Espousal

n.	1.	The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony.
	2.	The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel. The open espousal of his cause. - Lord Orford.

Noun	1.	espousal - archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast Synonyms: bridal
	2.	espousal - the act of becoming betrothed or engaged Synonyms: betrothal
	3.	espousal - the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception; "its adoption by society"; "the proposal found wide acceptance" Synonyms: adoption, acceptance, acceptation

Gretna Green wedding, acceptance, adoption, advocacy, affiance, affiliation, aid, approval, banns, banns of matrimony, betrothal, betrothing, betrothment, bridal, bridal suite, bridechamber, chuppah, church wedding, civil ceremony, civil wedding, elopement, embracement, embracing, engagement, epithalamium, espousals, espousement, forced marriage, handfasting, honeymoon, hymen, hymeneal, hymeneal rites, marriage, marriage contract, mating, nuptial apartment, nuptial mass, nuptial song, nuptials, plighted faith, plighted troth, promotion, prothalamium, saffron veil, shotgun wedding, spousal, spousals, support, troth, union, wedding, wedding canopy, wedding song, wedding veil