For a considerable time the observance of a marriage- ceremony fell into desuetude among the Christians, to remedy which certain laws enforcing it were enacted in the 8th century. The ceremony now differs in different places. In Scotland, like all other religious services of that country, it is extremely simple, and is performed in the session-house, the residence of the minister, or the private house of some friend of one of the parties. In Lutheran countries it is generally celebrated in private houses. In England, by the ancient common law, a like custom prevailed as in Scotland until 1757, when, by lord Hardwicke's Act, a ceremony in a church of the state establishment was made necessary, and this con- tinued tin 1830, when the Dissenters succeeded in re- moving this exclusiveness. Persons have now the op- tion of two forms of contracting marriage : it may be with or without a religious ceremony ; and, if with a re- ligious ceremony, it may be either in the established church or in a dissenting chapel. If the marriage is to take place in an established church, then there must be either publication of banns of marriage for three pre- ceding successive Simdays, or a license or certificate ob- tained, which dispenses with such publication ; and, in either case, seven or fifteen days' previous residence in the parish by one of the parties is necessary', according as it is a certificate or license respectively which is ap- plied for. The marriage must take place in the church, the marriage-service of the Church of England being read over, and this must be done in canonical hours, i. e. between 8 and 12 A.M., in presence of two witnesses at the altar, before which, in the body of the church, the parties are placed, after having mutually joined hands, and pledged their mutual troth, according to a set form of words, Avhicli they say after the minister; the man gives a ring to the woman, then laj's it on the book, with the accustomed duty to the priest and clerk. The priest then takes the ring and delivers it to the man, whom he instructs to put it on the fourth finger of the woman's left hand, and, holding it there, to repeat the words, " With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endo-w. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." The minister next joins their right hands together, and, after prayers and blessings, during certain parts of which the man and woman kneel before the altar, they are dismissed with the reading of a part of the Prayer-book, which points out the duties of the marriage state. If the marriage is celebrated in a dissenting chapel (and for that purpose such chapel must be duly licensed and registered!, there must be present the superintendent-registrar of the district as one of the witnesses, but the dissenting clergyman may use his own or any kind of form of service. If the mar- riage is not to be with any religious ceremony, then it must take place in the office of the superintendent-reg- istrar, and in presence of witnesses, the essential thing being that both parties should in the presence of wit- nesses there exchange a declaration that they take each other for man and wife. The canonical hours must be attended to in all cases, and the condition of previous residence bj' one of the parties in the district ; but the condition of residence is often evaded. In all cases the
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fact of the marriage must be entered in a register, which register is kept by a public ofticer, and ultimately filed and kept in Somerset House, Loudon, where a copy of the certificate of registration of every marriage in Eng- land can at all times be had for a small sum.
In the United States of xYmerica the customs of the Church of Scotland are followed by the Presbyterian and Congregational churches, and measurably also by tlie Baptists. The Protestant Episcopal Church ad- heres closely to the practices of the Church of England, and from the latter the IMethodists also, in a somewhat modified form, have copied in this particular. Minor ecclesiastical bodies of the Christian Church follow the practices of one or the other of the churches mentioned. The laws of the several states differ someAvhat as to the matter of marriage ceremonies, but they are adapted to the usages of all acknowledged Christian denominations, and recognise the validity of the act whether performed by a clergyman or magistrate, or by a simple contract before witnesses.
Peculiar usages are found in some of the Eastern churches of to-daj^ In Kussia the bride and bride- groom hold a lighted taper in their hands in front of a small altar placed in the centre of the church. Kings are placed on their fingers, and, their hands being join- ed, they are led by the priest three times round the altar. Two highly-ornamented gilt crowns are placed on their heads, and held over them by the groomsman during a part of the service. They drink wine out of a cup three times, and, kissing one another, the ceremony is finished. The married couple then make the tour of the church, crossing themselves at and saluting each saintly image on their way. Weddings generally take place towards evening, so that immediately after the ceremony dinner commences at the house of the bride's father. At a marriage-ft^ast lighted candles are placed in every posi- tion and corner possible. No other wine but cham- pagne is drunk, and the quantity of this beverage con- sumed is remarkable. The dinner is followed by a ball, and the feasting is usually kept up for twenty-four hours. The custom of honeymoon does not exist in Kussia. The married couple spend the first few days of their ■Nvedded life witli the bride's father. Shortlj' after the marriage the bride and bridegroom must call upon every one of their relations, friends, and acquaintances, and after this ceremony is finished they sinlv back into their ordinary life (^Ivan at Home). For the Roman Catholic view of marriage, see Matrimony.