The recent passing of our glorious monarch, Queen Victoria, has made the entire country mourn her death. Queen Victoria was a true leader and visionary. He left behind an extraordinary legacy and a thriving country. During the Victorian era, England flourished and many aspects of the country evolved over time. Marriages in this period were very easily distinguishable, from one social class to another. The weddings of working-class people were simple and intimate, while in contrast the weddings of the middle and upper classes were elaborate and lavish celebrations. Throughout this era, wedding standards and expectations have evolved and changed. Let us now examine the marriages of each social class during the Victorian era. Working Class Wedding Ceremonies Walking into a working class ceremony, your first impression would be that it was very intimate and simple. The best man would have betrayed the blushing bride, because the ceremony would have taken place during working hours. The bride's father could not afford to lose wages and remained at work (Phegley 132). Not many people would take part in the ecclesiastical aspect of marriage; only a tiny amount of people would come. The ceremony had no bells or whistles; the reception was a little larger however.Working class wedding receptionsWorking class receptions took place at night, after working hours. Close relatives and friends who work will be able to attend (Phegley 133). The bride and groom had a very simple cake to cut and serve, and close friends and family gave gifts to the bride and groom. Gifts were practical items that consisted of household items and food (Phegley 133). During these times many couples preferred to go to a pub and receive gifts there (Phegley 133). If you've ever attended one of... half the paper... I went to social cards that have become obsolete and couples just made an announcement in the paper about their wedding. After the honeymoon, the married couple was supposed to receive the guests present at the wedding. If you were the newlywed bride, you had to wear the wedding dress and serve the leftover cake from the reception (Phegley 135). A new era As time passed, couples modified their marriages, adapting them to the signs of the times. Each wedding reflected the social class of the couple getting married. Those struggling financially have had simple marriages with only their closest loved ones. Middle and upper class people had very intricate relationships with many participants. Receptions have evolved from tasty breakfasts to dinners and dances. Throughout this era, many aspects of weddings have changed. I'm really looking forward to seeing new wedding trends and fashions in the years to come!