love marriage
n. C / Un. a marriage where the two people choose to marry each other because they are in love. This is often talked about in cultures where arranged marriages are common.
n. a marital union based primarily on the mutual romantic affection and choice of the couple, rather than being organized by parents or third parties.
They had a love marriage despite their family's initial disapproval.
The documentary explores the shift in social norms as more young people in the region choose a love marriage over an arranged one.
The sociological study compares the long-term stability of a love marriage against those traditionally brokered by families, finding that social support remains a critical factor in both.
Commonly used in South Asian and Middle Eastern contexts to distinguish from 'arranged marriage'.