Legal Definitions - betrothment

Betrothment: A religious ceremony that confirms an agreement to marry. It was historically performed months or years before the parties wedded and was legally binding as a marriage. In modern times, it is usually part of the marriage ceremony.

Example 1: In medieval times, a betrothal was a formal agreement between families, and the couple was not allowed to marry anyone else. The betrothal was usually followed by a period of engagement before the actual wedding.

Example 2: In some cultures, a betrothal ceremony is still performed before the wedding. For example, in India, a betrothal ceremony called Sagai is performed to confirm the engagement.

The examples illustrate how betrothment was historically a formal agreement between families and how it is still practiced in some cultures today. The betrothal ceremony confirms the engagement and is usually followed by a period of engagement before the actual wedding. In modern times, the betrothal is usually part of the marriage ceremony.