Legal Definitions - affiance

Affiance refers to the formal act of promising to marry someone. It signifies a mutual pledge of faith and commitment to enter into marriage, often marked by an engagement.

• Example 1: A Public Engagement Announcement

  After several years of dating, Liam proposed to Chloe, and she accepted. They then hosted a small gathering for their families and close friends to officially announce their engagement, exchanging rings as a symbol of their future union. This public declaration and the exchange of rings represent their affiance, the formal promise they have made to each other to wed.

• Example 2: A Breach of Promise to Marry (Historical Context)

  In the early 20th century, a gentleman named Mr. Davies formally promised to marry Ms. Eleanor Vance. Relying on this promise, Ms. Vance resigned from her teaching position and began making extensive preparations for the wedding. When Mr. Davies unexpectedly broke off the engagement without a valid reason, Ms. Vance could have pursued a legal claim for "breach of promise to marry." The initial formal promise made by Mr. Davies constituted the affiance, which, when broken, could have had legal consequences.

• Example 3: A Familial Agreement for Future Marriage

  In certain cultural traditions, families may formally agree upon the future marriage of their children when they are still young, sometimes even before the children have met. This agreement, often solidified through a ceremony or a formal exchange between the families, establishes the affiance between the prospective bride and groom. It creates a binding commitment for their future union, even if the actual wedding is many years away.