The biblical directive ‘it is not good for man to be alone’ (Genesis 2:18) highlights the fact that man has always been considered a social being, preferring companionship over loneliness). In general family elders chose partners for their children though the Bible contains romantic stories as well:
The sages of the talmudic period refined an ancient practice by establishing a cultural ritual to define a couple's relationship. Thus began the custom of the marriage ceremony including the transfer of a ring and the drafting of a financial agreement. The performance the ceremony under a canopy or prayer shawl also dates back to those times. The Talmud testifies to dances before the bride and the throwing of almonds and barley on the new couple.
Until the Middle Ages there was a gap between the initial ceremony (kiddushin) and the wedding (nissuin): The kiddushin was the event at which the couple became betrothed and assumed mutual obligations (ketubah and t'naim). During the following year the bride would assemble her dowry. At the nissuin, a number of blessings were recited (sheva brachot) and then the couple would begin to establish its own home. The accepted custom nowadays is that both ceremonies take place on the same day under the canopy (chuppah).