1. Elizabethan Weddings
By Alyssa and Yvonne

2. Background Age of consent: boys: 14, girls: 12
One of the woman’s most important days in her life and brought prestige to their families
Women had very little input in the wedding compared to current weddings
Children of land owners were to marry to increase land area
Couples would meet for the first time on their wedding day
Weddings held at the local church

3. Background Bridegroom: the man to be married
Bride: the woman to be married
Dowry: the money or goods the bride’s family gave to the bridegroom
The marriage had to be announced on 3 different holy days and Sundays, allowing time for objection
Wife became husband’s property
For custom, the bride’s family would give their future husband a picture of the bride

4. Background No wedding invitations needed: people would just attend
Gifts were occasional
Marriage was not based on love, but more of a contract
Marriage bond: contract of security and proved to the Bishop that the marriage was lawful
Grooms father had to agree to
marriage

5. Food It was custom to celebrate with exotic foods such as peacock
Bread and sweet meats were served
People only drank ale or wine

6. Clothing: Bride
Didn’t wear white wedding dresses- they wore gowns which had to cover their entire body
Cloak was worn as an outer garment
Only nobility could afford velvet, satin and corduroy
Wedding garments made from flax, cotton or wool
Occasionally, a corset (woman’s tightly fitting undergarment extending from below the chest to the hips) was worn
A chemise or a shift (dress hanging straight from the shoulders) was worn under the gown
Necklaces were often worn to attract attention to the bride’s breasts
Necks and cuffs were decorated with silk or linen ruffs
Fresh flowers were essential to clothing and hair

7. Clothing: Bride
Girls were allowed to wear their hair loose, but once they were married it had to be kept under a bonnet
Wealthy brides wore garments with jewels, gold and silver thread
It was traditional to carry a bouquet
No one wore yellow because it was a sign of mourning

8. Clothing: Bride

9. Clothing: Bridegroom Wore their best clothes
Doublet (high, tight collar), breeches (trousers), hose (trousers), box pleated neck ruff (high, tight collar with ruffs), codpiece (pouch attached to man’s breeches) , cloaks, and boots
Short shift (dress like undergarment) as undergarment
Velvet, satin, and corduroy were worn by nobles
No one wore yellow because it was a sign of mourning

10. Clothing: Bridegroom

11. Ceremony There was a bridal procession made up of musicians
Ceremony was solemn
Families of the couple would sometimes celebrate with a feast
The couple was wished a long and happy life

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

13. Works Cited
Anderson, Liz. “History of Weddings” New Zealand Wedding Information December 13 ,
“Before the Clearances: 17th and 18th Century Scottish Costume” jimandsandi. December 17 ,
“Cartwheel Neck Ruff SCA Renaissance Custom ECW Elizabethan Fancy Dress faire” Ebay. October 1, December 18, < >

14. Works Cited
“Chemises” renfairshoppe. December 17 ,
“Elizabethan Wedding Customs” william-shakespeare.info December 13 ,
“Elizabethan Wedding Gown” deviantart. December 17 , < >

15. Works Cited
Etsy December 18 , < >
“Hanging with the Locals_Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil.” Hereandthere40. November 17, December 17,
“Jama Rattigan’s Alphabet Soup” livejournal. December 17 ,

16. Works Cited
“Leather Renaissance Doublet” houseofanoria. December 17 , December 17 ,
“Marriage Ceremonies in Elizabethan England” wikispaces December 13 ,
“Marriage Customs in Elizabethan Era.” eHow. December 17, < >

17. Works Cited
“Medieval Patterns For Men” longago. December 18 ,
“Tasting Notes: Harveys Elizabethan Ale- #OpenIt. No.2” Folk and Ale. December 7, December 17 , <res://ieframe.dll/acr_error.htm#folkale.com, >
“Women’s Medieval” longago. December 17 ,