What do the engagement mean? Why does tradition want them to precede marriage? When to do them and what to offer … This key moment in your union asks you, and we answer them.
Why get engaged?
(Update of November 12, 2021). Marriage is such an old institution that it is loaded with codes and customs. Traditionally, It is preceded by a proposal that has been baptized “engagement” and which corresponds to a common promise. It is a way of deciding together to commit to each other and on the path of a union, civil or religious. But it is also, historically, A way to formalize your relationship to family and society. Before being a full -fledged moment, the engagement were gathered with the wedding, the two were linked very quickly. Today, a time (often quite long) separates the engagement from the wedding. In this way, the bride and groom have time to prepare the ceremony!
Engagement: what meaning?
The term “engagement” comes from the Latin “confiare” which means “entrust to”. Historically, engagement is a declaration of marriage intention. They are traditionally intended to announce that we entrust her daughter to the future husband, she then becomes the “promised”. The engagement is a commitment both private and public: if the ring symbolizes that a wedding path is taken by the couple, everyone remains free as long as marriage has not been pronounced. THE engagement also makes it possible to formalize a relationship with the entourage and the company.
What difference between engagement and marriage proposal?
We often tend to confuse engagement and marriage proposal. Today, the two overlap because during the engagement, the future husband asks the other: “Do you want to marry me?” But historically, this was not going on. Engagement was an agreement to Get on a wedding project. The marriage proposal was at the time of the union, when the spouses each replied: “Yes I want it”. Even today, the marriage proposal is made to the town hall and/or the church: “Do you want to take for husband?” However, the marriage proposal has become a way for the future husband to ask for the hand of her future wife.
How is the marriage proposal?
This tradition has evolved a lot over time! Historically, it is the young man’s family, or the young man himself who must first contact the girl’s family to offer engagement. Then the ring was offered and passed to the left annular of the young lady. Today, This Union moment is often rid of conventional conveniences. In general, the engagement is materialized by the demand and the offering of the jewel by the future groom. But this can do without various ways: in the restaurant, in an evocative place for the couple, with an audience or in private, at home … The cinematographic representation grants this request a particular gesture, Whoever offers engagement puts a knees on the ground and hands the jewel in the open setting. It is also customary celebrate the engagement To celebrate the news of the wedding, around a meal with friends and family, for example.
How are the engagement going?
Depending on cultures and religions, engagement is celebrated in different ways. In the Catholic tradition, after demand, You can organize a meal or a party to bring families together and get to know the wedding. In Islam as he is practiced in the Maghreb, the future groom and his family go to the young woman for Ask his hand, then the groom’s family arrives with their arms loaded with gifts, and The bride’s family is preparing a large meal to unite the two tribes. Then they take advantage of this moment of commitment to agree on the organization of marriage. In the Jewish religion, We invite the family and we serve a festive meal to honor the engagement, it is already a celebration in itself. Traditionally, the young man’s mother offers jewelry to the girl.
Engagement: how long before marriage?
The whole course of the wedding is highly codified in our society. So, Tradition has it that the engagement occurs some time before the celebration of the Union : We estimate this period Between 6 and 12 months. This allows time to warn the guests and organize the ceremony. But There is no minimum or maximum legal period to respect. Some couples get engaged without even planning a wedding date, others choose to get married very quickly after the engagement …
Which engagement ring to choose?
Traditionally, the fiancé or her family offers a beautiful ring to the promise. This materialization of the promise was born in the Middle Ages. At that time, the couple exchanged a very simple ring. In 1477, the ring was adorned with a diamond, following the request of Archduke Maximilien from Marie de Bourgogne. The engagement ring can be bought new or be a family jewel, a grandmother. Thus, sentimental value will be more marked. If the ring is new, it is preferable that it is to the taste of the young woman. Do not hesitate to question the future fiancée or his entourage. If it is a family ring, it can be resized and set for the taste of the future bride.
Engagement gift: What should we offer?
Traditionally, the engagement gift represents the material commitment of the two families who will marry their child. The engagement gift is generally a value jewel like A engagement ring or a beautiful watch. So he is the material proof of the marriage promise exchanged between the two families.
Unlike his promise, It is not customary to offer a gift to the fiancé. Nevertheless, It is increasingly common that the latter receives a engagement gift. Several ideas are possible, such as offering:
- A Value Watch
- Cuff buttons
- a gourmet
- a chain
- a collar
- a rooted bathrobe in its name or in the name of the couple
- And why not give him a ring in your turn?
- If sir is not pretty, give him a gift related to his passion.
- This gift can also be immaterial: an experience or getaway, for example.
