nuptials
noun

- a person's marriage and marriage celebrations

(Cambridge Dictionary)

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ORIGIN

As a noun, nuptial uses the plural form to describe a wedding ceremony. In the singular, it's an adjective meaning "relating to marriage", such as "The newlyweds are still in a state of nuptial bliss." Cynics might describe "nuptial bliss" as a contradiction in terms, but there is still something to be said for the state of happiness experienced by most couples when they marry.

Nuptial is also a science term. It describes an important phase in the reproduction of most ant, termite, and some bee species. During the flight, virgin queens mate with males and then land to start a new colony, or, in the case of honey bees, continue the succession of an existing hived colony.

The etymological root goes back to the Latin "nuptialis" (pertaining to marriage) and "nuptiae" (wedding). It's from nupta, the feminine past participle of nubere, meaning "to marry, wed, take as a husband" and is also related to the Greek nymphe (bride).

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SYNONYMS

betrothal, espousal, matrimony, marriage, wedding

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Practice OWAD in a conversation:

"The NUPTUALS were held at a scenic hotel on the coast."