Franklin Dean
Pregnancy during bridal periods has been a common phenomenon throughout history. In the 18th century, the rate of premarital pregnancies rose from a quarter to two-fifths of all weddings, with couples going on to have more children closer together. This trend continued into the 19th century, with almost 40% of brides pregnant in 1850, and a 1963 study finding 50% of brides in Denmark were pregnant. In the 20th century, up to 90% of brides in some areas of the Netherlands were pregnant, and in the late 1990s, a quarter of Japanese brides were pregnant, leading to the slang term oops-we-did-it-marriage. Today, couples may choose to simplify their wedding or elope if the bride is pregnant, and there is advice available for pregnant brides to manage their health and energy levels on their wedding day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rate of bridal pregnancy in the 17th century | One-fifth |
| Rate of bridal pregnancy in the 18th century | Two-fifths |
| Rate of bridal pregnancy in the UK in 1850 | 40% |
| Rate of bridal pregnancy in Denmark in 1963 | 50% |
| Rate of bridal pregnancy in the Netherlands in the early 1960s | 25% |
| Highest rate of bridal pregnancy in the Netherlands in the early 1960s | 90% |
| Rate of bridal pregnancy in Japan | 25% |
| Common reasons for bridal pregnancy | Social stigma, honour, legitimacy of the child, financial reasons |
| Planning a wedding when the bride is pregnant | Postponement, reduced guest list, elopement, adjustments to the wedding dress, alcohol-free alternatives |
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What You'll Learn
Shotgun weddings
The phrase “shotgun wedding” comes from the idea that the relatives of a pregnant bride would threaten the groom with a shotgun to ensure he marries the woman. The wedding is hastily arranged, often at the insistence of the couple's families. The purpose of such a wedding is to restore the honour of the mother, to gain recourse from the man for the act of impregnation, and to ensure that the child is raised by both parents.
In the past, when social stigma was attached to pregnancy out of wedlock, shotgun weddings were a common occurrence. In Belgium and the Netherlands, during the first half of the 20th century, about a quarter of all marriages were shotgun weddings. In some areas, up to 90% of brides were pregnant. Similarly, in Japan, a quarter of brides are pregnant at the time of their wedding, and in China, it is becoming increasingly common for couples to marry due to premarital conception.
In rural England, before 1700, it was common for brides to be pregnant, with about one-fifth of weddings taking place with the couple's first child already conceived. The rate of premarital pregnancies rose in the 18th century, with two-fifths of weddings involving pregnant brides. In the United Kingdom, in 1850, almost 40% of brides were pregnant, and in Denmark, a 1963 study found that 50% of brides were pregnant.
Over time, as cultural norms and attitudes towards sex, relationships, and parenting became more progressive, the necessity and frequency of shotgun weddings declined. The stigma associated with out-of-wedlock births has lessened, and the number of such births has increased, making the concept of a shotgun wedding less relevant. Today, the phrase "shotgun wedding" may simply refer to a wedding that happens quickly after a couple meets or begins dating.
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Knobstick weddings
In the past, it was quite common for brides to be pregnant at their wedding. Parish records from before 1700 indicate that about one-sixth of brides were pregnant at marriage, and this number rose to one-third in the following centuries. In the 18th century, the rate of premarital pregnancies rose from a quarter to two-fifths.
A knobstick wedding is a type of forced marriage that was prevalent in the United Kingdom in the 18th century. It refers to the forced marriage of a pregnant single woman to the man known or believed to be the father. The term "knobstick" comes from the staves of office carried by church wardens, who were present to ensure that the ceremony took place. The primary motivation for these arrangements was financial. Local parishes were required to provide relief for single mothers, so local authorities encouraged women to marry the presumed father to reduce their spending. After the Bastardy Act of 1733, the financial responsibility shifted to the father, providing further incentive for parishes to arrange marriages. While knobstick weddings are no longer common, the term shotgun wedding is sometimes used to describe a similar concept, in which a pregnant bride's relatives pressure a reluctant groom to marry with the threat of violence.
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Bridal pregnancy in rural England
Bridal pregnancy, also known as a shotgun wedding, was a common occurrence in rural England, especially in earlier centuries. The phrase "shotgun wedding" comes from the figurative idea that the relatives of the pregnant bride would threaten the groom with a shotgun to ensure he marries the woman. This was done to restore honour to the pregnant woman and to ensure that the child was raised by both parents.
In rural England, parish registers indicate that more than one-sixth of brides were pregnant at the time of their marriage, with the proportion possibly reaching one-third when accounting for delayed baptisms, abortions, and stillbirths that went unrecorded. This phenomenon was particularly prevalent in the northern counties of England.
During the 18th century, the rate of premarital pregnancies increased, rising from about a quarter to two-fifths of all weddings involving pregnant brides. This was a significant shift from the 17th century, where one-fifth of weddings in some parishes involved couples expecting their first child. However, it's important to note that registration laws and record-keeping practices during these earlier periods may have impacted the accuracy of these statistics.
The occurrence of bridal pregnancies varied across different regions and time periods. For example, in the mid-19th century, the figures for prenuptial pregnancy in Colyton, a rural area in Devonshire, are believed to be underestimated due to the lack of detailed records. In contrast, other areas like the Netherlands and Belgium experienced high rates of "moetjes," or marriages resulting from unintended pregnancies, during the first half of the 20th century.
While bridal pregnancy was a common occurrence in rural England, it is important to note that societal attitudes and norms around premarital sex varied. In literature such as "Pride and Prejudice," implied sexual contact before marriage is portrayed as a scandal, suggesting that while bridal pregnancies happened, there were still social expectations and class divisions that influenced perceptions of premarital intimacy.
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Bridal pregnancy rates in the Netherlands
During the period between 1870 and 1950, bridal pregnancy rates fluctuated. There was a peak in the years 1870-1874, followed by a sustained high level until 1925. After 1925, the rate of bridal pregnancies declined, possibly due to the increased use of contraceptives.
The age difference between pregnant and non-pregnant brides during this time period was limited to less than a year, suggesting that bridal pregnancies occurred at different stages of courtship and were not confined to the final stage before marriage. However, when the child was born soon after the wedding, the age difference was larger, with the bride and groom being on average three years younger.
In more recent times, the average age of Dutch women at first childbirth has been rising. In 1970, the mean age was 24.3 years, and it increased year after year, reaching 29.1 years in 2000 and 30.3 years in 2021. This trend is attributed to a decrease in the likelihood of having a first child before the age of 25 and a slight increase in the probability after the age of 35.
While the rate of bridal pregnancies in the Netherlands has likely decreased in recent decades due to changing social norms and increased access to contraception, there is limited recent data available to directly compare with the rates from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
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Planning a wedding when pregnant
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and finding out you're pregnant during this time can feel overwhelming. However, it is completely up to you whether you decide to pause your wedding plans or continue as planned. With some adjustments and smart planning, you can have your dream wedding while pregnant.
When to Get Married
The first thing to consider is when your wedding will take place in relation to your due date. If you are due before your wedding, you may want to move the date, especially if you are planning more than a simple ceremony. You will need to decide if your timeline will still work post-baby and if your budget needs adjusting. On the other hand, if you are due after your wedding, you may only need to make a few adjustments, such as tailoring your wedding dress and finding alcohol-free alternatives for the hen party and toasts. The second trimester is often considered the best time for pregnant brides to marry, as morning sickness typically subsides, and you may have more energy to celebrate.
Adjusting Your Plans
If you decide to change your plans, it is important to act quickly on any bookings you have already made. Wedding suppliers are usually flexible once you are upfront and honest about your situation. You may need to alter your honeymoon destination due to health concerns, such as the Zika virus. Many couples opt for a mini-moon close to home or postpone their honeymoon until after the baby is born.
Dress and Comfort
You may need to adjust your wedding dress, especially if you plan to keep your pregnancy a secret. Bumps tend to start showing between 12 and 16 weeks, so you may want to marry in the first trimester. Consider your comfort on the day, as you may tire easily during the third trimester. You can plan a morning ceremony with a sit-down lunch and an early evening cake-cutting and first dance, allowing you to head off before it gets too late.
Budget
Pregnancy and weddings can both be expensive, so you may need to reassess your budget and priorities. You might need to allot money elsewhere and adjust your wedding plans accordingly.
Seeking Help
Consider hiring a wedding planner to help you navigate and plan for changes. The earlier you tell them about your pregnancy, the better they can assist you.
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Frequently asked questions
The rate of premarital pregnancies has varied across time and geography. In the 17th century, about one-fifth of weddings in English parishes were estimated to have occurred with the couple's first child already conceived. In the 18th century, this rate rose to two-fifths. In 1850, almost 40% of brides in the United Kingdom were pregnant, and in Denmark in 1963, this figure was 50%. In the early 1960s, about a quarter of marriages in the Netherlands were shotgun weddings, but in some areas, this rate was as high as 90%. In Japan, a quarter of brides are pregnant at the time of their wedding.
The variation in rates can be attributed to various social, cultural, and economic factors. For example, the increased use of contraceptives in the 20th century may have contributed to the decline in bridal pregnancies in the Netherlands during that period. Additionally, the sexual revolution beginning in the 1960s separated the concepts of love, sexuality, procreation, and marriage in the social consciousness, influencing sexual practices and attitudes toward premarital pregnancies.
Shotgun weddings or knobstick weddings refer to weddings arranged due to premarital pregnancies. The term "shotgun wedding" comes from the figurative idea of the pregnant bride's relatives coercing the groom with a shotgun to ensure he marries the woman. In the UK in the 18th century, knobstick weddings were prevalent, with church wardens ensuring the presence and involvement of the presumed father. In Japan, the term "dekichatta kekkon" or "oops-we-did-it-marriage" refers to unintended pregnancies leading to marriage.
Couples may choose to simplify their wedding plans or elope, creating an intimate and meaningful experience. They may also postpone the wedding, especially if the due date is close to the original wedding date, to avoid potential health complications and the possibility of going into labor at the wedding. Adjustments to the wedding dress, menu, and alcohol-free alternatives for the hen party and toasts may also be considered.
It is important for the pregnant bride to stay well-nourished and hydrated. Having a member of the bridal party assigned to provide snacks like dried fruit and nuts can be helpful. Comparison with other pregnant individuals or online depictions of pregnant brides should be avoided, as every experience is unique, and listening to one's body and prioritizing physical and mental health are crucial.
