Definition of the word first night

The phrase "first night" refers to the first occasion when a newlywed couple spends the night together as a married couple. The expression has its roots in traditional wedding ceremonies that involved separate receptions for the bride and groom's families. The bride would spend the night in her parents' home, and her husband-to-be would return to his family's residence. The term "first night" emerged as a way to describe the inaugural cohabitation of the newlyweds on their wedding night. While modern wedding customs have evolved, the term "first night" continues to be in common usage, particularly in certain parts of the world, including some European and Indian communities. It reflects the cultural importance of the traditional role of marriage as a unifying step towards family formation and continuity.