HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1976-06-24, Page 98!14T1
y fyour
ial love ...
Bicentennial love story ...
the American wedding day
Every year is a special one for 'brides, but this year
has a significance all its own -- it's America's Bicen-
tennial. A look back into' our history to see what brides
and weddings were like in Revolutionary tithes provides
some fascinating information.
The American colonists. brought most of their social
customs with them from 4England, of course, and gen-
erally what was fashionable in England was here too.
The Puritan tradition
(beginning with Cromwell
in the mid -1600's) had -
frowned on . big wedding
celebrations, and on 'mer-
riment of any kind --- as
a result., a small, quiet
marriage at home was the
rule.
In fact, . in America,
home weddings remained
the fashion until 1850 or
so. However, they were
not necessarily small and
quiet. In any but the strict-
est' homes there was danc-
ing after a wedding, some-
times far into the night,
just as there is today. In
rural areas, a wedding was
an occasion for several
days' worth of partying.
The typical wedding
ceremony was fairly sim-
ple, in the Protestant tra-
dition (most Americans
being Protestant) — there
were prayers, a short ser-
mon, the marriage vows,
and some hymns. The
guests would then drink
the "posset," a kind of hot
punch — as a signal 'that
the wedding was over and
the party could begin.
In early New England
the couple's attendants
would scramble not for
the bride's bouquet, but
for her garter — the win-
ner, like the modern
bridesmaid who catches
the bouquet, was supposed
to be the next to marry.
Sometimes the wedding
guests would put the bride
and groom to bed on their
wedding night, drinking
toasts and offering prayers
in the bridal chamber. fashioned or newfangled.
Then the new couple you're part of a long and
would be left alone — if wonderful tradition.
they were lucky!
City brides and grooms
kept open house the day
after the wedding, receiv-
ing visits from friends.
Rural couples made visits
to. neighboring towns or
plantations. But the honey-
moon as we -know it didn't
develop until well into the
19th century.
A particularly colorful
custom in Revolutionary
times was known as "Com -
Out Bride" — when
bride, groom, and guests
would put on all their
bridal finery and parade
into church on the Sunday,
.or sometimes for four Sun-
days, after the wedding.
Early churches were
segregated, with men seat-
ed on one side and women
on the other — but wed-
ding groups would all sit
together, like a pride of
peacocks," as one historian
put it. At a certain point
in the services/the newly-
weds would rise and turn
slowly around, displaying
their fine clothes for the
congregation!
And of course, men's
fashions in the 1700's were
as splendid as women's
men, too, wore silks, satins,
damasks and velvets.
Th.ough times have
changed since America
was born, the wedding
day remains the same in
spirit — a very special
celebration, shared in by
bride and groom and those
who love them. So whether
your wedding will, be old -
PERFECTLY PAIRED -- Romantic. wedding/ memories
are reflected in matching 'wedding rings for the bride and
11
forgoi.:g, awa
MIS - tlttt�
Sharon checks through the wide _selection of sportswear available at Schaefer's
Ladies Wear. Choose the style and colour that's right for you. Mix and match to make
severatoutfits. flrand-names such as Paris Star, Tan Jay. Cfingfit and MORE t
look your best when
you're a .west!
g
For a dress or gown to look your best when you're invited to a wedding — come to
Schaefer's first.
or sew your own!
Materials, patterns and notions on the lower floor to put together most any outfit.
11
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