Dutch Wedding Tradition

Traditionally courtship and engagement varied from the origins of the couples. People in the north of Holland allowed their girls and her suitor a lot more freedom and liberty. Privacy is respected at north Holland. Parents at north Holland allows the suitor to spend some private moments or a night with their daughters so that the couple accepts each other whole heartedly and get to know each other better. In South Holland the scenario is different altogether. Here parents are very strict and do not allow such private intimate moments. The suitor in this case bribes the servant of the house in allowing them to see their beloved or leave a flower boutique at his beloved's doorstep to show his affection and love.

In Holland if the girl accepts a suitor's proposal traditionally it is believed that she will be required to smooth her hair and dress, and arrange her bonnet to make herself look pretty in front of him. If the girl refuses to marry him then she would stand by the fireplace and grab the poker which will signify that the suitor is not welcome.

Once the suitor is accepted in the family traditionally he is allowed to take her bride to be on Wednesdays and Sundays on a religious celebrations and festivals. Once the couple is formally engaged the parents of both side invite their relatives for a small dinner party and sign a contract before the notary.

The friends of the bride shower their gifts upon her. The day before the wedding a small party is set up at the bride's house and here the wedding banquet and wedding attire is fixed upon. The bride's house is painted green and would be scattered along the path to welcome the bride and the groom to the place of the venue.

The bride would traditionally receive a trousseau from her parents, while her future father-in-law would traditionally give her a 'chatelaine.' A chatelaine was a chain or rope, usually made of silver or leather, equipped with various articles that would of help to the bride-to-be, such as pair of scissors, a pincushion and a needle case, a small knife, and a mirror. The girl's would be husband often gave her a written declaration of love, such as a poem.

Traditionally young couples wrote their marriage banns on their own after taking consent from their parents.

On the wedding the bridesmaid welcomes the guests and makes necessary arrangements for them so that they are comfortable. They also decorate the groom's pipe an important family heirloom with garlands and ribbons.

The groom's cloth is usually passed down from generation to generation. The bride is required to flaunt a traditional wedding dress along with gloves, veil and fans.

Traditionally, the marriage ceremony was organized in public. It commences with a reading from the scriptures, followed by the singing of psalms. The bridal party enters the church, followed by the bride, the groom, and their parents. The pastor is the last person to enter. Marriage vows would be read, an oath would be taken, and after the singing of psalms, money would is usually be collected for the poor.

After the wedding everyone proceeds to the bride's house for a grand feast. Guests are thanked for their presence and their gifts. Usually a silver bowl filled with brandy and raisins are passed down to the guests.

After the wedding, the bride and groom are required to plant lilies-of-the-valley around their house to symbolize 'the return of happiness.' This custom meant that the couple's love is renewed with each blooming season.

Travour.com describes and provides information on the wedding traditions of Dutch and around the world.

Here are some Wedding Traditions performed around the world