Banns
/bænz/
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Religious Context
Banns are traditionally associated with Christian churches and are part of religious marriage preparations. 
They attended the morning service to hear their banns announced.
Pro Tip 2/3Public Notice
Banns serve as a public declaration to allow objections, if any, before the marriage occurs. 
The banns were posted on the noticeboard for three consecutive weeks.
Pro Tip 3/3Pre-Wedding Ritual
Reading the banns is a step in the formal process leading up to a wedding; it's not the ceremony itself. 
Their wedding preparations began once their banns were read.