American Wedding 'I do．' To Americans those two words carry great meaning．They can even change your life, especially if you say them at your own wedding．Making wedding vows is like signing a contract．Now Americans don't really think marriage is a business deal．But marriage is serious business. It all begins with engagement．Traditionally, a young man asks the father of his sweetheart for permission to marry her．If the father agrees, the man later proposes to her．Often he tries to surprise her by 'popping the question' in a romantic way．Sometimes the couple just decides together that the time is right to get married．The man usually gives his fiancee (未婚妻) a diamond ring as a symbol of their engagement．They may be engaged for weeks, months or even years．As the big day approaches, their friends will provide many useful gifts．Today many couples also receive advice during engagement.This prepares them for the challenges of married life. At last it is time for the wedding．Although most weddings follow traditions, there's still room for American.individualism (个人主义) For example, the usual place for a wedding is a church．But some people get married outdoors in a scenic spot．A few even have the ceremony while sky-diving or riding on horseback! The couple may invite hundreds of people or just a few．close friends．They choose their own style. of colors, decorations and music during the ceremony．But some things rarely change．The bride usually wears a beautiful, long white wedding dress．She traditionally wears 'something old,something new, something borrowed and something blue.'The groom wears a formal suit. As the ceremony begins, the groom and his attendants stand with the minister, facing the audience．Music.signals the entrance of the bride's attendants, followed by the beautiful bride．Nervously, the young couple repeats their vows．Traditionally, they promise to love each other 'for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health．' But．sometimes the couple has composed their own vows．They give each other a gold ring to symbolize their marriage commitment．Finally the minister announces the big moment:'I now pronounce you man and wife．You may kiss your bride!' At the wedding reception, the bride and.groom greet their guests．Then they cut the wedding cake and feed each other a bite．Later the bride throws her bouquet of flowers (花束) to a group of single girls．Tradition says that the one who catches the flower will be the next to marry．After the reception, many couples take a honeymoon, a one-to-two-week vacation trip, to celebrate their new marriage. 第 16 题 Americans consider marriage as a business deal.