Many cultures use rituals and myths to commemorate special rites of passage. During rituals, people often practice family traditions that have been passed down from one generation to another.

Marriage is a ritual that is performed in nearly every culture, incorporating many century-old customs. In North America, many couples no longer have traditional religious ceremonies. Instead, they participate in more relaxed civil marriage ceremonies. Such ceremonies include personalised vows and proceedings.

A sampling of the rituals practised by brides and grooms throughout history include:

• wearing a white gown to symbolise that the Bride did not have any debts;

• the bachelor dinner began in ancient Sparta when the groom invited his close friends to dinner on the eve of his wedding;

• throwing rice at newly wed couples as a symbol of abundance, fertility, and good luck;

• the garter toss originated in Medieval times when guests escorted couples to their marriage bed and helped them undress--tossing the Bride's garters to the crowd.