Connecticut western news., 1871-07-14
Dutch Marriages.

The proverbial slip 'twixt cup and lip is not unknown in Holland as elsewhere; nevertheless, this system of making formal engaged calls certainly does tend to prevent a rupture upon slight grounds for it is a matter of no small embarrassment to call upon the same people 8 second time and ceremoniously introduce sweetheart number two It is held to be part of lovers duhes to accompany his mistress to parties and balls, and also his right and pleasure to take her to theatres and concerts un- accompanied by chaperon but he is seldom asked to pay a visit in the same house with her for more than 8 day. Lovers always choose the house and buy the furniture together during the court ship. When the time comes they two go together alone to the town-hall for the "aanteekening" or betrothal This is merely public notice of the inten- tion to marry, and is given in writing
 The notice is then put into kind of box, protected by brass wire, and placed the hall. Bans are also published in church. A runaway match is held to be thoroughly disgraceful, is accomplish ed with difficulty, and seldom attempted. Friends now, in place of wedding -c,rds, receive by post Autographed document announcing the aanteekening. On the first Sunday afternoon subsequent to this the bruid and bruidgom, who are thus called in the interval between the aanteekening and the wedding-d day, hold grand reception in the drawing-room of the father of the bruid. A sofa, sometimes gayly decorated with flowers and evergreens. being occupied by the two the bruid's relations range them selves at his right hand, the bruidgom's at hers. The bruid wears her wedding dress, veil, and orange wreath on this occasion, and the company generally are in gala costume. Visitors then, when announced, march up between the two opposite lines of relations, and make pretty speeches to the happy pair, and, after having intrusted themselves for a short tune to the care of the bruids- meisjes, who dressed for the occasion, show the presents, placed upon table at the other end of the room, and offer hippocras and sweets called "bruids- suikers," and cake, make rapid de- parture, and are succeeded by others. The wedding commonly takes place on the Thursday week after reception Sun day, and during the interval balls and parties are given in honor of the young couple. On the appointed day of the wedding party bruid and bruidgom, go- ing alone in the first carriage, make first for the town-hall. The burgomaster marries them, makes little speech, and receives their signatures to all this there must be four witnesses. Then to church in the same order. The party having assembled in sort of evstry, the bruidgom gives his right arm so the bruid, and leads the way to the chancel reserved nowadays for marriages only or to the body of the church in front of the pulpit. Here the pair seat them
 selves upon a central sofa, and relations range themselves as at the aanteekenine reception. The ceremony is simple, the couple being already married. After a hymn has been sung they merely have to acknowledge the fact of marriage in answer to the clergyman, and having advanced to two kneeling-chairs ready placed a few steps in front, receive a blessing from him and short exhorta tion. No ring is used, but one is some times worn subsequently. The new husband then gives his left arm to his wife and leads the way home again. The wedding breakfast is small affair, attended by very, near relations only, and the happy pair slip off without adieux as soon as possible. The wed. ding dress is never worn again in its original state. e. - ..