The different Tradition and Norms Americans Have In their Wedding

 

By Jennifer Velazquez

Culture is very important in today society. Culture is a set of tradition, belief, and value. One of the cultures in America is the tradition of someone wedding. Many individuals in America take their wedding seriously especially if it is their first wedding. Not everyone has the same norm and wedding tradition as people have in America.

The picture above represents Americans wedding and some of their tradition. The picture shows the bride at her bridal shower opening her gifts, an example of a vow, the flower girl, and the exchange of rings this represent some of the tradition that American have in their wedding. This tradition has been around for so many years and it is still very important in today society. In the US people have a choice to choose their mate, and who should be included in the ceremony, and where they want their wedding to be, and depending on their religious belief they may have a different minister performing the ceremony. If it is their first time ever getting married the bride usually wears a beautiful white dress and the groom wear a black suit. In another country for example in India they bride wears a red dress and the grooms wear a cream color long coat. One unique thing that Americans are allow to do is that they choice whom to marry. Americans choose a person that they are in love with, and want to spend the rest of their life together. In other countries the bride is not able to choice whom to marry. The father of the bride chooses the groom for his daughter to marry. In the past when a bride is considering getting married the groom will ask the bride father for their blessing to get married. This is to show respect for the bride and her father. Another tradition Americans have is that the bride choices a flower girl which consist of her walking down the aisle with a small basket of flower throwing it on the ground. Also they have a tradition which consists of having a maid of honor a maid of honor is the person who throws a bridal shower. The bridal shower is a place where friends and family gather around and share this special day with the bride and the groom. They also receive gifts and these gifts help the two individual to settle down in their new home. Another part of a wedding tradition is that the bride and the groom exchange vows. The vows are to express their love to each other and their faithfulness for the rest of their life. These two individual exchange wedding rings to each other, which symbolizes a never ending circle of love.

I consider that the wedding tradition in America is such a beautiful and special day for anyone that is getting married. In the passed the groom will ask the bride father for their blessing, but in today society some people don’t take that too seriously. Some people get married without the blessing of the bride father. Not everyone has the same wedding tradition as American. Not saying that Americans wedding tradition are the right way or the wrong way. For example, In America the women choose who they want to marry in Pakistan and India people have arranged wedding. Arranged wedding is when bride father chooses his daughter groom. In Pakistan and India they view arranged wedding as a norm. The bride does not have the option to marry someone she considers she is in love with and can see herself with for the rest of her life. Another example is that American exchange vow and after they exchange the vow they exchange wedding rings. African Americans have a tradition that after they exchange vow they jump over the handle of a broom. Jumping over the handle of a broom is to represent the beginning of the two individual and their new life. That is a norm that African Americans have, but that’s not a norm that Americans have. Every other country has their norms and traditions. Every culture has their tradition and it varies within the person culture.

In America people have several values. For instances, American value freedom of religion freedom of religion allows an individual to choose which god they prefer to believe in. Also, they value their privacy for instance the privacy of their home. Many Americans do not like neighbors or stranger to interfere with their privacy. American also values their family and their wealth. In America people have their own values and beliefs, but in other countries they might have similar values as American, but sometimes they do not value the same things. In India they value respect. Indians show respect to everyone even the kids are also taught to show every individual respect. Indians value patience they consider if an individual have patient a person can get things done correctly.