What does wedding mean?
A wedding is the ceremony and celebration through which two people become married. In everyday use, the word often includes not only the formal exchange of vows but also the reception, festivities, and other events associated with the marriage. It is a neutral, familiar term found across British and American English, although some speakers prefer the more formal nuptials or marriage ceremony. Wedding can also refer broadly to the marriage itself in phrases such as “their wedding lasted fifty years.” The word is normally countable and takes the plural weddings. Its underlying idea is connected with pledging oneself: a wedding is thus not merely a celebration but a public commitment between two people, often witnessed by family and community.
nounA wedding is a ceremony, and the associated celebration, at which two people are united in marriage.
- A marriage ceremony and the social celebration surrounding it.
"The wedding took place in a historic church followed by a reception in the garden."
"They announced their wedding will take place next summer."
"The speech at the reception reminded everyone what a wedding is really about."
The standard plural of wedding is weddings.
"They have attended three weddings this year."
The word’s core idea is a pledge: a wedding is not just a party, but a public act of commitment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wedding come from?
The word comes from Old English, where related forms referred to pledging, a betrothal, or a marriage agreement. It developed through Middle English into modern wedding, with the modern spelling associated with the dental consonant in the earlier stem. The same root is reflected in wed and wedlock, while unwed is a later formation based on wed.
How wedding is actually used
Generally neutral and widely used in formal and informal contexts. It usually refers to the ceremony and related events, while marriage more often refers to the married state or institution.