English Learning Content: Weddings
Dialogue
Alice: Hey Bob, guess what? Big news!
Bob: What, Alice? Did you finally learn to juggle? Or win the lottery?
Alice: (Laughs) No, silly! Remember Sarah? Our friend from college? She’s getting married!
Bob: Wow! Really? That’s huge! Who’s the lucky guy?
Alice: Mark! They’ve been together forever. I’m so excited for them!
Bob: Mark, huh? Good for them! I wonder if there will be a lot of dancing. My moves are legendary.
Alice: Of course there will be dancing! And a giant wedding cake! That’s my absolute favorite part.
Bob: Cake is good. Very good. But the suits… do I have to wear a suit? They’re so uncomfortable, like a fancy prison.
Alice: Bob, it’s a wedding! You have to look nice. Maybe you’ll even catch the bouquet!
Bob: The bouquet? Isn’t that for the ladies? I’d much rather catch an extra slice of cake or a falling canapé.
Alice: (Giggles) You’re impossible! I’m already thinking about my dress.
Bob: Just don’t wear a white one. That’s for the bride! You don’t want to confuse people.
Alice: I know that, Mr. Expert! Maybe a nice blue one, or a sparkly green.
Bob: Sounds good. As long as it’s not a giant fluffy one that takes up two seats. I need my space for dancing.
Alice: Oh, you! It’s going to be a beautiful wedding! And yes, there will be cake for you.
Current Situation
Weddings are special events where two people celebrate their love and officially become a married couple. Traditionally, there is a ceremony, often in a church or a special venue, where the couple “exchange vows” (make promises to each other). The bride usually wears a beautiful white “wedding dress,” and the groom wears a suit. After the ceremony, there’s often a “wedding reception” – a party with food, music, dancing, and a big “wedding cake.” Today, weddings can be very different. Some are big and traditional, while others are small, modern, or even have a unique theme. People choose many locations like beaches, gardens, or city halls. The most important part is the couple’s commitment and celebration together.
Key Phrases
- getting married: To become husband and wife.
Example: My sister is getting married next month! - lucky guy/girl: A way to describe the person who is marrying someone special.
Example: He’s the lucky guy who gets to marry her. - wedding cake: A special cake served at a wedding reception.
Example: The wedding cake was huge and delicious. - catch the bouquet: A tradition where the bride throws her flowers, and the person who catches them is believed to be the next to marry.
Example: All the single women tried to catch the bouquet. - wedding dress: The special dress worn by the bride.
Example: The bride’s wedding dress was white and elegant. - exchange vows: To make formal promises to each other during the wedding ceremony.
Example: They will exchange vows at the ceremony. - wedding reception: The party or celebration held after the wedding ceremony.
Example: The wedding reception had great music and lots of dancing.
Grammar Points
- Present Continuous for Future Plans
We use the present continuous tense (am/is/are + verb-ing) to talk about future plans that are already decided or arranged. It’s common for events like weddings, appointments, or travel.
Example from dialogue: “She’s getting married!” (This is a definite plan.)
Other example: “I am meeting my friends for dinner tonight.” - Simple Present for Facts and General Truths
The simple present tense (base form of the verb, add -s for third person singular) is used for facts, general truths, habits, and things that happen regularly.
Example from dialogue: “Cake is good.” (A general statement.)
Other example: “The sun rises in the east.” - Modal Verb: ‘have to’ for Obligation
We use ‘have to’ to express obligation or necessity. It means something is required or very important to do.
Example from dialogue: “You have to look nice.” (It’s necessary to look good at a wedding.)
Other example: “I have to go to work tomorrow.” - Modal Verb: ‘will’ for Future Actions/Predictions
We use ‘will’ to talk about future actions, predictions, or spontaneous decisions.
Example from dialogue: “I wonder if there will be a lot of dancing.” (A prediction about the future.)
Other example: “It will rain tomorrow, I think.”
Practice Exercises
A. Fill in the Blanks with a Key Phrase:
- Sarah is _________ next month.
- The bride’s _________ was long and white.
- Bob prefers to eat the _________ rather than catch the bouquet.
- The party after the ceremony is called the _________.
- Couples _________ promises to each other.
B. True or False (based on the dialogue):
- Alice learned to juggle.
- Sarah is getting married to Mark.
- Bob enjoys wearing suits.
- Bob thinks the wedding will be beautiful.
C. Choose the correct word (‘is’ / ‘are’ / ‘have to’ / ‘will’):
- My friend _________ getting married next summer.
- Guests _________ wear formal clothes at the wedding.
- I think the food _________ be delicious.
- Weddings _________ special events.
D. Answer the questions:
- Who is getting married in the dialogue?
- What is Alice’s favorite part of a wedding?
- What color dress does Alice think about wearing?
Answers:
- A. Fill in the Blanks:
- getting married
- wedding dress
- wedding cake
- wedding reception
- exchange vows
- B. True or False:
- False
- True
- False
- True
- C. Choose the correct word:
- is
- have to
- will
- are
- D. Answer the questions:
- Sarah and Mark
- The wedding cake
- Blue or sparkly green
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