13.TheAmericanofMarriage(美国婚礼)

If any man can show just cause,why they may not lawfully,be joined together,let him now speak,or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

Do you,____,take this man/woman,____,to be your husband/wife and promise to be a loving and loyal husband/wife,to cherish and love him/her for better for worse,for richer for poorer,in sickness and in health,till death do you part?

“I do.”To Americans those two words carry great meaning.They can even change your life.Especially if you say them at your own wedding.Making wedding vows is like signing a contract.Now Americans don't really think marriage is a business deal.But marriage is serious business.

It all begins with engagement.Traditionally,a young man asks the father of his sweetheart for permission to marry her.If the father agrees,the man later proposes to her.Often he tries to surprise her by“popping the question”in a romantic way.

Sometimes the couple just decides together that the time is right to get married.The man usually gives his finance a diamand ring as a symbol of their engagement.They may be engaged for weeks,months or even years.

As the big day approaches,bridal showers and bachelor's parties provide many useful gifts.Today many couples also receive counseling during engagment.This prepares them for the challenges of married life.

如果有人能说出正义的理由，为什么他们不能合法地结合在一起，让他现在说话，否则以后永远保持沉默。

你，____，接受这个男人/女人，____，做你的丈夫/妻子，并承诺做一个有爱心和忠诚的丈夫/妻子，珍惜和爱他/她不论好还是坏，不论富有还是贫穷，不论疾病还是健康，直到死亡才分开？“我愿意。”对美国人来说，这两个词意义重大。它们甚至可以改变你的生活。特别是如果你在自己的婚礼上说这句话。发誓就像签合同一样。现在美国人并不真正认为婚姻是生意。但婚姻是严肃的生意。

一切从订婚开始。传统上，一个年轻人向他心上人的父亲求婚。如果父亲同意，这个男人后来向她求婚。他经常试图通过“蹦出一个问题”来给她一个惊喜以一种浪漫的方式。

有时这对夫妇只是一起决定结婚的时间到了。男人通常会拿一个钻石戒指作为他们订婚的象征。他们可能订婚数周、数月甚至数年。

随着大喜之日的临近，新娘为礼会和单身派对提供了许多有用的礼物。今天，许多夫妇还在订婚期间接受咨询。这为他们应对婚后生活的挑战做好了准备。