Junior Rasmussen
Amish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesdays or Thursdays in late fall after the harvest, usually in November or December. The wedding day typically begins at 4 am, with the cows to be milked and other chores to be done before the ceremony. The ceremony itself is held in the morning, with the wedding party usually having breakfast and getting into their wedding clothes by 7 am. The ceremony is followed by a feast, with the meal typically served in shifts due to the large number of guests. The wedding celebrations last most of the day, with the bride and groom sitting down to eat with the guests at 7 pm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time of Day | Amish weddings are held from 9 am to 9 pm. The day begins with a church service at a neighbour's house within walking distance of the couple's home. The service is 3 hours long. |
| Day of the Week | Amish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are used for preparation and clean-up. Saturdays are considered sacrilegious as clean-up would fall on a Sunday. |
| Time of Year | Amish weddings are traditionally held in the late fall, after the harvest, in November or December. In larger communities, weddings may also be held in spring and summer. |
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What You'll Learn
Amish weddings are traditionally held in the morning
The Amish wedding day is a busy one, with a lot of work going into the preparations. The bride's family's home may be too small to accommodate all the guests, so the wedding may be held at a neighbour's house within walking distance. Tables are set up in the house, and a cooking tent may be erected outside to accommodate the portable stoves and food preparation areas needed for such a large gathering. The women serve the meal while the men set up the tables.
The wedding ceremony is similar to a typical Amish worship service, presided over by the Bishop and ministers. The couple takes their vows before the church, and the ceremony includes testimonies and a sermon, but no rings or other jewellery. The bride's dress is typically new and may be blue, purple, or black with a white cape and apron. The groom wears a black suit, and his attendants wear matching shirts and bow ties.
After the ceremony, the bride and groom head back to the kitchen to begin the wedding feast. The wedding party sits at a table in a corner, known as the "Eck", and the bride often seats single guests together in an effort to encourage matchmaking. The meal usually includes fried or grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed celery, coleslaw, applesauce, pies, and other traditional Amish dishes. The bride and groom may greet their guests personally by visiting them with baskets of candy to hand out as favours.
The wedding celebrations last most of the day, from 9 am to 9 pm. The couple spends the night at the bride's parents' home, as they will need to assist with the cleanup the following day. The day after the wedding is spent helping with the cleanup, and the newlyweds then begin their honeymoon, visiting relatives to collect their wedding gifts.
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The ceremony is followed by a feast
Amish weddings are traditionally held in the morning, with the day beginning as early as 4 am. This is because there are many chores to be done, and last-minute preparations to take care of before the wedding guests arrive. Helpers arrive by 6:30 am, and by 7 am, the wedding party has usually eaten breakfast and changed into their wedding attire. The ceremony itself is held at 9 am at the bride's home, followed by a feast.
The wedding meal is a community effort, with women serving the food while the men set up the tables. The meal typically serves 200-600 persons, and it can take two servings to feed everyone. The meal usually includes fried or grilled chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, creamed celery, coleslaw, applesauce, dinner rolls, pears, doughnuts, and pies. There are also usually several wedding cakes. The "Eck", or head table, is reserved for the bride and groom and their attendants, who sit near the "Eck" during the meal. The bride and groom may also visit the guests with baskets of candy as favours, giving them a chance to greet everyone.
After the meal, the gifts are opened, and the guests begin to leave. There is another, smaller evening meal, and in some groups, the parents give the newlyweds their first bedroom suite, handmade by the family or a craftsman in the community. The couple then spends the night at the bride's parents' home, as they will need to help with the cleanup the following day. The honeymoon period is spent visiting relatives to collect their wedding gifts, which are typically practical items such as dishware, cookware, canned food, tools, and household items.
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The couple sits at the Eck
Amish weddings are traditionally held in the morning, with the day beginning as early as 4 am, as there are many chores to be done and last-minute preparations to take care of before the wedding guests arrive. Helpers arrive by 6:30 am, and by 7 am, the wedding party has usually eaten breakfast and changed into their wedding clothes.
The wedding ceremony is held at the bride's home, with the couple taking their vows before the church. The Bishop and ministers preside over the ceremony, which consists of testimonies and a sermon. There is no exchange of rings or other jewellery, and the bride typically wears a new dress in a shade of blue or purple, which she may have made herself. The groom wears a black suit and a bow tie.
The wedding meal is a highlight of the celebration, with the bride and groom sitting at the "Eck", a special table reserved for them. The "Eck" receives more special food, such as steaks and some of the couple's favourite dishes. The wedding party sits near the "Eck" and the bride may seat single guests above the age of 16 with another single guest of the opposite gender, in an effort to encourage mingling. The meal is typically served by women from the community, and can include fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed celery, coleslaw, applesauce, pies, and doughnuts. There are usually several wedding cakes, as the guest list can number up to 400 people.
After the meal, the bride and groom may visit the guests with baskets of candy, before opening their gifts. The gifts are practical items such as dishware, cookware, canned food, tools, and household items. The celebration continues until 9 pm, after which the couple spends the night at the bride's parents' home, as they will need to assist with the cleanup the following day.
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The bride's dress is usually blue or purple
Amish weddings are traditionally held in the morning, with the ceremony starting around 8:30 am and lasting 3 to 3.5 hours. The bride's dress is usually blue or purple, with blue being the more common colour worn. Amish brides typically make their own wedding dresses, which are plain cut, mid-calf length, and unadorned, without any fancy trim or lace. The style and colour of the bride's dress may vary depending on the specific Amish community and its traditions.
In some communities, women are not allowed to wear anything lighter than navy, but purples and reds are acceptable as long as they are not too bright. Dark purple, such as burgundy, is permitted in certain communities. Blue is a popular colour among Amish women, especially in very conservative communities, and is considered one of the acceptable colours for a bridal gown. Navy blue, sky blue, and shades of purple are the most popular colours chosen by Amish brides.
The bride's wedding dress holds significance beyond the wedding day. After the wedding, the dress becomes the bride's typical Sunday church attire. It is also the dress that the woman will be buried in when she dies. The practicality of the Amish bride's dress allows it to serve her for more than just the wedding day.
Amish weddings are traditionally held in the fall, usually on Tuesdays or Thursdays, after the harvest is completed. The wedding day begins early, with helpers arriving by 6:30 am to take care of last-minute details. By 7:00 am, the wedding party has usually finished breakfast and changed into their wedding clothes, ready to greet the guests. The ceremony is similar to a typical Amish worship service, presided over by the Bishop and ministers. After the ceremony, the celebration continues with a feast, followed by an evening meal later in the day.
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The wedding day is a full day of celebration
The wedding meal is a grand affair, with women serving the food while the men set up the tables. The meal is typically Amish fare, including fried or grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and other vegetables. There are usually several cakes, and the bride and groom may visit the guests with baskets of candy as favours. After the meal, the gifts are opened, and the guests begin to leave. The evening meal is a more intimate affair, with a smaller crowd. The bride and groom are then given their first bedroom suite, handmade by the family or a craftsman in the community.
The day after the wedding, the couple helps with the cleanup and spends the night at the bride's parents' home. The honeymoon period is spent visiting relatives and collecting wedding gifts, which are usually practical items to help the couple start their new life together. The couple lives with the bride's parents until they can set up their own home in the spring.
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Frequently asked questions
Amish weddings typically start at 8:00 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. and last for around three to four hours. However, preparations begin much earlier, with the day starting at 4:00 a.m. with morning chores.
Amish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the fall, after the harvest is complete. This timing allows for a full day of preparation and a full day of cleanup, as it would be considered sacrilegious to work on Sundays.
Amish weddings are a full-day affair, with the ceremony lasting until the early afternoon and guests staying for two meals: supper and dinner. The celebration often concludes late at night.
After the ceremony, the wedding party and guests head back to the bride's family home for the reception. The reception includes a large meal, socialising, singing, and games.
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