美国人婚礼.docVIP

Weddings in The United States Weddings in the United States vary as much as the people do. There are church weddings with a great deal of fanfare; there are weddings on mountain-tops with guests barefooted; and there have been weddings on the ocean floor with oxygen tanks for the guests. But many weddings, no matter where or how they are performed, include certain traditional customs. Before a couple is married, they become engaged. And then invitations are sent to those who live nearby, their close friends and their relatives who live far away. When everything is ready, then comes the most exciting moment. The wedding itself usually lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. The wedding party enters the church while the wedding march[1] is played. The bride carrying a bouquet enters last with her father who will give her away[2]. The groom enters the church from a side door. When the wedding party is gathered by the altar, the bride and groom exchange vows. It is traditional to use the words To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part[3]. Following the vows, the couple exchange rings. Wearing the wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is an old custom. After the ceremony there is often a party, called a reception which gives the wedding guests an opportunity to congratulate the newlyweds. The car in which the couple leaves the church is decorated with balloons, streamers and shaving cream. The words Just Married are painted on the trunk or back window. The bride and groom run to the car under a shower of rice[4] thrown by the wedding guests. When the couple drives away from the church, friends often chase them in cars, honking and drawing attention to them. And then the couple go on their honeymoon. 美国人的婚礼 　　美国的国土上居住着各种各样的人，他们的婚礼也千差万别。有热闹庄重的教堂婚礼；有在山顶上举行的婚礼，客人们光着脚陪伴登高；也有在海底举行的婚礼，客人们戴着氧气罐跟着入水。但婚礼无论在哪儿举行或怎样举行，总有某些传统的风俗。 　　在举行婚礼前先要先订婚，然后发放请贴给住在附近的