married in a church, festivities followed at the bride’s home and were mostly a community affair. This was a chance for celebration within a district and gave the pioneers an opportunity to think of something else besides the hard work they endured in day to day life.

Relatives of the bride’s family who lived some distance away, came and stayed a number of days prior to the ceremony, expending their energies preparing for the feast or cleaning the house. If no relatives were available to help, the ladies of the community would assist in preparing the wedding breakfast or supper. The time of the ceremony usually depended upon whether the bride and groom had a long drive, by horse and sleigh or wagon, to reach their new residence, or whether they were spending the night at the bride’s home.

Charivari in the making.

Food was provided for more than the guests on the marriage day as the “non—invited guests” who brought their good wishes to the couple must be treated with great respect. These colorful- ly dressed non—identified people were the shivareers (charivariers). They serenaded the couple with discordant noises, such as those produced using pots, pans and horns. The spirits of the past should look favorably upon the married couple and bring them good fortune in the future. It was accepted by all that these ‘spirits’ should be well treated lest ill—fortune fall upon the fam- ilies of the bride and groom. Following the bountiful repast for guests and ‘spirits of the past’ - a room usually called the parlour - was cleared of furniture and the fiddlers took their places so that the night could be spent dancing the favorite quadrilles.

Bestowing of presents on a prospective bride (shower) did not become a custom until after the turn of the Twentieth century. Before this the ‘hopeful’ girl, who had not been given very much education, and thought that marriage was the only future for her, spent her leisure hours making monogrammed bureau scarves or pillow shams, as well as having quilting or hooking parties to fill her ‘hopeful box’, which became part of her dowry for marriage. The fuller her chest the more hopeful she was of marrying a well-to-do gentleman.

The following ‘recipe’ was read to a future bride at her ‘shower’ before 1920. It indicates what she is expected to do in order to provide a happy and comfortable home.

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