Nude wedding
Encyclopedia
Nude weddings are weddings that may include the couple, bridal party, and/or guests involved with the wedding being in the nude
. Participants may choose this style of wedding because they are committed to their nudist lifestyle, or just an average couple that want a different and unusual kind of wedding
. Though nude weddings have occurred throughout history, the first documented nude wedding was celebrated in Elysian Fields, California
in 1942. Since this event, the number of nude weddings being performed has risen across the globe.
Nude weddings may be clothing optional, that means that the wedding couple is nude while the guests may come nude or dressed at their own discretion, or clothes-free with the wedding couple and all the guests naked. There are over 270 clubs in America that are clothes-free or clothes-optional, and some of these serve as locations for nude weddings.
(AANR), which was founded in 1931, nude recreation grew 75 percent during the 1990s. Today, the AANR estimates it has grown to be a 440 million dollar industry, from $120 million in 1992.
with 29 couples getting married at the same time. The wedding was held at Hedonism III
in Runaway Bay, Jamaica on Valentine's Day. The couples involved people of various cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds including a person from Russia, a Canadian, and an American Indian person from the Crow Tribe. The ceremony was conducted by Rev. Frank Cervasio of the Universal Life Church
in Florida.
Participants of the event were required to stay a minimum of 4 days, and arrive on February 12, two days before the marriage ceremony.
culture in Star Trek
because of their ability to see thoughts and emotions of others. This gift evolved their society into an open one, which allowed nude weddings to occur without the taboo element.
There are several novels, and books that include issues based on nude weddings such as the book published in 2000 entitled I Never Performed a Nude Wedding by Naomi Cherny. Cherny, who is a Justice of the Peace in the State of Massachusetts, has performed many weddings herself. In the book, she writes not only about wedding tips, but mentions unusual weddings such as nude weddings.
Nudity
Nudity is the state of wearing no clothing. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic. The amount of clothing worn depends on functional considerations and social considerations...
. Participants may choose this style of wedding because they are committed to their nudist lifestyle, or just an average couple that want a different and unusual kind of wedding
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
. Though nude weddings have occurred throughout history, the first documented nude wedding was celebrated in Elysian Fields, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1942. Since this event, the number of nude weddings being performed has risen across the globe.
Nude weddings may be clothing optional, that means that the wedding couple is nude while the guests may come nude or dressed at their own discretion, or clothes-free with the wedding couple and all the guests naked. There are over 270 clubs in America that are clothes-free or clothes-optional, and some of these serve as locations for nude weddings.
Smock weddings
Smock weddings were a primitive, more androcentric version of the modern day nude wedding that were less about both partners' free will and free expression of openness and acceptance. This version of the nude wedding was a highly public event for the early settlers of New England. A woman was required to either get married in her underwear, a smock, or in the nude, and often included a widowed woman as the bride. Since women were not allowed to own property in those times, whatever possessions a woman had were transferred to her husband. Because of English law, whatever debts a woman's deceased husband had on his property, which included debts on a woman's clothing, became the responsibility of her next husband. A famous smock wedding was that of Hannah Ward, who married Major Moses Joy while she stood naked in a closet with nothing but her hand showing through a hole in the door.Growth of the nude wedding
There has been an increase in the number of nude weddings coupled with the growth of nude recreational practices. According to the American Association for Nude RecreationAmerican Association for Nude Recreation
The American Association for Nude Recreation is a nudist organization in the United States. Founded in 1931, the organization advocates nudity and nude recreation in appropriate settings. The AANR charters approximately 259 independent U.S. nudist resorts and parks...
(AANR), which was founded in 1931, nude recreation grew 75 percent during the 1990s. Today, the AANR estimates it has grown to be a 440 million dollar industry, from $120 million in 1992.
Traditional elements
Nude weddings can include traditional elements such as flowers, veils and accessories, music, and food. An official still conducts the ceremony, and the legal requirements are the same as for any other wedding.World's largest nude wedding
The largest nude wedding took place 2003 in JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
with 29 couples getting married at the same time. The wedding was held at Hedonism III
Hedonism Resorts
Hedonism II and Hedonism III are vacation resorts in Jamaica, operated by SuperClubs. SuperClubs is the operating name of Village Resorts Ltd. The stock holders of Village Resorts Ltd...
in Runaway Bay, Jamaica on Valentine's Day. The couples involved people of various cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds including a person from Russia, a Canadian, and an American Indian person from the Crow Tribe. The ceremony was conducted by Rev. Frank Cervasio of the Universal Life Church
Universal Life Church
The Universal Life Church is a religious organization that offers anyone semi-immediate ordination as a ULC minister free of charge. The organization states that anyone can become a minister immediately, without having to go through the pre-ordination process required by other religious faiths...
in Florida.
Participants of the event were required to stay a minimum of 4 days, and arrive on February 12, two days before the marriage ceremony.
In popular culture
Nude weddings are the norm in the fictional BetazoidBetazoid
In the fictional Star Trek universe, Betazoids are a sentient humanoid species from the planet Betazed, a member of the United Federation of Planets.-Overview:...
culture in Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
because of their ability to see thoughts and emotions of others. This gift evolved their society into an open one, which allowed nude weddings to occur without the taboo element.
There are several novels, and books that include issues based on nude weddings such as the book published in 2000 entitled I Never Performed a Nude Wedding by Naomi Cherny. Cherny, who is a Justice of the Peace in the State of Massachusetts, has performed many weddings herself. In the book, she writes not only about wedding tips, but mentions unusual weddings such as nude weddings.