Rhiannon Hendricks
Amish weddings are quite different from typical English ceremonies. They are less flashy, with no photographers, wedding dance, or kiss at the altar. Instead, the main events are a sermon and a feast, with lots of fellowshipping. Amish wedding dresses are often blue, a colour that is popular among Amish women, especially in very conservative communities. In some communities, brides wear black dresses with a white cape and apron, while in others, they wear blue dresses with a white cape and apron.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress colour | Blue |
| Wedding dress style | Plain, no veil, black prayer covering instead of a white cap, black high-topped shoes |
| Wedding season | Towards the end of the year, after the harvest season |
| Wedding day | Tuesdays or Thursdays |
| Wedding location | Bride's home |
| Wedding guests | 200-400 relatives, friends, and church members |
| Wedding attire | Groom and his attendants wear black suits and coats with black vests and white shirts, bow ties, and black hats with a brim no longer than 3.5 inches |
| Wedding customs | No photographers, no wedding dance, no kiss at the altar, sermon, and a big feast |
| Wedding rings | None, a white bonnet symbolises marriage |
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What You'll Learn
Blue is a popular colour for Amish women's dresses
The Amish value tradition and community, and this is reflected in their clothing choices. While there is some variation among different Amish communities, the colour blue is favoured by many Amish women. Blue offers a range of shades, from bright royal blue to turquoise, providing a pop of colour while still adhering to the conservative dress code.
In Amish communities, clothing is often handmade, and the variety of blue dyes available may contribute to its popularity. Additionally, blue is a colour that is well-suited to natural dyes, which aligns with the Amish commitment to simplicity and self-sufficiency. The Amish also value practicality, and blue clothing is less likely to show dirt and stains compared to lighter colours.
The choice of blue over other colours also has symbolic meaning for the Amish. In some communities, it is believed that wearing blue keeps evil spirits away, bringing good luck and protection. This belief may stem from the rarity of the colour in nature, making blue seem special and endowed with mystical properties.
While blue is a popular choice for Amish women's dresses, it is important to note that there is no single "Amish colour" and that clothing choices can vary across communities. Tradition, practicality, and symbolism all play a role in shaping the dress code within Amish communities, contributing to the popularity of blue among Amish women.
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Amish wedding dresses are made by the bride or her mother
Amish weddings are a special experience with an intimate and meaningful celebration that emphasizes family and tradition. The wedding ceremony, like an Amish church service, usually takes place in a family home, with the couple exchanging vows in front of the congregation after receiving counsel from the bishop. The bride's dress is typically made by herself or her mother, and it is often a new, dark-colored, calf-length dress without any lace. The groom usually wears a black suit and a white shirt, often made by his mother or bride-to-be. The bride chooses a favorite Amish color for herself and her attendants to wear, and they all wear a white apron and prayer Kapp, which is later packed away to be buried with the bride.
The Amish are known for their conservative dress, with black and white reserved for church Sundays and special occasions, while blue hues are popular among women, especially in conservative communities. The color blue is favored due to its variety of shades and brightness within the allowed color spectrum. The wedding season usually runs from late October to December, and couples typically do not go on a honeymoon, instead choosing to visit their families in the community and receiving wedding gifts.
The wedding day involves a lot of fellowship and socializing, with meals served to a large number of guests, ranging from 200 to 400 people. The food served is homemade and grown, reflecting the self-sufficient nature of the Amish community. The day after the wedding, the couple helps with the cleanup, and in the following weeks, they visit their families and friends, receiving wedding gifts along the way. Amish weddings are a testament to the community's strong emphasis on family and tradition, with the bride's dress being a central element crafted by the bride or her mother.
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Amish weddings are simple and less flashy
The wedding day begins as early as 4 a.m. as there are many chores to be done and last-minute preparations to be made before the guests arrive. Helpers arrive by 6:30 a.m., and by 7 a.m., the wedding party has eaten breakfast and changed into their wedding clothes. The ceremony is held in the bride's home, and around 200 to 400 relatives, friends, and church members are invited. After a simple service, the couple goes outside to give their vows in front of the congregation. The bishop then speaks to them privately, offering advice and blessings for their future.
The bride does not wear a veil but instead wears a black prayer covering to differentiate it from the white cap she wears daily. She will also wear a wedding dress in a shade of blue, a colour that is popular among Amish women, especially in conservative communities. The bride or her mother will make the wedding dress and the dresses of her attendants in matching colours. The groom and his attendants wear black suits, black vests, white shirts, and bow ties.
There are no photographers, wedding dances, or kisses at the altar. Instead, a sermon and a large feast are the main events of the day, with plenty of socializing and "fellowshipping." The day after the wedding, the families will help clean up, and the newlyweds will spend the next few months living with the bride's parents.
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Amish weddings are held on Tuesdays or Thursdays
Amish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesdays or Thursdays in the later fall, after the harvest. The wedding ceremony is held during a service similar to a typical Amish worship service, presided over by the Bishop and ministers. The couple takes their vows before the church, without rings or other jewelry, and the groom wears a black suit and a bow tie. The bride's dress is often dark blue or purple, and she and her attendants will wear dresses of the same colour. The wedding party, or attendants, also dress in the same colour.
The choice of colour for the bride's dress is not mandated by Amish theology but by tradition. Amish women are allowed a lot of latitude in their choice of dress colour, and blue is a very popular choice, especially in conservative communities. The women in these communities are not allowed to wear purple, but blue comes in many different shades and is the brightest colour they are permitted to wear.
The wedding meal is a feast, usually serving 200-600 people, with fried or broasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy, and other vegetables. The bride and groom may visit the guests after the meal with baskets of candy, and the wedding night is spent at the bride's parents' home to help with the clean-up the following day.
Amish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesdays or Thursdays so that clean-up can be accomplished on the Wednesday or Friday. However, practicality has meant that weddings are now held year-round and on other days to accommodate the number of couples getting married.
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Amish weddings are intimate and meaningful
The Amish wedding season occurs towards the end of the year, after the harvest season, and weddings are usually held on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The couple's intentions are kept secret until a few weeks before the wedding, when they are published" to the congregation by name. In the days leading up to the wedding, the bride or her mother will make the bridal dress and the dresses of her attendants in matching colours. The wedding day begins early, with farm chores still needing to be done, and last-minute preparations seen to before guests arrive. Helpers arrive early in the morning to assist, and by 7 am, the wedding party has eaten breakfast and changed into their wedding clothes.
The wedding ceremony is a simple service, followed by the bishop speaking to the couple privately to offer advice and blessings. The couple then proceeds outside to give their vows in front of the congregation. There is no photographer, dancing, or kiss at the altar, but a sermon and a large feast are the main events of the day, with lots of fellowship and socialising. The bride wears a black prayer covering instead of a veil and a white bonnet after the wedding to symbolise her marriage, as Amish people do not wear wedding rings.
The day after the wedding, the couple's families help to clean up, and the newlyweds spend the next few months living with the bride's parents. Amish weddings are intimate affairs, with the focus on the couple's commitment to each other and their community, rather than decorative or flashy elements.
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Frequently asked questions
Amish wedding dresses are not always blue. While blue is a popular colour for Amish women's dresses, brides in some Amish communities wear black dresses with a white cape and apron. In other communities, the bride chooses her dress colour, but wears a white cape and apron.
Amish weddings are joyful and celebratory occasions, but they are less flashy and decorated than Western weddings. There are no photographers, no wedding dance, and no kiss at the altar. Instead, the main events of the day are a sermon and a large feast, with lots of socialising.
Amish grooms and their attendants wear black suits and coats with black vests and white shirts. The grooms also wear high-topped black shoes and black socks, as well as a black hat with a brim no longer than 3.5 inches.
Amish people typically marry within the Amish community. Dating usually begins around the age of 16, and most Amish couples marry between the ages of 20 and 22. To find a date, young adults socialise at functions such as frolics, church, or home visits. One popular activity is Sunday night singing, where Amish youth from several districts sing hymns and socialise.
