Marriage

Posted by MichikoNakamura Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:40:13 GMT

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Read this opening conversation:

Michiko: Last night Steven popped the question!
Michael   Really? How did he propose?
Michiko: He got down on his knees and asked for my hand in marriage.
Michael: And what did you say?
Michiko: I said yes, and I just started crying.

In America, the man usually asks the woman to marry him. Read these example sentences:

"He proposed to me"

"He popped the question?"

"He asked for my hand in marriage"

Usually, the man will propose on his knees. When you become engaged, your boyfriend or girlfriend becomes your fiancee. For example:

"I'd like to introduce my fiance Jane"

Now what happens after you become engaged? You have the difficult job of preparing for the wedding. One of the first things you do is decide who is going to be in the wedding party. Read this next conversation:

Michael: Don, you know you're one of my closest friends. I'd like you to be my best man in the wedding.
Don: I'd be honored to.
Michael: My other groomsmen are Phil, Brian, and Joel.
Don: I never thought I'd see the day! I'd thought you'd be celibate all your life.

In this conversation, the friend said:

"I'd be honored to"

Singleness is also called celibacy. For example:

"I don't want to be celibate for the rest of my life"

Some people choose not to have a wedding ceremony. If they have no money then they might elope. Elope means just to run away and get married in front of an ordained minister. If you have a ceremony, it's tough to decide the guest list. Read this next conversation.

Michiko: We have to change our guest list.
Michael: Yes, we have to cut down on the number of guests.
Michiko: How many do we have so far?
Michael: About 200.
Michiko: Let's look at it again.

A guest list is the people you want to invite. Often people have to cut down or decrease the number of guests since they can't afford to pay all the expenses.

Read this example sentence:

"We have to cut down on our guest list"

After you receive a wedding invitation, you should respond. Read this next conversation:

Michael: Stacy, look! We got an invitation to Steven's wedding.
Stacy: When is it?
Michael: March 26th. Can you make it?
Stacy: Maybe. When do we have to reply?
Michael: By February 26th.
Stacy: O.k. wait a few more weeks until I can see my work schedule.
Michael: Alright, but let's not forget to respond to the invitation.
Stacy: By the way, do you think they'll like a gift or money?
Michael: I think they can use the money more.

If you get a formal invitation, you might be required to tell them if you are coming or not. You will know this if you see RSVP. This means to answer as soon as possible. Read these example sentences:

"We have to reply by February 26th"

"Did you answer the invitation yet?"

When you prepare for a wedding, you write down a guest list. When the guests come to the wedding, they sign the guest book. This is so they know who came and the address they should send the thank you cards to.

The father usually walks his daugher down the aisle. This called "giving away." Because the father gives his daughter away to her husband. For example:

"The most touching part was the father giving away his daughter."

The dress that the bride wears is called a wedding gown. Read this example sentence:

"She wore a designer wedding gown made by Pierre Cardin"

"Michiko: Michael, who is the person who is in charge of the ceremony?
Michael: The pastor or priest performs the ceremony.
Michiko:   Then what happens?
Michael: They exchange vows and rings. Then sometimes take communion together or hear a short message from the pastor.

Read this example sentence:

"They exchanged their own vows with each other"

After the ceremony is over, the guests who are invited can go to the reception. There they will usually have a reception line. This is the line in which the bride and groom and their parents greet people. The bridesmaids and groomsmen do not usually participate in this.

Read this conversation:

Woman: Oh Jena, you look gorgeous!
Jena: Thank you! I'm so glad you could make it.
Woman: I'm glad to be here!
Man: Hi, I'm Jena's father.
Woman: I'm one of Jena's college friends, Agnes.
Man:    It's nice to meet you.
Woman: It's a pleasure meeting you too. You must be very proud of Jena. Congratulations.
Man:   Thank you.

When you go through the reception line, there are a few nice things you could say. Read these example sentences:

"Congratulations"

"I'm so happy for you"

"You look wonderful"

Here are some things you could say to the parents:

"You must be very proud"

"It was a beautiful wedding"

At the reception, you might want to take some pictures together. Read this conversation:

Michael: Cindy, do you want to take a picture with us?
Cindy: No, no I'll take the picture for you.
Michael: No, we want you in it. Come here.
Cindy: Oh, alright.

In this conversation, the man wanted Cindy in the picture with the group. He said:

"Do you want to take a picture with us?"

He could also have said:

"Let's take a picture together"

or
"Take a picture with us"

Read this next conversation:

Michael: Vincent is the MC tonight.
Michiko: Oh really?
Michael: Yeah, he's one of Steven's good friends.
Michiko: Well, he does have a lot of charisma and charm.
Michael: Yes, I know all the girls think he's quite a catch.
Michiko: Uh huh, but he's not the only fish in the sea.
Michael: Oh, he's standing at the podium now. The program's starting.

MC stands for master of ceremonies. This is the person who is in charge of the program, introduces everyone, and does all the talking.

People often compare dating with fishing terms. If a person is considered a good or an attractive person to date or marry they are considered a good "catch."

If you break up with someone, a friend might tell you, " there are a lot of fish in the sea." This means that there are still a lot of men or women out there. Read these example sentences:

"Scott is considered a good catch"

"Don't worry, there are a lot of fish in the sea"

In American weddings, the bride and groom prepare small gifts for the guests who come to the reception. Usually the bride will work very hard on them herself. We say she worked "night and day." Read these example sentences:

"Did you get a favor?"

"Jena worked night and day on the favors"

After the reception, the newelyweds usually go on their honeymoon. Read this conversation between the new couple:

Michael: It's finally over! I can't believe we're husband and wife.
Michiko: Yeah, it's a relief to finally be going on our honeymoon.
Michael: Now I can introduce you as my better half.
Michiko: Don't be silly. We're partners in this marriage.
Michael: And I hope we stay that way!