Asking for Permission to Get Married

Do people still ask permission to get married?

At Wedded Wonderland, we are an inquisitive bunch! We were recently discussing whether “asking for the hand” was an eastern, western, cultural or religious tradition, or perhaps all of the above. Let’s explore who asks, when they ask, how they ask and WHY they ask. Let the excitement (and nerves) kick in!

Now we understand marriage is an important social institution that involves the union of two individuals. Throughout history, different cultures and religions have had unique ways of approaching marriage, including the act of asking for permission to get married. In this response, we will explore the different cultures, religions, and countries where asking for permission to get married is still practiced.

Cultures, Religions, and Countries:

In many traditional cultures, asking for permission to get married is still considered an important custom. This practice is often observed in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, where parents play a significant role in the lives of their children. We can just picture the family gathered around waiting for the “ask”. Now we have heard there are particular traditional words said to formalise the request.

Asian Culture

Asking for permission to get married in Indian culture.

Photo from @CelebrityUnlock

For example, in India, arranged marriages are still common, and it is customary for the groom’s family to formally ask the bride’s family for their daughter’s hand in marriage. Similarly, in China, it is customary for the groom’s family to present a formal proposal to the bride’s family and ask for their permission to marry their daughter.

Middle Eastern Culture

Photo from pulseproduction

In the Middle East, asking for permission to get married is also considered a traditional practice. In Islamic culture, it is customary for the groom to ask the bride’s father for her hand in marriage. This is done out of respect for the bride’s family and to ensure that the union is approved by both families. Similarly, in some African cultures, it is customary for the groom to approach the bride’s family with a formal proposal and ask for their permission to marry their daughter.

European Culture

Photo by Alli Woods

This custom still exists within many European families from Greek and Italian origin, as well as for those we can say are a little more traditional. The practice of asking for permission to get married is still prevalent in many cultures, religions, and countries around the world. This custom is often rooted in tradition and is done out of respect for the families involved. While it may not be as common in Western cultures, it is still an important part in many societies.

Ultimately, the act of asking for permission to get married serves as a symbol of the union between two families and a commitment to building a strong and lasting relationship. Our tip – perhaps having the conversation with your partner of whether it is custom in their family (particularly if you are marrying into another faith or culture) is worth having before the engagement comes around (way before if you don’t want to give it away!).