THE REPUBLICAN

February 27, 1885

 

FINNISH WEDDINGS

 

How the Ceremony Was Celebrated in Olden Times

 

            On the Sunday morning the invited guest assembled at the sexton’s house (which was generally near the church), and when the morning psalm was being sung the procession set out.  First of all walked the fiddlers, playing a festal march; then a swarm of children, young relatives of the bridal pair; next the two bridesmaids, then the bridal couple, and immediately after them the bride-dresser.  Then followed the two groomsmen and the rest of the crowd – men first, women next, arranged by the groomsmen in a certain order.  The procession was so timed that they reached the church just as the psalm ended, and if they came a little early they all waited in the porch until the proper time.  So soon as the singing ceased the wedding party entered the church, and walked up the center aisle, the fiddler meantime playing right joyfully, till they came to the alter, when they turned aside and stood playing whilst the whole party was arrayed in order before the clergyman, who stood waiting for them. The wedding ceremony was then celebrated according to the old Swedish rites.

            The wedding breakfast was generally laid on three tables set in the form of a horseshoe.  The bridal couple sat in the place of honor – that is, in the middle of the center table.  Next to the bride sat the “bride dresser,” then the bridesmaids and the rest of the women.  Next the bridegroom sat the clergyman, and then the groomsmen and the men guests.  The groomsmen acted as master of the ceremonies, and saw that each one satin his or her appointed place.

            Each guest brought knife, fork, and spoon to the feast.  The meal over, dancing began, when polka, waltz, minuet and country dances of all kinds followed in rapid succession.  Toward the end of the feast the bride was obliged to dance with each one of the girls, who stood in a ring around her.  During this the lads stood all around with lighted candles.  Next the bridegroom danced withal the men, the girls in their turn holding the lighted candles.  Then the bride danced with married women, and the married men held the lights, and then the bridegroom danced with the married men, the married women holding the candles.

            After the dancing was over the guests who lived near went home, while those who lived at a distance stayed the night.  Next day by twelve o’clock all assembled once more to breakfast.  The bride was then dressed as a married woman, in a cap bound with black.  After breakfast the old folks chatted over things old and new, whilst the young folks amused themselves with ring-dances, etc., which, if the weather was fine, were held in the open air.  This went on till supper time.  After supper much of the time was spent in singing.   --  Harper’s Weekly