【问】 Why didn’t you invite me to your marriage?《朗文英文正误词典》认为上面的句子用

marriage是错误的，应改为wedding，并解释说：“marriage是指宗教或法律观点来看的婚姻，如：Her parents are against the marriage.(她父母反对这个婚姻。)”我的问题是：

marriage是不是也可以表示婚礼?

【答】 marriage除用以表达“婚姻”这一基本概念之外，也可以表示“婚礼”(不管是否伴有隆重的庆典)。

1. Many were present at their marriage.

很多人出席了他们的婚礼。

2. There were five marriages here last week.

上星期这里举行了五个婚礼。

3. I shall attend your marriage.(Forster)

我应该参加你的婚礼。

4. The marriage will take place in June.(FWF)

婚礼订于六月举行。

但是，wedding强调婚礼的仪式和庆典，带有感情色彩：

1. A golden wedding is the fiftieth anniversary of a marriage. (Thorndike)

金婚是第五十个结婚纪念日。

2. It was a beautiful wedding.

这是一次精彩的婚礼。

3. Over a hundred invitations to the wedding were sent out.

已发出了100多张参加婚礼的请柬。

4. The wedding will take place on Saturday.(Chambers)

婚礼订于星期六举行。