate thing between me and whoever I'd be marrying.
Wendi: Right.
Rachel: And then just have a party for everybody to celebrate it with afterwards.
Wendi: Yeah, cool.
關於婚禮的英語對話3
AWhat was your wedding ceremony like, Abigail?
蓋布莉加爾，你們的結婚典禮怎麼樣?
BMy hu *** and and I got married in a registry office with just two friends there as witnesses. But then we had three parties to celebrate.
我和我丈夫請了2個朋友做見證人，去婚姻注冊處注了冊。可是，接著我們要辦3場酒席。
AThree parties? That's quite a lot. That must have been expensive!
三場?太多了，一定要花很多錢!
BWell, since my hu *** and and I are from two different countries, and we live in a third country, we decided to have one in each country. It wasn't actually that expensive.
嗯，因為我和我丈夫來自不同國家，而且我們又在第三個國家生活。所以，我們打算在每個國家請一次客。實際上花費也不會太多。
AWere your parents upset that they weren't there to see you get married?
你們的父母沒能出席你們的婚禮，他們不會覺得有點失望嗎?
BI would have liked them to be there, but they couldn』t afford to fly out to see us, and we couldn't afford to fly out to see them, so they understood.
我其實很希望他們能來，但是他們負擔不了飛過來看我們的機票費用，我們去看他們也同樣飛不起，所以我們就互相理解吧。
ADid your hu *** and's family get to meet your family?
你公公婆婆和你父母見過面嗎?
BMy hu *** and's parents flew out to meet my family when we got married in my hometown, so that was great. Some people spend ridiculous amounts of money on extravagant wedding receptions, but we agreed that the wedding party should be less about money and more about family.
我們在我家鄉結婚的時候，我公公婆婆飛過來和我父母見了一面，非常愉快。有些人為了辦個豪華婚禮不惜一擲千金，可是我們還是覺得婚禮應該多一點家庭的溫馨，少一點金錢的裝點。
AThat makes sense. Did you go on a honeymoon?
有道理。你們去度蜜月了嗎?
BWe waited until our one-year anniversary to go on our honeymoon to Africa.
我們想結婚一周年的時候去非洲度蜜月。
AYou really didn't have a very traditional wedding, did you?
你們的婚禮真的跟傳統式不沾邊，對吧?
BNot at all, but we don』t have a very traditional marriage either, so it suited us perfectly!
沒錯，而且我們也不是普通的婚姻，所以，這種婚禮和我們正好相配。
『陸』 1道英語閱讀題In Britain ,wedding(婚禮)invitations go out about six w
C.an immediate reply
C.to the woman』s house
B.in church
C.A woman with a ring on the third finger of her right hand must have been married.
『柒』 一篇英語閱讀的問題疑惑
這是一個笑話。全文大意是，這個年輕人很窮，想給新娘買個花瓶卻買不起。經理出於好心幫忙，當時有一個已經碎了的花瓶，經理事先和一個雇員打好招呼，告訴他婚禮的時候把這些花瓶碎片送上的時候需要故意「失手掉在地上摔碎」，這樣的話，大家的感覺就成了：年輕人買得起禮物，但是雇員把它摔碎了。於是這就可以維護了新郎的體面嘛。
然而大概是經理在吩咐雇員的時候並沒有說過多的細節，只是告訴他「將花瓶包裝好，到時候你掉地上打碎一下就是了」，雇員於是曲解了經理的意思，大概以為是什麼惡作劇，於是自作聰明的把每一個碎片都打好包裝。
於是在婚禮那天……他打碎了花瓶……然而當外包裝打開的時候大家看見的卻是……包裝好的碎片……
問題：
1，On the birthday of his financee,the young man was excited because_____
A, the mannager was helpful
B, he was not sure whether his trick would be seen through
因為知情者只有經理和新郎，所以新郎心裡很忐忑，因為他並不知結果如何。有點期待，又有點緊張，因為這一點而激動。其實按道理來說結婚本身就是激動的事情。如果從僅這兩項來選的話，選B. A是錯的，因為the manager 事實證明，並沒有helpful.
2, The servant packed each piece separately becuase_______
A, he misunderstood the manager
B, he hope the young man's trick would be seen through
C, he was a careful man
上面已經解釋出了。選A
『捌』 英語閱讀題
1c 2c 3d 4b 5c
你好 回答如下
There is a scene that is repeated up and down the land ring the month of June.
譯：六月的這片土地上到處都會重復出現一個相同的場景.
附：up and down 來回地; 到處來回地; 到處
例句：The teacher was walking up and down in the classroom.
老師在教室里走來走去.
Outside a church in some Scottish town or village a *** all crowd has interrupted its daily affairs to gather on the pavement.
譯：在一些蘇格蘭小鎮或村莊的教堂外,會有一小股人聚集在人行道上,打斷了教堂的日常
事務.
附：interrupt v. 中斷, 插嘴, 妨礙; 打斷
affairs n. 事, 事件, 事情; 事態; 業務, 事務
pavement n. 人行道, 公路
Near the west door a dozen or so overdressed people are glancing impatiently at their watches.
譯：在西門附近,十幾個打扮講究的小伙們時不時會急切地向他們佩戴的手錶瞥上一眼.
附：a dozen or so 有十幾個（小於等於12個）
overdressed adj. 打扮過分的; 穿著過於正經的
impatiently adv. 不耐煩地; 焦急地; 性急地; 焦躁地
glance v. 看一下, 一瞥
例句：He glanced round the conference room.
他掃視了一下會議室.
He glanced at the envelope and recognized his uncle's handwriting.
他瞥了一眼那個信封,認出是他叔父的筆跡.
The men seem a little self-conscious in their hired kilts; the women hold their wind-blown dresses and loudly admire each other』s hats.
譯：穿著租來的蘇克蘭短裙的男人們顯得不太自然；手拉住被風吹起的裙子的女人們大聲地
贊美彼此的帽子、
附：self-conscious adj. 自覺的, 忸怩的, 不自然的
admire vt.欽佩, 贊美, 羨慕
例句:
They admire her alabaster plexion.
他們羨慕她那白潤光滑的肌膚.
We admire him for his righteousness.
我們欽佩他的正直.
They are all lively and talkative, yet at the same time strangely reserved.
他們都很活躍並健談,但這時他們卻出奇的沉默.
附： talkative adj. 喜歡說話的, 健談的, 多嘴的
reserved adj. 有「沉默寡言的」之意
例句：She is not usually so reserved.
她通常不如此緘默.
The crowd ignores them, barely noticing when they disappear into the church. Even the arrival of the groom rouses little excitement. These participants are not the main attraction. We are waiting for the bride.
譯：人群忽略了他們,在他們消失在教堂時也幾乎沒有注意到.即使是新郎的到來也只引起
了很少的興奮.這些參加者並不是最吸引人的.我們都在等待新娘.
附：barely adv. 僅僅, 勉強; 貧乏地; 幾乎沒有; 光禿禿地
groom n.新郎 bride n. 新娘 participant n. 關系者; 參與者
rouse v.喚醒, 激起
n.覺醒,奮起
例句:
It was a marvelous night with a tempest to rouse the gods.
真是個美妙的夜晚,暴風雨驚天動地.
I was roused by the sound of the bell this morning.
今天早晨,我被 *** 喚醒.
The news roused great indignation.
這條消息引起了極大的憤慨.
Whatever her age or appearance, everyone will *** ile and express approval. By convention, all brides are beautiful.Nobody says so, but the spectators feel cheated unless she steps out of a car, dressed in white from head to toe.
譯：不管她（新娘）的年齡與長相如何,每個人都會微笑並表示贊同.按照慣例,「所有的
新娘都是美麗的」.（盡管）沒有人會這樣說,圍觀者們在穿著從頭到腳的白紗的新娘走出
轎車前通常都會覺得被這個慣例所欺騙,而在新娘走出車後,沒有人會感到被欺騙.（即所
有的懷疑都煙消雲散,人人都為新娘的美麗驚嘆.）
附：approval n.同意, 批准, 認可, 贊同
spectator n. 觀眾, 旁觀者, 目擊者
The nearer she matches their image, the greater their satisfaction.This event is
not merely a wedding; it is a tradition, and such occasions are potentially
dangerous. Participants must pay strict attention to detail. An untraditional
bride destroys the magic.
譯：她（新娘）的形象越接近圍觀者心目中（傳統上新娘應該有的）形象,他們就越滿意.
這個活動不僅僅是一場婚禮；它還是一個傳統,而且這樣的場合還可能是危險的.參與者（
如圍觀者等）一定會嚴格地關注細節.（他們認為）一個非傳統的新娘會毀掉那個（讓所有
人都覺得新娘是美麗的）魔法.
附： merely adv.僅僅, 只不過
例句:
Pretending to faint was merely (an) artifice.
假裝昏迷只不過是個詭計.
detail n. 細節; 詳情
When the crowd has left, some bystanders will remain to watch the bride walk out
of church on the arm of her groom. The guests troop out behind the happy couple
and all gather on the pavement with an obvious air of relief.
譯：當大片人群散去後,某些看熱鬧的人還會留下來觀看,直到看到新娘從教堂走出並擁到
新郎的懷抱之中.賓客們在快樂的新人身後匆匆離開,在人行道上聚集,並都長舒了一口氣
.（因為婚禮總算按著傳統要求辦完了,沒出什麼差錯.）
附：relief n.減輕, 解除,輕松, 浮雕, 救濟(品), 安慰, 替代
例句:
It is a great relief to have rain after a long time of drought.
長期的乾旱之後有雨是一大慰藉.
What a relief!
真叫人寬慰!
We all heaved a sigh of relief when we heard that they were safe.
當我們聽說他們平安無事時,都鬆了一口氣.
troop out
匆匆出去
例句:
They are pulling their troops out of the battle zone.
他們正把部隊調離戰區.
A piper strikes up Mairi』s Wedding and the guests start shouting and jumping
everywhere,putting the photographer off his work. Before bride and groom lead
their party to the reception, someone is sure to disobey the priest and scatter
forbidden confetti (五彩碎紙).
譯：風笛手吹起了《Mairi的婚禮》,賓客們開始大聲叫嚷,到處跳舞,甚至把照相師拉離工
作崗位以加入狂歡的隊伍.在新郎新娘將狂歡派對變成歡迎會之前,某些人一定會違背牧師
的規定,去散播那些被禁止的五彩碎紙.
附：piper n. 吹笛者, 風笛手
disobey vi. 違反
vt. 不服從
例句:
Her pupil often get the rough edge of her tongue when they disobey her.
學生不聽她的話時,常遭到她粗暴的申斥.
Those who disobey must be punished by law.
違法分子必須受到法律懲罰.
scatter vt.散播, 撒, 驅散
vi.分散, 消散
n.散布, 零星少量
例句:
When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.
樹倒猢猻散.
The birds scattered at the sound of the gun.
鳥群一聽到槍聲就四處飛散了.
The farmers were scattering seed on the fields.
農夫把種子撒在田裡.
The particulars of this scene are modern; yet three elements are present that
have existed since marriage in Scotland began—ancient Roman law redefined in a
Christian context, Celtic tradition, and pre-Christian tradition.
譯：這個場景中的個別部分是有現代氣息的；但其中所呈現的元素有三個都是自蘇格蘭有婚
禮以來就存在的,分別為：在基督教背景下重新定義的古羅馬法律,凱爾特人傳統以及前基
督教傳統.
附：particular n. 個別項目, 詳細說明
redefine v. 重新定義
『拾』 求關於英國婚禮習俗的英文短文
http://www.learnenglish.de/culture/marriage.htm
圖文並茂！
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British Marriage and Weddings
Before the Wedding
Marriage is usually initiated by a proposal of marriage, simply called "a proposal". In a heterosexual relationship, the man traditionally proposes to the woman and the actual proposal often has a ritual quality, involving the presentation of a ring (an engagement ring) and the formalized asking of a question such as "Will you marry me?" The man may even go down on one knee before proposing. If the proposal is accepted, the couple become engaged.
In the United Kingdom, the engagement ring is worn, by the woman, on the fourth finger of the left hand.
In the UK the 29th of February (in a leap year) is said to be the one day (coming round only once every four years) when a woman can propose to her partner.
It is usual for a couple to be engaged for a while before they get married. An engagement is actually an agreement or promise to marry, and also refers to the time between proposal and marriage. During this period, a couple is said to be affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged.
A man who is engaged to be married is called his partner's fiancé; a woman similarly engaged is called her partner's fiancée.
Once a wedding date has been set the banns of marriage, commonly known simply as "the banns", (from an Old English word meaning "to summon") are announced. This is a notice, usually placed in the local parish church or registery office, that a marriage is going to take place between two specified persons.
The purpose of banns is to enable anyone to raise any legal impediment to it, so as to prevent marriages that are legally invalid. Impediments vary between legal jurisdictions, but would normally include a pre-existing marriage (having been neither dissolved nor annulled), a vow of celibacy, lack of consent, or the couple's being related within the prohibited degrees of kinship.
In England, a marriage is only legally valid if the reading of the banns has taken place or a marriage licence has been obtained.
The People
In addition to the bride and groom, traditional weddings involve a lot more people. Typically, these positions are filled by close friends of the bride and groom; being asked to serve in these capacities is seen as a great honour.
For the couple:-
Ringbearer - an attendant, often a young boy, who carries the wedding rings.
Ushers - helpers, usually men, who assist with the organization.
For the groom:-
Best man - a close male friend or relative of the groom, given a place of honour.
Groomsmen - one or more male attendants who support the groom.
For the bride:-
Maid of honour - a close female friend or relative of the bride, given a place of honour. If she is married, she is instead called the "matron of honour."
Bridesmaids - one or more female attendants who support the bride.
Father of the Bride - One who symbolically "gives away" the bride. If her father is deceased or otherwise unavailable, another male relative, often an uncle or brother, will give the bride away.
Flower girl - a young girl who scatters flowers in front of the bridal party.
Junior Bridesmaids - young girl typically between the ages of 8 and 16 who is too old to be a flowergirl, but the bride wants to be a part of the wedding.
Wedding guests are generally sent invitations to which they are expected to reply (rsvp). The guests are generally invited to both the wedding and the wedding reception afterwards, although sometimes reception places are limited. Often certain people are invited e to perceived family obligations, as to not receive an invitation can be considered an insult.
The Wedding Ceremony
When the guests arrive for a wedding the ushers' ty is to hand out the correct books, flowers and the order of service, they also ensure the guests are seated in the correct places. Traditionally, the side on which people sit depends on whether they are friends or family of the bride or of the groom. The front rows are generally reserved for close family or friends, with the very first seats reserved for the bridal party. However, in many ceremonies the bridal party will remain standing at the altar ring the ceremony along with the bride and groom.
The groom and his best man wait inside the church for the arrival of the bride and her "entourage".
This entourage generally arrives in elegant cars or in horse-drawn coaches, specially hired for the occasion. The bride's entourage normally consists of the bride, the bride's father and all the various bridesmaids, maids of honour, flower girls and page boys that are intended to attend her.
The ushers and/or groomsmen escort the grandparents of the bride and groom to their seats.
The ushers and/or groomsmen escort the mother of the groom and mother of the bride to their seats.
The bridesmaids enter, escorted by the groomsmen.
The maid or matron of honour enters, either by herself or escorted by the best man.
The ringbearer enters.
The flower girl enters. (In some ceremonies, the ringbearer will accompany the flower girl.)
The bride then proceeds down the aisle, escorted by her father, to the accompaniment of music (usually the wedding march, often called "Here comes the bride"), and the ceremony starts.
During the ceremony the bride and groom make their marriage vows. Marriage vows are promises a couple makes to each other ring a wedding ceremony. In Western culture, these promises have traditionally included the notions of affection ("love, comfort, keep"), faithfulness ("forsaking all others"), unconditionality ("for richer or for poorer", "in sickness and in health"), and permanence ("as long as we both shall live", "until death do us part"). Most wedding vows are taken from traditional religious ceremonies. Touching love poems or lyrics from a love song can be revised as wedding vows. Nowadays some couples choose to write their own vows, rather than relying on standard ones spoken by the celebrant (priest).
After the wedding ceremony, the bride, groom, officiant, and two witnesses generally go off to a side room to sign the wedding register. Without this the marriage is not legal and a wedding certificate cannot be issued.
Afterward, guests file out to throw flower petals, confetti, birdseed, or rice (uncooked) over the newly-married couple for good luck.
Finally, a photographic session ensues of the couple leaving the church.
Nice Day for a White Wedding
The Western custom of a bride wearing a white wedding dress, came to symbolize purity in the Victorian era (despite popular misconception and the hackneyed jokes of situation comedies the white dress did not actually indicate virginity, which was actually symbolized by a face veil).
Within the "white wedding" tradition, a white dress and veil would not have been considered appropriate in the second or third wedding of a widow or divorcee.
Before the white wedding dress became "traditional" an old poem (which seems to favour blue) sang the praises or woes of various colour choices.
「Married in white, you will have chosen all right.
Married in grey, you will go far away.
Married in black, you will wish yourself back.
Married in red, you』ll wish yourself dead.
Married in blue, you will always be true.
Married in pearl, you』ll live in a whirl.
Married in green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow.
Married in brown, you』ll live out of town.
Married in pink, your spirits will sink."
The average price of a traditional white wedding dress is around £826.
The reception
After the ceremony there is usally a reception at which the married couple, the couple's parents, the best man and the wedding entourage greet each of the guests. At such events it is traditional to eat and drink.
During the reception a number of speeches and/or toasts are given in honour of the couple.
Any dancing is commonly started by the bride and groom, usually termed the "Bridal Waltz", but dancing an actual waltz is comparatively rare - often the couple chooses their favourite piece of music or a song.
An arranged dance between the bride and her father is also traditional. Sometimes the groom will cut in halfway through the dance, symbolizing the bride leaving her father and joining her new husband.
At some point the married couple may become the object of a charivari, a good-natured hazing of the newly-married couple. While this is most familiar in the form of tying tin cans to the bumper of the couple's car, or spraying shaving cream on the windows, some of the pranks can be far more malicious. The worst one I've ever heard of is when the bride and groom returned from honeymoon to find their front door had been bricked over.
The final tradition is the newly married couple to set off for their honeymoon.
Have your cake and eat it
A wedding is often followed by a wedding reception, at which an elaborate, tiered, wedding cake is served. Traditionally this is a fruit cake. Often there are a couple of little figures on top of the cake, normally they are a representation of the bride and groom in formal wedding attire.
It is considered lucky for the couple to cut the cake together. A portion is usually stored, and eaten by the couple at their first wedding anniversary, or at the christening of their first child. The cake can be frozen and if the top tier of the cake is fruitcake, it can be stored for a great length of time.
British Wedding Traditions
Traditions include:-
The happy couple toast each other.
The newlyweds have the fiirst dance.
The couple cut the cake together, this symbolizes their first meal as husband and wife (see above).
The bride may throw her bouquet to the assembled group of all unmarried women in attendance, with folklore suggesting the person who catches it will be the next to wed.
(A fairly recent equivalent has the groom throwing the bride's garter to the assembled unmarried men; the man who catches it is supposedly the next to wed.)
It is usual for the couple to go away on holiday together. This is called the honeymoon.
On arriving back home it is traditional for the husband to carry his wife into their new home. This is called carrying the bride over the threshold.
In 2004 the average wedding in the UK cost £16,000 - and prices have risen since then, it now stands at a staggering £18,500. Of course there is no need to get caught up in Competitive Wedding Syndrome, none of it is actually necessary. You can simply get married and live happily ever after.