Despite being located on opposite sides of the globe from one another, the UK and the USA are related due to their shared history and strong bonds. The west not only colonized America in the late 1500s, but the two nations have remained close allies ever since (even though they did go to war against each other). So even though the two are very similar, their accents and cultures are very different. How does this come across at weddings? Today, we’ll examine the differences between weddings in the UK and the USA.
US vs. UK WEDDING FOOD
Both countries have very similar traditions when it comes to wedding food. For instance, both countries enjoy lavish wedding cakes and banquets to ensure that guests never go hungry, but even in these set pieces, both nations display their traditions.
For instance, Americans adore their Thanksgiving dinners, which typically include roasted turkey and pumpkin pie and are also common choices for weddings! On the other hand, if you wanted a true garden tea party for your wedding reception, the English love their tea served with tiny cakes and sandwiches.
Check out: How to Choose the Right Cake for Your Wedding and A Guide on Wedding Food.
MARRIAGE SITES: USA VS. UK
You have a wide range of options for wedding locations in America, from the arid deserts of Nevada to the wealthy concrete jungles of New York. In America, there are many options for getting married. Imagine a marriage between aliens outside Area 51 or at Sleepy Hollow! However, Americans much prefer local venues and spend a lot on hosting, entertaining, and decorating rather than traveling far.
If you want to get married locally in the UK, you have a much smaller selection of biomes to choose from, but with Europe nearby, this is not difficult to overcome. You can take iconic beach photos along the shores where the Romans once roamed or get married like pagans in a stone circle. With a wealth of history, including castles and stone-age artifacts. Britons adore having destination nuptials!
US vs. UK WEDDING SONGS
The two nations are comparable in terms of the top choices for wedding music. However, due to some variations, some songs might appear on their playlists before others.
From New York to Texas, you’re more likely to hear country songs or tunes sung in the region with an American accent. These can range from contemporary songs by Beyoncé and Rihanna to Dolly Parton hits from the 1960s. .
On the other hand, at a UK wedding, you’ll notice more British accents, from the Spice Girls to the Beatles. But since Europe is only a few miles away, there will also be a variety of European influences, such as ABBA, Euro-pop, and Euro-dance! The bottom line is that, compared to American weddings, theirs are more likely to feature classical music.
Check out: Choosing The Ideal Wedding Music: A History of Love Songs!
MARRIAGE PRICES: US VS. UK
Where in the UK or the USA is the best place to get married given the rising costs of weddings?
According to Statista.com, the average cost of a wedding in the US is significantly higher than in the UK. American weddings cost about $29,000, which is about a third more than British weddings, which cost just $19,000.
The aforementioned source doesn’t provide any explanations for this significant discrepancy. However, most people can agree that Americans love to plan elaborate wedding celebrations with lots of planning and creative ideas to make the occasion one that no one will ever forget. However, weddings in the UK are traditional and conservative.
USA VS. UK: LEGAL WEDDING REGULATIONS
The laws governing weddings in the UK and the USA are similar, but there are some differences that make one thing more difficult or impossible to do than the other. For instance, in the UK, you can marry at 16, whereas in the United States you would need to wait until you were between the ages of 18 and 21. (depending on the state).
There is also a drinking law! If you get married before the legal drinking age of 21 in the USA, you will be drinking juice at your reception. The legal marriage age in the UK is rigidly set at 18, so people getting married at 16 or 17 will experience the same issues as people getting married young in the USA.
USA vs. UK: Wedding Rings
Whether you get married in the UK or the USA, there will always be a band because wedding rings are an essential part of contemporary marriage. But how dissimilar are their customs regarding wedding rings?
In the UK, brides and grooms prefer classic ring designs to ostentatious ones. The best example of this is how they choose their diamonds, picking out smaller gems in particular cuts. They also adore their traditional weddings and attire, with bands denoting excellence and class. Therefore, if we are considering
However, rings are viewed as flashy, eccentric, and outlandish in America. Returning to the diamond example, they prefer large, blingy diamonds set in princess or pave settings.
Therefore, an American might prefer the Medusa (pictured above) in the Thorum collection, while the British might adore the Victoria in the UK (shown below).
MARRIAGE ATTIRE: US VS. UK
Although both American and British brides adore their traditional white wedding gowns, when they choose to be more daring, the differences between their weddings stand out. For instance, European brides prefer their more laid-back cocktail dresses to the large, flowing ballgowns that American brides adore.
Because it’s all about going big or not bothering at all, American brides spend more money on their wedding gowns. UK wedding dresses, on the other hand, are just as important but much more affordable and conservative in style.
US VS. UK WEDDING SUIT
Unlike other elements of their weddings, like dresses or rings, the wedding suit game is not as different between the two nations. The hats they choose to wear and the kind of suits they wear, however, are two aspects that merit discussion.
More men are likely to wear top hats or flat caps in the UK as part of their suit accessories, supporting the notion that British weddings value their traditional, traditional customs. Second, they frequently don lounge suits or morning suits.
In America, grooms typically do not wear hats, but if they did, they might select a fedora or cowboy hat. Additionally, they typically dress in a tuxedo or lounge suit of their choice that has a contemporary twist, like a fun color or pattern.
THEMES FOR WEDDINGS: US VS. UK
You would have known that the USA is the country that goes the furthest with themed weddings. The more unusual the wedding, the more popular it is in America. In the United States, weddings are more likely to take place in cemeteries, and the same is true of outrageous science-fiction unions. Any American wedding that embraces a theme can be anticipated to be a historical occasion.
While in the UK, themed weddings are popular but not to the same extent as their American counterparts. The UK adores destination weddings, where couples travel abroad to commemorate their union. Greece, Italy, and France are all well-liked locations. They prefer open dance halls, old cathedrals, and any other traditional venue you can think of for their in-home weddings, though. These might have druid themes, castle themes, or even a traditional Victorian wedding theme.
US vs. UK WEDDING DECORATIONS
The USA follows a similar pattern to other countries on this list when it comes to wedding decorations; they frequently go all out with unique and extravagant ideas. So expect big venues, bright lights, lots of entertainment, and so much to see that it is impossible to see it all while attending as a guest alone.
Classic banquet halls with few decorations or themes are common in the UK. Instead, they adore using candles, flowers, and other charming symbols to accentuate the beauty of the environment. Therefore, they frequently choose a location that can be easily transformed into a setting akin to those in Victorian romances.
FINAL COMMENTS: US VS. UK WEDDINGS
In their most basic forms, weddings in the US and the UK are comparable because they draw on the same historical cultural traditions. But as we’ve seen, whether they aim for extravagance or the classic, each of them has distinctive qualities that make them distinctive in their own right. But each is distinct from the other and neither is superior to the other, and that is what makes the world extraordinary.
