How did people in the Bible get married?

Answer 1

Some had a wedding ceremony, which may have lasted for many days.

Often there were feasts; Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding feast in Canaan.

Some marriage 'formalities' were shorter and simpler; Isaac simply took Rebecca into his deceased mother's tent shortly after meeting her for the first time and they were considered "married."

More Details

The first marriage in The Bible was arranged by God, and was between a man and woman called Adam and Eve. There is not much detail, but the marriage records can be checked at Genesis ch 1:27,28, with more details in chapter 2:22-24 (Jesus Christ also makes reference to this marriage, at Matthew 19:4-6)

In later bible marriages a bride-price often had to be paid first, by the husband-to-be to the bride's father. e.g. Genesis 34:11,12

With regard to the marriage 'ceremony', the main feature was the groom's bringing of the bride from her father's home to his, the groom's, home -Genesis 24:67. Taking her into his home representing welcoming his wife into his family. The date of the event was normally publicized in advance so that the whole community could share in the joy of the occasion and be witnesses to this significant change in the respective family relationships.

Before the Law (through Moses) marriage was an entirely civil matter. There was no priest/vicar at this solemn yet joyful 'ceremony'. There was, as yet, no 'religious' form or 'religious' ceremony. However, the 'marriage' was now known to the public, and it was recorded in the records of the town/village/community. Even in the New Testament there is no record of any priest being necessarily present at a wedding, and no requirement for a priest or religious dignitary to officiate.

Special wedding clothes jewelry, head-dresses, including a veil for the bride, and marriage feasts/celebrations were common, -Isaiah 3:19,23; 49:18; 61:10 Song of Solomon 3:11 John 2:1,2 Revelation 21:2

There would be a wedding procession from the bride's home to the groom's home. The bridal party would be accompanied by musicians, and eventually there would be the marriage feast at the groom's family home. -Genesis 29:22 Matthew 25:1-12; 22:1-3

At the marriage banquet, the invited guests would be allocated their respective places at the low tables. -Luke 14:8-10

There would also be a 'best man.' John 3:29. And wine would also have been part of the marriage feast celebrations. -Psalm 104:14-10, John 2:3-10. As gluttony and drunkenness and over-indulgence are strongly 'discouraged' in the bible, (e.g. Proverbs 23:20,21; 1 Corinthians 5:11-12, 1 Timothy 3:8) and as moderation is encouraged, (Titus 2:2,3) these wedding feasts would have been a joyous and memorableoccasions for all.