With 2012 being a Leap Year, there is much talk this month of weddings and engagements but where did it all start?

The history of engagement prior to marriage comes from Jewish law, first demonstrated by Abraham, with two ceremonies a betrothal ceremony and the marriage itself. They used to be a year apart but since the Middle Ages, traditions have evolved and the two ceremonies in a Jewish wedding have taken place on the same day. (A betrothal is separate from an engagement in this custom and is more formal as a violation of betrothal is considered adultery).

In some historical cultures, including colonial North America, the betrothal was considered a trial marriage in which the groom would build a house, start a business or otherwise prove his readiness to enter adult society.

The ring is a modern symbol of the traditional dowry in European culture. The tradition of giving a ring also originated in Judaism with a golden nose ring.

Romans believed the circle was a bond between the two people who were to be married and signified eternity and first wore it on the fourth finger as they believed this was the beginning of the vein of love with a direct connection to the heart.

The modern Western practice of giving engagement rings is traditionally thought to have begun in 1477 when Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring as an engagement present.

So today’s weddings, with wedding planners, massive budgets et al, have a lot to thank for the origins that go as far back as the Romans!