Elizabethan WeddingsElizabethan Weddings

By Alyssa and YvonneBy Alyssa and Yvonne

BackgroundBackground

• Age of consent: boys: 14, girls: 12Age of consent: boys: 14, girls: 12• One of the woman’s most important days in One of the woman’s most important days in

her life and brought prestige to their her life and brought prestige to their familiesfamilies

• Women had very little input in the wedding Women had very little input in the wedding compared to current weddingscompared to current weddings

• Children of land owners were to marry to Children of land owners were to marry to increase land areaincrease land area

• Couples would meet for the first time on Couples would meet for the first time on their wedding daytheir wedding day

• Weddings held at the local church Weddings held at the local church

BackgroundBackground

• Bridegroom: the man to be marriedBridegroom: the man to be married• Bride: the woman to be marriedBride: the woman to be married• Dowry: the money or goods the bride’s Dowry: the money or goods the bride’s

family gave to the bridegroom family gave to the bridegroom • The marriage had to be announced on 3 The marriage had to be announced on 3

different holy days and Sundays, allowing different holy days and Sundays, allowing time for objectiontime for objection

• Wife became husband’s property Wife became husband’s property • For custom, the bride’s family would give For custom, the bride’s family would give

their future husband a picture of the bridetheir future husband a picture of the bride

BackgroundBackground• No wedding invitations needed: people No wedding invitations needed: people

would just attend would just attend • Gifts were occasionalGifts were occasional• Marriage was not based on love, but more Marriage was not based on love, but more

of a contractof a contract• Marriage bond: contract of security and Marriage bond: contract of security and

proved to the Bishop that the marriage was proved to the Bishop that the marriage was lawfullawful

• Grooms father had to agree to Grooms father had to agree to marriagemarriage

FoodFood• It was custom to celebrate with It was custom to celebrate with

exotic foods such as peacockexotic foods such as peacock

• Bread and sweet meats were servedBread and sweet meats were served

• People only drank ale or winePeople only drank ale or wine

Clothing: BrideClothing: Bride

• Didn’t wear white wedding dresses- they wore gowns Didn’t wear white wedding dresses- they wore gowns which had to cover their entire bodywhich had to cover their entire body

• Cloak was worn as an outer garmentCloak was worn as an outer garment• Only nobility could afford velvet, satin and corduroy Only nobility could afford velvet, satin and corduroy • Wedding garments made from flax, cotton or woolWedding garments made from flax, cotton or wool• Occasionally, a corset (woman’s tightly fitting Occasionally, a corset (woman’s tightly fitting

undergarment extending from below the chest to the undergarment extending from below the chest to the hips) was worn hips) was worn

• A chemise or a shift (dress hanging straight from the A chemise or a shift (dress hanging straight from the shoulders) was worn under the gownshoulders) was worn under the gown

• Necklaces were often worn to attract attention to the Necklaces were often worn to attract attention to the bride’s breastsbride’s breasts

• Necks and cuffs were decorated with silk or linen ruffsNecks and cuffs were decorated with silk or linen ruffs• Fresh flowers were essential to clothing and hairFresh flowers were essential to clothing and hair

Clothing: BrideClothing: Bride

• Girls were allowed to wear their hair Girls were allowed to wear their hair loose, but once they were married it loose, but once they were married it had to be kept under a bonnethad to be kept under a bonnet

• Wealthy brides wore garments with Wealthy brides wore garments with jewels, gold and silver threadjewels, gold and silver thread

• It was traditional to carry a bouquetIt was traditional to carry a bouquet• No one wore yellow because it was a No one wore yellow because it was a

sign of mourningsign of mourning

Clothing: BrideClothing: Bride

Clothing: BridegroomClothing: Bridegroom

• Wore their best clothesWore their best clothes• Doublet (high, tight collar), breeches Doublet (high, tight collar), breeches

(trousers), hose (trousers), box pleated neck (trousers), hose (trousers), box pleated neck ruff (high, tight collar with ruffs), codpiece ruff (high, tight collar with ruffs), codpiece (pouch attached to man’s breeches) , cloaks, (pouch attached to man’s breeches) , cloaks, and bootsand boots

• Short shift (dress like undergarment) as Short shift (dress like undergarment) as undergarmentundergarment

• Velvet, satin, and corduroy were worn by Velvet, satin, and corduroy were worn by noblesnobles

• No one wore yellow because it was a sign of No one wore yellow because it was a sign of mourningmourning

Clothing: BridegroomClothing: Bridegroom

Ceremony Ceremony

• There was a bridal procession made There was a bridal procession made up of musiciansup of musicians

• Ceremony was solemnCeremony was solemn

• Families of the couple would Families of the couple would sometimes celebrate with a feast sometimes celebrate with a feast

• The couple was wished a long and The couple was wished a long and happy life happy life

Connection to Connection to Romeo and Romeo and JulietJulietIn the play, In the play, Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet, Lord Capulet was , Lord Capulet was

forcing Juliet to marry Paris, whom she didn’t forcing Juliet to marry Paris, whom she didn’t want to marry or love. In the Elizabethan age, want to marry or love. In the Elizabethan age, the daughter was the father’s property and the daughter was the father’s property and didn’t have a choice in marriage. He wanted didn’t have a choice in marriage. He wanted Juliet to marry Paris because he was a Juliet to marry Paris because he was a wealthy man which would bring prestige and wealthy man which would bring prestige and wealth to her family. The marriage wouldn’t wealth to her family. The marriage wouldn’t be based on love, but more of a contract. be based on love, but more of a contract. Juliet instead married Romeo, at the age of Juliet instead married Romeo, at the age of 13, almost 14 as Romeo was 16. For their 13, almost 14 as Romeo was 16. For their wedding, they were expected to wear their wedding, they were expected to wear their best gowns. Lord Capulet gave Lord best gowns. Lord Capulet gave Lord Montague a dowry after he found outMontague a dowry after he found out that that Juliet actually married Romeo, which was Juliet actually married Romeo, which was customary in their time.customary in their time.

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