The wedding rings are whipped out by the best man and the vows uttered by the bride and groom – once those wedding rings are snugly on the fingers of our romantic leads, the fairy tale ends. The prince and princess get married and live happily ever after. It’s no wonder that so many of us long for that special day when we swap wedding rings, vows and our lives change for the better.
Wedding rings bind two people together
Marriage can however be hard work; it can take commitment, patience, forgiveness and compromise. It’s more then that magical moment when the wedding rings are exchanged. But although it is in essence the social and legal joining of two people for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family, it is possible to ensure your marriage has a happy ever after.
Buying and wearing wedding rings
Buying and wearing wedding rings is more than a legal contract, it’s an expression of fidelity, of a lifetime commitment and love. In fact, the wearing of wedding rings is seen by some as the ‘highest romantic achievement possible’. And the enduring happy ending appeal of romantic novels and films demonstrates that the allure of wedding rings and marriage still lives on today. Just about every romantic comedy, Mills and Boons novel, traditional literary romance and love story on TV ends with the exchange of wedding rings, showing that marriage is still very much seen as the happy ever after ending that we all desire. Whether it’s the Vicar of Dibley, Pride and Prejudice or a long running soap, marriage is seen as the ultimate goal.
The happy ending
Pride and Prejudice is one of the nation’s favourite books, its ending features Elizabeth Bennet marrying the dreamy Mr Darcy – a story that has inspired thousands, including the modern day interpretation, Bridget Jones’ Diary. Even for the independent, feisty Bridget she’s desperately unhappy until the promise of wedding rings is revealed. Marriage is often the conclusion to romantic dramas and comedies as the protagonist’s aspirations are finally wrapped up at The End. It’s a Cinderella story that has been passed through generations, revamped and rewritten, but always with the same happy ending – when the wedding rings are slipped onto the bride and groom’s fingers.