No Confusion on Marriage

[418 words] In my work as a minister I have had several opportunities to conduct weddings. There was never any confusion as to which person was the “bride” in contrast to the “bridegroom.” The woman was always the bride. The man was always the bridegroom. Each and every time, this was reflected in the language I used when officiating at the ceremony. For example, I would begin the nuptials by saying something like: “Dearly beloved, we are here gathered together in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.” As the ceremony progressed I would ask the groom: “will you have this woman to be your wedded wife.” Similarly, I would quiz the bride: “will you have this man to be your wedded husband.” Finally, the man and woman would be pronounced as married and presented as husband and wife. This language, as…