Courtship is the traditional dating period before engagement and marriage (or long term commitment if marriage is not allowed). It is an alternative to arranged marriages in which the couple or group doesnt meet before the wedding. Courtship varies both by time period and by region of the world.

What is the difference between courtship and marriage?

As nouns the difference between marriage and courtship is that marriage is the state of being married while courtship is the act of paying court, with the intent to solicit a favor.

Is dating and courtship the same?

Courtship is about getting to know each other and developing a deep relationship before getting married whereas dating is mostly physical with no strings attached and no emotional intimacy.