The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-03-18
swedish Marriage Customs.

When q girl is to be married IN
Sweden she IS dressed in her bridal
garments and is placed in the middle
of a room. As she stands she is sur
rounded by circle of bright lights.
The groomsmen then enter. each carry
ing a lighted lamp. The villagers
have assembled about the cottage in
the meantime, and the doors and
windows are thrown open. Through
them whoever wishes may enter, and
the most liberal criticisms of the bride
are made. Men and women walk
about her and talk freely to one an
other about her appearance, her char
acter, her prospects, etc. One Will
hear some young fellow say: well
she's to be married at last, eh? About
tine I'D think ;s the hs first o Ys she
some one else will say, ''apd 1 pity
the man who marries her. But
don t she look old, though another
spectator will say; land won't she
make the poor fellow stand around?'
Women wearing masks and different
DISCUSSES will always be present for
purpose of making remarks both
pointed and insulting, but everything
is borne patiently and in good part by
the bride and groom. The chatting is
kept up for an hour or two, every one
but the friends of the parties are
ordered to quit toe house. and the
ceremony is performed. 1t takes a
good while for village festival to be
carried ont in Norwegian villages
sometimes as long as week. Beer.
spirits, plenty to eat, music and
dancing are the features. The guests
begin to assemble on the day before the
wedding. They are welcomed with
plenty Of spirits and beer by the bride
and groom. The village schoolmaster
is always master of the ceremonies.
and it is he who invites the guests to
the reception meal. He says grace. A
psalm is then sung to the accompani-
ment of two violins
The repast is simple, and served on
a bare table. No plates are used: but
large, fat cakes of meal instead. The
night is spent in reveling. The next
morning at eight o'clock the wedding
procession starts for church. The
bride always wears a silver crown and
silver ornaments. In some parts of the
kingdom she is clad in purple robe,
richly embroidered With gold, fire.
quently the heirloom of centuries.
Sometimes the way to church is by
boat and sometimes on horseback.
Music leads the way. The march to
oh - ballad I>,,f v1rhnr1 tho
party returns after the church cere-
mony salute is fired from every house
along the route, and at every one the
newly married pair alight and partakc
OF beer. The journey home very often
takes day, owing to the general join
ing in the festivities. As soon as the
bridal party reach home grand din
ner is served. After that what is
known as the cradle tax is collected.
A tin dish is placed before the bride
and her father deposits in it bank
note and two silver spoons. The
guests all contribute money or silver
gifts. The rest Of the wedding. day
and part OF the nigh! are spent in
drinking and dancing. Then a pro-
cession is formed and each person car
ries lighted candle and escorts the
bride and groom TO their apartment.
The next day the wedding gifts are
presented. They arc not displayed,
but each giver shouts out what he or
she gives. and shakes hands with the
married couple. The revealing and re-
joicing are kept up until the following
Sunday. when they are brought to a
close. and the young couple are con-
sidercd fifty married