Nuptial question

[Deirachel]

I strongly agree the the term traditional gets abused.

The age of the tradition is irrelevant; if it can be shown to be a repeated practice, then it is a tradition. Now, the problem I believe we are having is the misunderstanding that traditional does not imply old or ancient. It is traditional for my wife and I to read a book by Robert A. Heinlein around the 4th of July (Moon is a Harsh Mistress). It's a tradition that is only about 6 years old, but it is now a tradition in my household.

It is traditional to give your fiance a diamond ring worth about as much as a month's salary. This started in 1938, or only for about 1% of the time we know marriage has existed.

As for the incorporation into the religious aspects of the ritual, I think this is a discussion best left elsewhere as then we would get into an argument/debate on the the origin of the elements of the current rituals/traditions, too. And, this is clearly against the rules and spirit of this forum.