Wedding vs. Marriage — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
A wedding is a ceremony or event marking the start of a marriage. A marriage is the ongoing relationship or legal union between two people.
Difference Between Wedding and Marriage
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A wedding is an event, often a day of celebration and ceremony, where two people are united in marriage. It's an occasion marked by rituals and traditions, signifying the start of a couple's life together. A marriage, conversely, is the continuous process or state of being united as partners in a personal relationship, traditionally one recognized by law, after the wedding has taken place.
Weddings are characterized by their festivity and joyous nature. They are often large events with friends and family coming together to witness the commitment of the couple entering into marriage. Marriage itself, however, is the day-to-day living and building of a life together that comes after the wedding. It is about the practices, sacrifices, and joys that come with a long-term partnership.
While a wedding is a single event that can be measured in hours and remembered with photographs, marriage is measured in years, experiences, and shared life events. Weddings are planned, often in great detail, from the decorations to the vows. Marriages are lived and require continuous nurturing and adjustment, far beyond what any single day can plan or predict.
The wedding typically involves a legal or religious ceremony, with specific vows and cultural practices that are observed. Marriage encompasses all the legal, social, and emotional responsibilities and benefits that arise from the union established on the wedding day. It's the legal bond that carries various rights and obligations.
Each wedding marks the beginning of a potentially lifelong marriage, an institution that shapes personal lives, families, and societies. While the wedding may reflect a couple's culture, personality, and values, the marriage that follows becomes a testament to their commitment, love, and ability to grow together over time.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A ceremony to mark the start of a marital union.
A legally or formally recognized union of two people.
Duration
A single event, typically lasting one day.
An ongoing relationship, potentially for life.
Purpose
To celebrate the union of a couple.
To maintain a personal and legal partnership.
Nature
Ceremonial and festive.
Legal, emotional, and often spiritual.
Focus
The official start of a partnership.
The continual development of a partnership.
Compare with Definitions
Wedding
An act, process, or time of being married.
The wedding was followed by a grand reception.
Marriage
The state of being united to a person.
They celebrated twenty years of happy marriage.
Wedding
A joining in marriage.
The wedding of these two cultures was a joyous occasion.
Marriage
The institution whereby individuals are joined.
They believe marriage is for life.
Wedding
A marriage ceremony with its accompanying festivities.
They planned their wedding for next spring.
Marriage
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock is a culturally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws.
Wedding
A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes.
Marriage
The legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship (historically and in some jurisdictions specifically a union between a man and a woman)
The children from his first marriage
A happy marriage
Marriage vows
Wedding
A marriage ceremony, especially considered as including the associated celebrations.
Marriage
A combination or mixture of elements
Her music is a marriage of funk, jazz, and hip-hop
Wedding
The act of marrying.
Marriage
A legal union between two persons that confers certain privileges and entails certain obligations of each person to the other, formerly restricted in the United States to a union between a woman and a man.
Wedding
The ceremony or celebration of a marriage.
Marriage
A similar union of more than two people; a polygamous marriage.
Wedding
The anniversary of a marriage
A silver wedding.
Marriage
A union between persons that is recognized by custom or religious tradition as a marriage.
Wedding
The act or an instance of joining closely
A wedding of ideas.
Marriage
A common-law marriage.
Wedding
Present participle of wed
Marriage
The state or relationship of two adults who are married
Their marriage has been a happy one.
Wedding
To participate in a wedding.
Marriage
A wedding
Where is the marriage to take place?.
Wedding
Marriage ceremony; ritual officially celebrating the beginning of a marriage.
Her announcement was quite a surprise, coming a month after she published the words "I hate weddings with a passion and a fury I can only partially explain rationally."
Marriage
A close union
"the most successful marriage of beauty and blood in mainstream comics" (Lloyd Rose).
Wedding
Joining of two or more parts.
The wedding of our three companies took place last week.
Marriage
(Games) The combination of the king and queen of the same suit, as in pinochle.
Wedding
Nuptial ceremony; nuptial festivities; marriage; nuptials.
Simple and brief was the wedding, as that of Ruth and of Boaz.
Let her beauty be her wedding dower.
Marriage
The state of being married.
You should enter marriage for love.
Wedding
The social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
Marriage
A union of two or more people that creates a family tie and carries legal, social, and/or religious rights and responsibilities.
Wedding
The act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony;
Their marriage was conducted in the chapel
Marriage
The union of only two people, to the exclusion of all others.
My grandparents' marriage lasted for forty years.
Pat and Leslie's marriage to each other lasted forty years.
Wedding
A party of people at a wedding
Marriage
The union of two people of opposite sex, to the exclusion of all others.
Wedding
A ceremony for marrying couples.
The wedding at the beach was a beautiful affair.
Marriage
A wedding; a ceremony in which people wed.
You are cordially invited to the marriage of James Smith and Jane Doe.
Wedding
A social event marking a marriage.
Friends and family gathered to celebrate the wedding.
Marriage
(figuratively) A close union.
Marriage
A joining of two parts.
Marriage
(card games) A king and a queen, when held as a hand in some versions of poker or melded in pinochle.
Marriage
(card games) In solitaire or patience games, the placing a card of the same suit on the next one above or below it in value.
Marriage
(prison slang) A homosexual relationship between male prisoners.
Marriage
The act of marrying, or the state of being married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife; wedlock; matrimony.
Marriage is honorable in all.
Marriage
The marriage vow or contract.
Marriage
A feast made on the occasion of a marriage.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son.
Marriage
Any intimate or close union.
Marriage
In pinochle, bézique, and similar games at cards, the combination of a king and queen of the same suit. If of the trump suit, it is called a royal marriage.
Marriage
The state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce);
A long and happy marriage
God bless this union
Marriage
Two people who are married to each other;
His second marriage was happier than the first
A married couple without love
Marriage
The act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony;
Their marriage was conducted in the chapel
Marriage
A close and intimate union;
The marriage of music and dance
A marriage of ideas
Marriage
The legal union of a couple.
Their marriage was solemnized in June.
Marriage
The mutual relation of married persons.
Their marriage is built on trust and understanding.
Marriage
A close union.
The marriage of flavors in the dish was perfect.
Common Curiosities
What is marriage?
Marriage is a legally and socially sanctioned union between two people.
Can weddings be legal without a marriage license?
No, weddings without a legal marriage license are symbolic and not legally recognized.
What is a wedding?
A wedding is a ceremony and celebration marking the beginning of a marriage.
Can you have a marriage without a wedding?
Yes, some jurisdictions allow for legal unions without a formal wedding ceremony.
Do all cultures celebrate weddings the same way?
No, wedding customs vary widely among different cultures.
Is marriage only a legal concept?
No, marriage is also a personal and often spiritual commitment between partners.
Does a wedding have to be a large event?
No, weddings can range from large events to intimate ceremonies.
Is it possible to renew a marriage?
Couples can renew their commitment through a vow renewal ceremony.
How long does a wedding last?
A wedding is typically a one-day event, although related festivities can extend longer.
Can weddings be customized?
Yes, weddings can be personalized to reflect the couple's preferences and values.
Is a religious ceremony necessary for a marriage?
Not necessarily, as civil marriages are also legally recognized.
What makes a marriage successful?
Success in marriage often depends on mutual respect, communication, and effort.
What is a civil wedding?
A civil wedding is a non-religious ceremony conducted by a government official.
How does one end a marriage?
A marriage can be legally ended through divorce or annulment procedures.
Are wedding anniversaries important in a marriage?
Celebrating anniversaries can be a significant way to honor a marriage's longevity.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
