Questions about Wedding Customs

Reference code: FOL.QUES/24
Level of description: Series
Title: Questions about Wedding Customs
Scope and content: "In this questionnaire, we are concerned only with the social aspects of the wedding and not with the courtship or matchmaking customs which lead up to it or the religious ceremony which forms the central part of the wedding. We are concerned here with such matters as the journey home from the church or other place of marriage, the wedding feast and amusements, and the visitation of wedding-houses by strawboys or other special visitors. Please expand your answers to describe customs which are broadly similar to those mentioned in the questions."

1. What name was applied to the wedding party?
2. Where did the company go when the ceremony was over?
3. How did the bridal couple travel?
4. How did the guests travel?
5. Was any special route followed or special stops made?
6. Were demonstrations disapproving of the wedding made, and what form did they take
7. Who received them, and was any ceremony performed on their arrival?
8. Where and when was the wedding feast held, and what was it called?
9. Who was present?
10. How were uninvited guests dealt with?
12. What toasts were drunk or speeches made, and who did this?
13. Were songs sung and, if so, were they specially composed for the occasion?
14. Were musical instruments used?
15. Were dances or games performed? If so, by whom and of what nature were they?
16. Did members of the company play tricks on one another? Or on the bride and bridegroom? (Describe these.)
17. Did parties of young men or women in disguise visit wedding-houses in disguise? If so, what were they called? Describe their actions and how they were received. How long did they stay?