The period of engagement is the time between the marriage [S01] ________ and the wedding ceremony. Two people agree to marry when they decide to spend their lives together. The man usually gives the woman a diamond [S02] _________________ ring. That tradition is said to have started when an Austrian man gave a diamond ring to the woman he wanted to marry. The diamond [S03] _________________ beauty. He placed it on the third finger of her left hand. He chose that finger because it was thought that the blood vessel in that finger went directly to the heart. Today we know that this is not true, yet the [S04] ________ continues. Americans [S05] _____________ are engaged for a period of about one year, if they are planning a wedding ceremony and a party. During this time, friends of the bride may hold a party at which women friends and family members give the bride [S06] ____ that she will need as a wife. These could include cooking [S07] _________ or new clothing. Friends of the man who is getting married may have a bachelor party for him. This usually takes place the night before the [S08] _______. Only men are invited to the bachelor party. During the marriage ceremony, [S09]________________________________________________________________________________________________________. The wife often wears both the wedding ring and the engagement ring on the same finger. The husband wears his ring on the third finger of his left hand. Many people say [S10] ______________________________________ ___________________________________. But the main purpose is to let enough time pass so the two people are sure that they want to marry each other. [S11] ___________________ ________________________________________________________________________________. They also return any wedding gifts they have received.