Deborah Chan
Amish weddings are steeped in tradition and differ significantly from typical English ceremonies. While dating customs and wedding traditions vary across Amish communities, marriage is a lifelong commitment and a cornerstone of Amish life. Amish weddings are held during a worship service, presided over by a bishop, and followed by a celebratory feast. The Amish wedding season typically runs from late fall to early spring, after the harvest and before harsh winter weather sets in. The weddings usually take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, leaving the surrounding days for preparation and cleanup, as working on Sundays is considered sacrilegious.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding season | October to March in Lancaster County, PA; November to December in other places |
| Wedding day | Tuesday or Thursday |
| Wedding attire | Brides: long-sleeved dresses in purple or blue, white aprons, capes, black prayer coverings, and black high-topped shoes; Grooms: black suits, bow ties, and black hats with a three-and-a-half-inch brim |
| Wedding party attire | Bridesmaids/Attendants: dresses in the same color as the bride, capes, and aprons; Groomsmen: black suits, white shirts, and bow ties |
| Wedding location | Bride's family house or a temporary structure nearby |
| Guest list | 200-600 people, including relatives, friends, and coworkers |
| Food | Fried or broasted chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed celery, and other vegetables |
| Vows | Exchanged before the Bishop; the couple answers a series of questions with "Yes" |
| Photography | Not allowed |
| Kiss at the altar | Not customary |
| Dancing | Not customary |
| Engagement announcement | Kept private until a few weeks or months before the wedding |
| Age of marriage | Between 18 and 25 years old |
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What You'll Learn
- Amish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesdays or Thursdays in the fall
- Amish brides typically make their own wedding dresses
- Amish couples keep their engagement a secret until just a few weeks before the wedding
- Amish weddings are held during a service similar to the typical Amish worship service
- Amish weddings are a whole-day affair, with the ceremony followed by a large meal
Amish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesdays or Thursdays in the fall
The Amish wedding season in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, begins in October and ends in March, when farm work is less demanding. During this period, weddings are typically held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays reserved for preparation and cleanup. Saturdays are avoided to prevent work or cleanup from spilling over into Sundays.
The Amish wedding ceremony is conducted similarly to their regular church service, presided over by the Bishop and ministers. The couple exchanges vows before the Bishop, who asks them questions to which they respond with "Yes." The ceremony is followed by a feast, with the meal typically including fried or roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and other vegetables. The meal is served in shifts, with the newlyweds and their families eating first.
The Amish wedding day begins early, with chores and last-minute preparations. Benches are set up for the guests to sit on during the ceremony, and these benches are later turned into tables for the meal. The wedding party, including the bride and groom, sits at a special table in a corner. The bride's family home may not be large enough to accommodate all the guests, so the wedding may be held at a neighbour's place or a temporary structure may be built.
Amish weddings are a joyous occasion, with the community coming together to celebrate the union of the couple. The focus is on family and fellowship, with no dancing, photography, or kissing at the altar. Instead, the afternoon is filled with singing, games, and socializing.
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Amish brides typically make their own wedding dresses
Amish weddings are quite different from typical "English" ceremonies. Amish brides usually make their own wedding dresses, which are typically a shade of blue or purple, with blue being the more common colour worn. Navy blue, sky blue, and shades of purple are the most popular colours chosen by Amish brides. The dress is always new and is of plain cut, mid-calf length, and unadorned, with no fancy trim or lace and no train. The bride also wears a cape and an apron over her dress. Instead of a veil, she wears a black prayer covering to differentiate it from the white cap she wears daily. The bride must also wear black high-topped shoes.
The wedding ceremony starts around 8:30 in the morning and lasts 3-3.5 hours. After a sermon, the bishop takes the couple aside while the congregation sings songs and gives them advice, private instruction, and his blessing. Afterward, the bride and groom give their vows at the front of the church. The typical Amish wedding day begins at 4 a.m., leaving time for the cows to be milked and other daily chores to be completed before the wedding guests arrive. Helpers arrive by 6:30 a.m., and by 7 a.m., the wedding party has usually eaten breakfast and changed into their wedding clothes. The ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m., with the congregation singing hymns while the minister counsels the couple in another part of the house.
Amish brides also often make the dresses of her bridesmaids, known as "newehockers" (Pennsylvania Dutch for "sidesitters"). The bride chooses the colour of the dresses, and the wedding party wears the same colour. The young men of the wedding party also wear matching shirts, and the servers assisting at the meal wear a special colour chosen by the bride. The meal usually serves 200-600 people, and preparation requires a lot of help from the community. The typical Amish wedding meal includes fried or broasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy, and other vegetables. After the meal, the bride and groom visit the guests with baskets of candy to greet them personally.
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Amish couples keep their engagement a secret until just a few weeks before the wedding
Amish weddings are steeped in tradition and ritual, and the lead-up to the wedding is no exception. Dating customs and wedding traditions vary across Amish communities, but one common thread is the secrecy surrounding a couple's engagement. Amish couples typically keep their engagement a secret until just a few weeks before the wedding, sometimes even hiding it from their families.
The Amish place great importance on family, and choosing a spouse is a significant decision. Boys and girls typically begin their search for a partner around the age of sixteen, and most couples marry between eighteen and twenty-two. Courtship is a secretive affair, and dating often takes place at social functions such as church gatherings or home visits. Sunday night singing is a popular activity, where young Amish men and women sing hymns and socialise.
Once a couple decides to marry, they keep their intentions private. In some cases, they might wait until July or August to share the news with their parents, who then keep the engagement secret until an October church service. In other instances, the engagement may be revealed even later, with only a month or two's notice before the wedding. This secrecy may be due in part to the practicalities of wedding preparations, as families require ample time to prepare the feast and accommodate the large number of guests, typically ranging from 200 to 600 people.
The Amish wedding season traditionally falls between October and March in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, when farm work is less demanding. Weddings are usually held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in November and December, after the harvest is complete. The wedding ceremony is conducted similarly to a typical Amish worship service, presided over by the Bishop and ministers. The couple exchanges vows before the congregation, followed by a celebratory meal and fellowship.
Amish weddings are a unique and joyous occasion, marked by their distinct traditions and the strong sense of community within the Amish faith.
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Amish weddings are held during a service similar to the typical Amish worship service
Amish weddings are steeped in tradition and are markedly different from typical "English" ceremonies. Amish weddings are held during a service similar to a typical Amish worship service, with the Bishop and ministers presiding. The weddings are usually held in the bride's family home, with anywhere from 200 to 600 guests in attendance. The Amish wedding season in Lancaster County, PA, begins in October and ends in March, as farm work is less demanding during these months. Weddings typically take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays reserved for preparation and clean-up. Saturdays are considered sacrilegious, as work or clean-up would fall on the Sunday.
The Amish wedding ceremony itself is quite different from most traditional weddings. It is a solemn affair, lasting around three hours, with no wedding pictures, kissing at the altar, or dancing. The ceremony includes a sermon, and at the end, the couple stands before the Bishop to exchange vows. The vows are similar to standard English wedding vows, with the Bishop asking questions to which the couple responds with "Yes".
The Amish consider marriage a lifelong commitment, and divorce is not an option. The wedding ceremony is conducted in the morning, usually starting around 8:00 or 8:30 am, as there are many chores to be done beforehand. The bride's dress is typically blue or purple, and she wears a black prayer covering instead of a veil. The groom and his attendants wear black suits and bow ties, a departure from their usual attire.
After the ceremony, the celebration continues with a large meal, known as the reception. The meal usually includes fried or roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and other vegetables. The meal is followed by an afternoon of socializing, singing, and games, with volleyball being a popular choice. The Amish wedding night is spent in the bride's parents' home, and the couple assists with clean-up the next day. The newlyweds then spend their honeymoon visiting relatives.
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Amish weddings are a whole-day affair, with the ceremony followed by a large meal
Amish weddings are a joyous occasion, but they are quite different from typical "English" ceremonies. The Amish wedding season in Lancaster County, PA, begins in October and ends in March, as farm work is scarce during these months. The wedding day itself is a whole-day affair, with the ceremony followed by a large meal. The day starts early, at around 4 am, as there are many chores to be done and last-minute preparations to be made before the guests arrive. The ceremony usually begins around 8:30 am and lasts for 3 to 3.5 hours. It is conducted similarly to a regular Amish worship service, with the couple taking their vows before the church, followed by a sermon and the bishop's blessing. After the ceremony, the guests head back to the bride's family home for the wedding feast.
The guest list for Amish weddings is extensive, typically ranging from 200 to 600 people, including relatives, friends, and coworkers. The size of the gathering often requires setting up a temporary structure or even holding the wedding at a neighbour's place. The meal is a community effort, with many hands coming together to prepare and cook the food. The typical fare includes fried or roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and other vegetables. The meal is served in shifts, with the adults eating first, followed by the youth. The newlyweds and their families are given priority.
The wedding meal is a time for fellowship and socialising. In some groups, the bride and groom visit the guests with baskets of candy, allowing them to greet everyone personally. The afternoon is filled with singing, games, and volleyball, a popular sport among the Amish. The Amish wedding night is usually spent in the bride's parents' home, as the couple assists with the cleanup the following day. The bride's wedding dress becomes her regular Sunday church attire, and she will also be buried in the same dress upon her death.
The Amish consider marriage a lifelong commitment, and it is a crucial step towards adulthood in their community. Courtship and engagements are generally kept private, with the couple sharing the news with their parents only a few months before the wedding. The wedding date is then announced in the October church service. The Amish wedding traditions vary across communities, but they all share the common thread of family and community coming together to celebrate the union of two people.
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Frequently asked questions
Amish weddings are not arranged, but they are quite different from typical "English" ceremonies. Amish dating customs vary from community to community. Boys and girls typically begin their search for a spouse around the age of 16, and most Amish couples marry between the ages of 18 and 25. Courtship is generally kept secret, even from their families, and engagements are usually not announced until a few weeks or months before the wedding.
Amish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesdays or Thursdays in the late fall, after the harvest. The wedding ceremony is similar to a typical Amish worship service, presided over by the Bishop and ministers. The couple exchanges vows before the church, and the celebration continues with a large meal and socializing, singing, and games. The bride typically wears a new dress in shades of blue or purple, which she makes herself, and this dress becomes her regular Sunday church attire after the wedding. The groom and his attendants wear black suits and bow ties.
Family is a core element in the Amish community, and choosing a spouse is a crucial decision. The wedding is usually held at the bride's family home, and the bride's family is responsible for preparing the meal, which can serve up to 600 people. The wedding party, including the bride and groom, sits at a special table, and the bride often seats single guests together to encourage courtship. The wedding night is spent at the bride's parents' home, and the couple helps with the cleanup the next day.
Amish weddings do not include dancing, kissing at the altar, or wedding photography. The ceremony includes a sermon, and the couple exchanges vows before the Bishop. The focus is on the religious aspect, with the celebration centered around fellowship and food. The meal is typically a traditional Amish fare, including chicken and mashed potatoes.
