Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony.2. (n.) The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel. Thesaurus Gretna Green wedding acceptance adoption advocacy affiance affiliation aid approval banns banns of matrimony betrothal betrothing betrothment bridal bridal suite bridechamber chuppah church wedding civil ceremony civil wedding elopement embracement embracing engagement epithalamium espousals espousement forced marriage handfasting honeymoon hymen hymeneal hymeneal rites marriage marriage contract mating nuptial apartment nuptial mass nuptial song nuptials plighted faith plighted troth promotion prothalamium saffron veil shotgun wedding spousal spousals support troth union wedding wedding canopy wedding song wedding veil |