Marriages were typically an arrangement to benefit a family's position and wealth in ancient Rome.  As in contemporary society, however, the proceedings followed a traditional format.  You can find some of the wedding ceremony traditions in today's weddings.  

The Bride Wore...

The bride wore a veil and was presented with a wedding ring.  There was a special cake as part of the religious ceremony.  Rice was thrown at the couple following the ceremony, and her bridegroom carried her over the threshold of her new home when they arrived.

These traditions are a part of many wedding ceremonies today.  As would be expected, however, the wedding arrangements and event were more involved.

Three Ceremony Scenarios

There were three ceremony scenarios in ancient Rome.  

Patrician Ceremony

The Patrician* Ceremony followed that a bride was to be accepted by the bridegroom's family's divine spirits.  This meant that control of her was transferred from her father to her husband. At this ceremony, a sacrificial ceremony called "confarreatio" was done to obtain the approval of the Gods. A sacred cake made of Italian grain was eaten by the bride and groom. The cake was dedicated to Jupiter Farreus. This ceremony was done only by Patricians.

*Patrician: person of noble or high rank

Plebeian Marriages

The Plebeian* ceremony was similar in its purpose of control transference.  The ceremony was called "coemptio" - done in the presence of not less than five witnesses who had to be Roman citizens. This ceremony transferred the daughter from her father to her husband.

Another Plebeian ceremony was called "usus" which means uninterrupted co-habitation for one year. These forms of ceremonies were discontinued in Roman society by the second century A.D.

*Plebeian: common people of ancient Rome

Roman Law on Marriage

Emperor Justinian I (482AD-565AD) worked on the Codification of the Law during his reign.  The law, Corpus Iuris Civilis compiled by Tribonian, a lawyer, consisted of three parts.  One of the sections was called the Pandekta, or "Digest."  A portion of the Digest defined marriage as "the union of a man and woman forming an association during their entire lives, and involving the one enjoyment of divine and human privileges."

A portion of the Digest also referred to betrothals, which had become fashionable during this time period. In the Digest, there was detailed information written regarding betrothals.  

©As in the case of marriage, there is no limit to the age of the parties.

©Betrothal can be done at a very early age, but not under the age of 7 years. The parties need to be able to understand what a betrothal means.

©A betrothal must be done at the approval of the parties and under parental control.

©"A girl who evidently does not resist the will of her father is understood to give her consent."

©A daughter can resist consent opposed to her father's wishes if her husband is "unworthy on account of his habits or who is of infamous character."

©Betrothal did not carry any real obligations to marriage.

The Bride's Wedding Day

The Bride's Attire

The bride was to put aside her attire of childhood and put on a hemless tunic and tie a woolen girdle around her waist. She would fasten it with a "special double knot called the knot of Hercules." Over her tunic she wore a cloak of saffron yellow and sandals of the same color.

About her neck she would clasp a metal necklace. Her hair was fashioned with artificial hair separated by narrow bands. She would then put on a veil of red or yellow on the crown of her hair where she placed a wreath of myrtle and orange blossoms.

The Ceremony

When family and guests arrived, there would be a sacrifice of a sheep or goat. The couple would then join hands and pledge themselves. The feast would last until nightfall.  Following the feast, a procession led the bride to her new home. The group included flute players and five torchbearers. The bride was led by the hand on each side of her by a young boy. A third boy walked in front of her carrying the nuptial torch. As the procession neared the groom's home, nuts were thrown by children as a symbol of fertility.

Procedure at the Threshold

When the couple reached the threshold, certain actions had to be conducted before the bride entered her husband's home.

©A white cloth covered with leaves and branches was spread out on the ground.

©The bride had to smear the door posts with fat and oil.  She then tied a strand of wool around the posts.

The bride could then be lifted by her husband and carried over the threshold.  The couple's life together as man and wife began.