Weddings are rituals that regulate transitions in the lives of individuals and their groups. The anniversary publication marking the 25th anniversary of the Institute for International Communication e.V. in Düsseldorf and Berlin examines the forms and functions of this important social ritual in history and the present. Interdisciplinary perspectives are taken into account, exploring theory, historical developments, and the intra- and transcultural significance of weddings and marriage from a cultural studies perspective. Ancient, medieval, and pre-modern societies emphasize the aspect of utility more strongly in their wedding concepts, serving as a flattering or distorting mirror for modernity. In contemporary times, divergent and sometimes opposing trends are emerging: on one hand, there is a merging and hybridization of conventional rituals, while on the other hand, there are efforts to restore traditional practices.