Betrothal is a formal state of engagement to be married. Historically betrothal was a formal contract, blessed or officiated by a religious authority. Betrothal is no longer common beyond some Arab cultures, and both Orthodox and Messianic Jews.
Typical steps of a betrothal were:
Selection of the bride
usually done by the groom's family with the bride having little or no input
this is no longer practiced except in the most conservative cultures, and most of these have a requirement that the bride be allowed at least veto power
in modern practice the bride price has been reduced to the symbolic engagement ring
Blessing by Clergy
Exchange of Vows and Signing of Contracts
often one of these is omitted
Celebration
The exact duration of a betrothal varies according to culture and the participants’ needs and wishes. For adults, it may be anywhere from several hours (when the betrothal is incorporated into the wedding day itself) to a period of several years. A year and a day are common in neo-pagan groups today. In the case of child marriage, betrothal might last from infancy until the age of marriage.
The responsibilities and privileges of betrothal vary. In most cultures, the betrothed couple is expected to spend much time together, learning about each other. In some historical cultures (including colonial North America), the betrothal was essentially a trial marriage, with marriage only being required in cases of conception of a child. In almost all cultures there is a loosening of restrictions against physical contact between partners, even in cultures which would normally otherwise have strong prohibitions against it. The betrothal period was also considered to be a preparatory time, in which the groom would build a house, start a business or otherwise prove his readiness to enter adult society.
A betrothal is considered to be a 'semi-binding' contract. Normal reasons for invalidation of a betrothal include:
revelation of a prior commitment or marriage,
evidence of infidelity,
failure to conceive (in 'trial marriage' cultures),
failure of either party to meet the financial and property stipulations of the betrothal contract.
Normally a betrothal can also be broken at the behest of either party, though some financial penalty (such as forfeit of the bride price) usually will apply.
The betrothal is a promise of future marriage, and hence it differs from the marriage contract itself, which deals with that state as in the present.
Hence, a marriage contracted between the male party to a betrothal and the mother, sister, or daughter of the other party; and, vice versa, between the woman and the father, brother, or son of the man, would be null and void.
Betrothal in England was once a legal bar to matrimony with another; at present the only legal remedy for the violation of the betrothal is an action for breach of promise.
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