I suspect the choice of white came about in Victorian times for dresses more as a symbol of wealth and status - a family announcing that they had enough money to splash out on a thoroughly impractical item of clothing that could not be used again, and possibly as a 'sign' of how delicate and precious their dear daughter was (i.e. not the type who'd get it covered in dirt in the kitchen, nor the type to go and get tell-tale grass stains on her frock
).
There is a 'public declaration' before marriage in the UK - banns must be published and read out on Sundays for three weeks in advance of a church marriage, and for a civil marriage the names of the couple must be published on the notice board in the registry office for 21 days in advance of the date. Prevents 'Britney style' weddings...
Quote:
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It was the act of bodily union that achieved marriage, and after which the indissoluble bond was complete. In happy days and times of peace it was held ungracious and contemptuous of kin to forgo the ceremonies, but it was at all times lawful for any of the Eldar, both bein unwed, to marry thus of free consent on to another without ceremony or witness (save blessings exhanged and the naming of the Name); and the union so joined was alike indissoluble
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Now, tell me I have a warped mind if needs must
, but I know what that looks like. It looks to me like
sleeping together was the actual act that caused two Elves to 'be married' (as opposed to taking rings or signing a book) and they could forgo the ceremony if necessary. Just so long as they said their blessings. Eol and Aredhel must have married in this way, as I don't remember any other Elves being around in his woods.
Saves money anyway...