How to Sign "Wedding"

Start with both hands in front of you, slightly apart, with your palms facing your body and fingers loosely curved. Bring your hands together in the center of your chest, clasping them so your dominant hand rests on top of your non-dominant hand. The motion should be smooth, resembling two people joining hands.

Examples Using "Wedding" in a Sentence

1

Are you going to the wedding?

Sign 'you', 'go', and then 'wedding'. Make sure to raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward at the end to indicate you are asking a yes/no question.

2

Their wedding was beautiful.

Point to indicate 'their', sign 'wedding', and finish with the sign for 'beautiful' while showing a pleasant, expressive facial expression to match the happy tone.

3

My sister is planning her wedding.

Sign 'my', 'sister', 'plan', and then 'wedding'. Keep the clasping motion of 'wedding' clear and deliberate to emphasize the event being planned.

How to Sign "Wedding"
Start with both hands in front of you, slightly apart, with your palms facing your body and fingers loosely curved. Bring your hands together in the center of your chest, clasping them so your dominant hand rests on top of your non-dominant hand. The motion should be smooth, resembling two people joining hands.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'wedding' is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the concept it describes. The action of the two hands coming together and gently clasping perfectly mimics a couple holding hands during a marriage ceremony. This physical joining of the hands is a universal symbol of union, commitment, and two lives coming together as one. Because of this strong, intuitive visual connection, it is usually a very easy sign for beginners to remember and execute correctly.
Signing Tips
When signing 'wedding,' make sure your dominant hand ends up on top when you clasp your hands together. The movement should be smooth and deliberate, bringing the hands from a slightly separated, relaxed position into a firm but gentle clasp right in front of your chest. Keep your shoulders relaxed and ensure your facial expression matches the mood of the conversation to make the sign look natural. Practicing the gentle clasping motion will help you avoid looking stiff.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is clapping their hands together too forcefully, which changes the tone of the sign. It should be a gentle clasp, not a loud or aggressive clap. Another common error is placing the non-dominant hand on top. In ASL, your dominant hand typically leads the movement or rests on top for two-handed joining signs like this one. Finally, make sure your hands meet in the center of your chest rather than too high up near your face.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Wedding" in a Sentence
1

Are you going to the wedding?

Sign 'you', 'go', and then 'wedding'. Make sure to raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward at the end to indicate you are asking a yes/no question.

2

Their wedding was beautiful.

Point to indicate 'their', sign 'wedding', and finish with the sign for 'beautiful' while showing a pleasant, expressive facial expression to match the happy tone.

3

My sister is planning her wedding.

Sign 'my', 'sister', 'plan', and then 'wedding'. Keep the clasping motion of 'wedding' clear and deliberate to emphasize the event being planned.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'wedding' the same as 'marry'?

Yes, in ASL, the signs for 'wedding' and 'marry' are generally the exact same clasping motion. The context of your sentence will let the other person know whether you are talking about the event itself or the action of getting married.

Does it matter which hand is on top?

Yes, it does. As a general rule in ASL, your dominant hand should be the one that rests on top or performs the primary action. If you are right-handed, your right hand will clasp over your left hand.

How fast should I bring my hands together?

The motion should be done at a natural, moderate pace. Avoid slamming your hands together quickly; it should look like a gentle, deliberate joining of hands to accurately reflect the loving meaning of the word.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!