Web sites

Ancient Roman Marriage: Part of a master's thesis by Jennifer Powers of Tufts University. Well-researched and detailed. Site also includes information on Greek weddings and chapters on the wedding-related poetry of Sappho and Catullus.

Patricia makes her first offering at her new husband's lararium (household altar).

Marriage in Ancient Rome: An overview with primary sources, a bibliography and links, plus a lovely design.

Matrimonium: This article from Smith's Dictionary of Roman Antiquities (1875) is not the latest scholarship, but is an interesting curiosity.

The Greek and Roman Wedding: Outline for a University of Saskatchewan class; scroll down for useful bibliography.

Review of Susan Treggiari's Roman Marriage: D. Potter provides an overview and some clues to recent scholarship in this field.

Peter and Jacqui's Roman wedding: Yes, we're not the only ones. This couple, from Australia, were married in 2002. Don't they look happy?

Nova Roma: International organization for those interested in the history, culture and religion of ancient Rome. Web site includes information on Roman ethics, worship, politics, cooking, games and more.

Latin-English Dictionary:: Good for quick translations of brief phrases.

RomanSites: Bill Thayer's outstanding compendium of Roman-related information on the Web.

Imperium Ancient Arts: Seller of ancient artifacts, including wearable Roman rings and necklaces.

Books

A few suggested titles, including some we used in researching this wedding ceremony:
The World of Roman Costume, Judith Sebesta and Larissa Bonfante, eds. A valuable resource.
Life in Ancient Rome, F.R. Cowell.
Roman Marriage, Susan Treggiari. Too expensive to buy, but get it from your local college library - this is a great resource.
The World of Rome, Michael Grant.
Dictionary of Roman Religion, Adkins & Adkins. Worth the price if you're interested in Roman religion.
Her Share of the Blessings: Women's Religions in the Greco-Roman World, Ross Shepard Kraemer.
As the Romans Did, Jo-Ann Shelton.

Fiction: Of course historical novels may contain some inaccuracies, but heck, so do most straight histories. Good, well-researched fiction can help put a human face on a distant past, using the power of writing to bring the ancient world alive.

Colleen McCullough (yep, the romance writer who wrote "The Thorn Birds") has written a well-regarded series of novels based on the outline of Roman history, beginning with The First Man in Rome. Lindsey Davis' mysteries feature a Roman detective named Marcus Didius Falco (romantics should also read Course of Honor by Davis). Steven Saylor also writes Roman-themed mysteries.

A brief overview of Roman wedding customs and the role of marriage in Roman society.

One couple's Roman wedding. Photos, ceremony, program and music.

Some ideas and thoughts for reconstructing a Roman wedding.

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