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A marriage ceremony with its accompanying festivities <Luke 12:36; 14:8>. Among the Jewish people a wedding was a festive occasion in which the whole community participated.
When the day for the wedding arrived, the bride put on white robes (often richly embroidered), decked herself with jewels, fastened a bridal girdle about her waist, covered herself with a veil, and placed a garland on her head. The bridegroom, dressed in his best clothes, with a handsome headdress on his head, set out for the house of the bride's parents. He was accompanied by his friends, by musicians and singers, and by persons bearing torches if the procession moved at night.
The groom received his bride from her parents with their blessings and the good wishes of friends. Then he conducted the whole party back to his own house or his father's house with song, music, and dancing. On the way back they were joined by additional friends of the bride and groom. A feast was served and celebrated with great joy and merrymaking. In the evening the bride was escorted to the nuptial chamber by her parents, and the groom by his companions or the bride's parents. On the next day the festivities were resumed, continuing for seven days.
Also see MARRIAGE.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
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