Wedding planning is in full force and I hope you're ready to hear what I've done next. Since my location and date are set, the next thing I wanted to check off my wedding to-do list was my wedding dress. This won't come out of a lot of bride's mouths, but wedding dress shopping was extremely easy for me. However, wedding dress shopping is a must for all weddings. It provides a memorable experience that you won't soon forget throughout your wedding planning process. Here's my wedding dress shopping experience that I got to share with my mom. I absolutely loved that I got to share this time with her and there were even a few tears. Hope you enjoy!

Style Number And All!

I'm probably unlike many girls and knew exactly which dress I wanted when I walked through the door, style number and all! Even though I knew which dress was for me, I still wanted to try on all the beautiful dresses that I saw. I loved browsing through all the different styles and did somewhat question my choice, since there are a tons of different gowns out there.

A Little Researching

So, I'm sure you've read that I have a lot of friends getting married. Which, benefited me because I saw the exact style dress I wanted on one of my friends. I searched beautiful wedding dresses online through various websites to find a similar style, which is unique and a new wedding trend. Exactly what I wanted! However, I always said since I was a little girl I wanted a princess, extremely poufy wedding dress.

I'm sorry, I don't want to explain my wedding dress at all since me and the groom are doing the not seeing each other the night before the wedding and especially my dress. I want it to be a surprise and I can't wait to see the look on his face when I finally walk through those doors.

Finding The One

Anyways, I was so set on this dress that I was just going to order it without even trying it on. Mom talked me out of that afraid that I wouldn't like the fit on me. I trusted her and found a bridal gown shop close by and scheduled a time to go look at it. We went one Saturday and when I walked through those doors, and my dress was the first dress I saw. It was fate!

I grabbed it up and immediately put it in a dressing room. We then started browsing through different styles, I seemed to be picking out the same style of dress and mom started picking out long-sleeved gowns. Not really what I had in mind, but I offered to try it on if she absolutely wanted me too. Thank goodness she didn't care.

The dress I picked out before I even got to the store was the first one I tried on, mom's tears began to fall. I tried on several more and it was narrowed down to two dresses that I loved. However, I had to stick with the one that I knew was "the one". So the dress is ordered and the waiting begins for the arrival!

Well, here is my "say yes to the dress" moment, and if there is anything you can possibly take away from this dress story, it would be to look at a lot of wedding gown photos to get some sort of an idea of what style you would like.

However, it could all change once you get in the dressing room. It's moments like these that makes wedding planning all worth while, and especially once you walk down that aisle. Can't wait for everyone to see my dress!

When choosing your wedding party, it can be a difficult thing. You feel as though you have obligations to old friends, new friends and family members. I say, forget all that. It's your wedding day and so you may hurt a couple people's feelings along the way, but never lose sight that it's your day. So either add them all or choose who YOU want to be in your wedding party. Always remember, it's your day.

We LOVE Our Wedding Party!

With that in mind, I chose my wedding party. I did have some difficulties with who I wanted or had to put in the wedding. My philosophy was suck it up, I'll put everyone in it. So that wasn't a big deal, I'm quite happy and thrilled with my wedding party.

The major problem was Bart only had 4 groomsmen, while I had 5 bridesmaids and 2 maid of honors. Totaling 7 altogether. He did not want to add anymore guys as much as I asked him to just come up with 3 more guys. However, it didn't happen.

My solution was pairing up our maid of honor and best man together and pairing 2 girls to one guy.I'm over how it may look because I'm 100% happy with our wedding party and am confident all of them will be there while planning my wedding.

The Interesting Part

The part that I couldn't wait to share with everyone is how I asked my bridesmaids to be in my wedding. Searching high and low through different wedding websites and blogs, I kept seeing cute ideas on how to ask bridesmaids to be in your wedding. My idea was to create a bridesmaid newsletter along with a greeting card that asked them to be in my wedding. From the very get go, I wanted to do something special for my bridesmaids. I love my friends dearly and wanted to make my whole wedding process  fun for them.

My newsletter contained my wedding colors, location, time, wedding dress, their wedding attire, flowers and ALL the details. I even contained information down to what favors I had picked out. Also, I included pictures to give them an idea of everything. Most importantly, it had all the bridesmaids and groomsmen. This wedding newsletter seriously had ALL my wedding details.

The main feature of my wedding party, is they live all over. Wyoming to Nashville and everywhere in between. So the main thing I wanted to include, was all their contact information for planning sake. Living all over the place and not knowing each other very well will be hard at planning my sure to be amazing showers. Why not make it a little easier and provide all their contact information for each other.

The wedding card included a cute "Will you be my bridesmaid" poem and a hand-written message from me. Some I had to mail and some got theirs in person, but everyone loved it. I'd like to say the same for Bart, but he's a boy so he asked them through text messaging or just whenever he saw them, I think? I told him I could make them a newsletter too, but he laughed. I'll take that as a no.

Show your bridesmaids that you appreciate them for being in your wedding, throwing you a shower and buying whatever bridesmaid dress I pick out. I loved doing it and my bridesmaids loved receiving it!  It's just a fun and unique way to keep your bridesmaids in the know and show them how much you appreciate them.

I wanted to share a fun, bumpy and crazy wedding story that everyone I know will enjoy.  They are very good friends of mine and she is one of my best friends.  In fact, I'm just going to call myself her wedding planner and decorator and maid of honor, because I was just that and loved every second of it.  So, I couldn't resist sharing it on Wedding and Party Network and hope everyone enjoys it and hope you can take one thing away from it, PLAN!

Josh & Abby's Engagement Story

Josh Proposing to Abby at Midnight

This is a couple that has known each other since they were in 5th grade.  Josh always liked Abby throughout high school and I'm pretty sure she felt the same way, but it was never the right timing for them.  However, I do remember when our high school play was going on and they got "pretend" engaged.

Obviously, it was fate right then.  Unfortunately, they didn't start dating until a couple of years after high school and since then they have never spent a day apart.  Pretty much the rest is history.

I knew that the engagement was coming because she had talked about it a little so I bluntly asked him when he was going to propose.  Josh told me when and I'm very proud of myself for not telling her.  It was New Years Eve and they had went out to dinner with another couple and just went back to their hotel room, a pretty low-key New Years Eve.

It was midnight and he casually asked "what's your New Years resolution?"  She rambled on about who knows what, maybe to not procrastinate so much or not to speed as much, who knows?  Josh answered with "Well, mine is to be the best fiancé ever."  He then got down on one knee and proposed.  Starting the year off perfect.

Wild & Crazy Wedding

Their Gorgeous Backyard Wedding

This wedding was nowhere near wild and crazy, it was actually really low-key.  The wild and crazy part came from the planning.  It was set for October 2, 2010 in her dad's backyard.  Next it was moved up from October to July 17,2010, their 2 year anniversary.  It was then set for Destin, Florida, nut the oil spill happened.  Next it was the Memphis Botanic Gardens, but it turned out to be a bigger hassle since it was for a smaller wedding and they have a huge family and absolutely couldn't cut anyone.

Abby being aggravated and wanting to elope from the beginning decided on Jamaica.  That was changed because no one wanted to miss seeing them get married, of course!  I'm sure it was switched around some more, but you get the picture.

After a whirlwind of locations, it was set for July 17, 2010 in her dad's backyard.  Now on to colors,  decorations and cake.  Abby's motto:  "It will all work out." and it did, even with her procrastination.  Wedding planning isn't really her thing.  I felt like anytime I asked her something she would say "I don't know yet."

However, they couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding fit for them.  The weather was great since it did downpour on our rehearsal dinner.  The lawn had been perfected, chairs were in place and their gorgeous deck was decorated with summary daisies and beautiful daisy pomanders.  It was a perfect Summer wedding and they even got Jamaica for a honeymoon.

An October to July wedding at various locations with a lot of "I don't knows," ended up absolutely perfect.  Their Summer wedding was too pretty to describe and completely fit them as a couple.   Abby and Josh will have an absolutely amazing and happy marriage that will last a lifetime.

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The wedding location was one of the most important things to me, right behind finding an amazing wedding photographer. The wedding location paints a picture-perfect setting for anyone's wedding day.  A wedding location can set the tone and provide a feeling that everyone will be able to feel.  Plus, it's in all your wedding photos as a background so it has to show off the style of the couple.

My Picture Perfect Setting!

I wanted to do something different and we both wanted a smaller wedding, so that was our starting point. Normally, everyone gets married in their church and has the reception at the community center.  Which is completely fine, but would have ended up being way too big of a wedding for us. We're definitely a little shy and not an attention stealer.  People have even asked our parents if we even talk when we're together, we're both so quiet.  I'd like to say that is definitely not the case, he says I talk too much!

Anyways, a year or so ago I ran across a wedding that was in Hot Springs, Arkansas at a gorgeous chapel.  I have been to Hot Springs when I was younger with one of my bridesmaids and her family, so I was already familiar with the location and really enjoyed it.

Anyways, I immediately googled it and found Anthony Chapel at Garvan Gardens.  It was absolutely beautiful so right then I knew that's where my wedding was going to be held.  Also, it suited our smaller wedding preference.  It's around a 4 hour drive from our hometown so we knew the people who meant the most to us and wanted to be there would be there.  The absolute perfect wedding location for us!

After Bart finallyyyy proposed, we set a weekend to look at the chapel and explore Hot Springs.  My parents and Bart had never been there so it was fun!  It was even more beautiful in person!  My parents loved it and so did Bart.  However, there were reservations in making everyone drive 4 hours.  My parents gave their opinion on finding a closer location if not at home.  Once I get my mind-set on something, there's no going back.  I did research other locations, but nothing compared.  I presented all my counter arguments and won the battle, like I knew I would.

Finding A Reception Venue

Wedding reception venue was important to me too.  I wanted a fun place that had a great feeling and had the perfect layout.  However, I would like everyone to be proud of me because the room I chose is not the one we went with.  Bart won!  While we were in Hot Springs, I scheduled a few appointments to visit several wedding reception sites.  We already ruled the gardens out, which would have been convenient and beautiful.

However, we are planning around 50 guests and didn't want it to be outside and all of their inside spots were way too big for our wedding size.  This is a good thing to think about when planning a wedding because if you get a wedding venue too big for your small wedding, it'll look like you have 10 guests in the place.

First stop was one of Hot Spring's bath row houses.   It was so pretty and would have been really convenient for my wedding day prep since it is a spa, but this place was just a little too small.  Me, my parents and his mom loved it.  It was bright, big windows and absolutely gorgeous.  Bart liked it but thought it was too small and we would have been cramped. However, it was so so pretty!

Next stop was one of Hot Spring's delicious restaurants, The Porterhouse.  They showed us 2 rooms and provided the catering, which was a big plus for us.  This place was the opposite.  It was dark and had an old, vintage feel.  The first room had a place for all the tables, dancing and the dj.  This was the room I chose because I liked everyone being together.

Next, it was on to the second banquet room.  There were 3 separate rooms, including a place for dining, dancing and a billiards room.  It was neat and provided tons of entertainment for everyone but I didn't want anyone to miss our first dance and just not be altogether.  Bart shared his arguments, which were his friends might get a little crazy so it might be a good idea to separate our parents and grandparents from them.  Good thinking!  I gave in!

My Mind Was Set On The Perfect Date!

I had it all planned out in my mind when I wanted our wedding to happen.  April 2011 or January 2012 were the months I picked out.  I had January pictured as the perfect winter wedding month.  I picked April because I wasn't into a Summer wedding, plus a ton of people I know are getting married in the Summer of 2011.  Very, very busy!

My mom suggested I wait until April 2012, which would give me plenty of time.  However, me being stubborn wanted it the next year because waiting over a year would just be too long for me.  April 30th was picked because that was one of the 2 weekends still open for the chapel.  In the end, it worked out so great because April 30 is Bart's grandparent's anniversary.  They were absolutely thrilled!

Finding the perfect wedding location was on the top of my wedding checklist.  It means a lot to get married in a beautiful chapel and to have our close family and friends there.  Plus, sharing a wedding date with his grandparents makes it that more special.  Now, what I'd like you to take away from this is don't settle on just any old location.  This is YOUR wedding day and you'll remember it a lifetime.  Now, to take care of the million and one things left on my wedding to-do-list!

Hi, I'm Kelly and recently started writing for Wedding and Party Network, which is perfect because I am in the process of planning a wedding.  Perfect timing.  I thought it would be a fun experience to write about it, provide a few wedding ideas and keep people entertained with my fun wedding stories.  I will be talking about the ups, downs, my wedding diy's and all the wedding planning in between.  So I hope you enjoy!

The Perfect Proposal

First off, I will provide some background on us.  Meet Bart, a laid back guy who enjoys watching baseball and movies.  I'm not so laid back at all, could honestly care less about baseball and can barely find time to sit down to actually watch a movie.  Not opposite at all!  How did we meet?  I was actually really good friends with his sister, I knew she had a brother, but never met him until after 4 years of knowing her.

We finally met and the next week we were on our first date.  We clicked and have been together a little over 5 years now, 5 years and no proposal. Another fun fact to go along with the proposal story, we have a lovable, wonderful and amazing Pomeranian named Bella who is the absolute best dog in the world.  If you can't tell, she's our number one kid!

Now, this is the perfect proposal for us! I have been talking wedding nonstop because 5 years of waiting is a bit ridiculous for me and I was ready.  I'm not big on surprises and enjoy knowing them so I was actually telling him how I would like my wedding proposal done, preferably at an airport.  I thought it would be the sweetest thing to be proposed to in an airport, however that didn't happen.  It was better.  We had already gone and looked at engagement rings so he knew exactly which one I wanted, like the one from Tiffany's.  Which again, didn't happen but he did an amazing job picking out my ring!  I'm very proud!

I come home one day talking on the phone, give Bart a quick hi and run upstairs to finish my conversation.  Of course, I was talking wedding with one of my friends, who is actually going to be one of my maid of honors.  After 30 minutes on the phone I get off and I see Bart walking in the room.  With wedding on my mind, I say, "When are you going to propose?!".  He laughs and says, "I don't know Kelly" and  then proceeded to tell me if I found the ring I could have it.

Frustrated I decided to give up and get on the treadmill and Bart being amused goes back downstairs.  With little motivation, I start to get ready for the treadmill and then I hear Bella come racing up the stairs.  I look down to see her wearing a t-shirt saying, "Will you marry me?"

Bart follows and gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him and opens up an empty ring box.  I think I responded with "Are you serious?"  Bart finally asks me if that means yes.  Well, of course it does!  The empty ring box was perfect because he still hadn't found the perfect ring for me yet, which meant he was truly looking.  I finally got it and it's perfect!

Later, he ended up telling me how he had found someone to actually monogram the shirt, but I was pestering him way too much that he decided to just make it by himself.  This was the perfect proposal for us because it incorporated Bella.

This is the first wedding post with more to come.  I've recently booked the perfect chapel, reception venue and photographer.  I'm a big planner and have everything exactly planned out in my head so I hope you enjoy my wedding process as much as I do!

The proposal is a huge part of the whole wedding process.  It's the start of something amazing and something you'll remember forever.  So, whenever we hear a good engagement story we all

fall in love with the couple.  It gives us a glimpse into how they are as a couple.  Some people think back to their proposal, while some look forward to theirs hoping its half as good.  So, as soon as I stumbled upon a great proposal I just had to share it on Wedding and Party Network.

Of course, one night on Facebook I saw a photo album with the word engagement.  If I see the word engagement anything, I click on it.  It was Kate, she is an amazing and fun person and right then I was super excited.  I know her wedding details will be unbelievable.  As soon as I saw how Justin proposed I messaged her immediately, crossed my fingers and hoped that she would let me share her uhh-mazzzingg proposal.  Thankfully, she said yes and gave me all the details.  I'm a sucker for unique and romantic proposals and I'm sure I have some that will agree with me too.

Justin and Kate's Engagement Story

First off, Justin and Kate met on eHarmony.  They were matched on August 18, 2009 and talked on the internet for about 2 weeks before officially planning their first date on September 2, 2009.  There was an instant connection and great chemistry on their first date.  Kate remembers calling her mom to tell her that she was going to marry him one day.  How amazing is that?   Knowing he's the one after their very first date and I'm sure he felt the same way is so amazing and rare!  After hearing how they met, you know that the proposal and especially the wedding will be unique and beautiful down to the last detail.

So, on to the proposal!  They had planned a vacation to visit his family for the first part of the trip and hers last.  They were on the last leg of the trip to visit Kate's family on July 8, 2010, which they had arranged for just her mom to pick them up from the airport.  On the way towards home, her mom suggested that it might be a "great" idea for Justin to tour the Mall of America.  They all agreed since there wouldn't be

enough time later in the trip to visit it.  Kate was pretty much whatever about it and didn't really mind going.  Best of all, she was completely clueless about what was going to happen at that mall.

Justin and Kate were walking around and "happened" to stumble upon a photobooth.  Now, before I go any further, they absolutely LOVE photobooths!  They have a ton of photobooth pictures together that they have found at a variety of locations.  Justin even hopped in one by himself for Valentine's Day with signs that said "I Love You Kate."  So creative and such a fun thing to share.  Okay, back to the story.  Justin immediately said, "We have to get a picture," and of course she was easily convinced.  They hopped in, picked out their background, got situated and hit the start button.  The next thing Kate knows is that Justin is down on one knee proposing.  In complete shock, she responds, "Are you serious?!".  Of course, she said YES even though she was still in complete and utter shock and thrilled at the same time.  The best part?  When she finally stumbled out of the photbooth, her entire family was there cheering and celebrating.  They had planned EVERYTHING out the week before, including touring the mall, stumbling upon the photobooth and having her family hide.  Kate had no idea!  It was an absolute perfect proposal and an amazing photo to add to their photobooth pictures.

Absolute true love is what they have found.  This couple is so much fun and absolutely wonderful that I know they will have an amazing marriage from the beginning till forever.  I'm so glad they let me share their wonderful engagement story for everyone to enjoy and I can't wait to see their gorgeous wedding details on May 28, 2011.

This past weekend, while visiting St. Louis I discovered a secret that everyone should know! St. Louis is a very romantic town, but that's really another story.

On Sunday while gallivanting around Forest Park, my husband stopped to talk to a cyclist (Gregg) working on his bike in front of the Grand Basin. The cyclist was a fireman. So of course, we liked him immediately. (One of our dearest friends is the Fire Chief of our town and an avid cyclist).

During their conversation, Gregg told my husband how he had proposed to his wife at this very spot.  The story was so sweet I asked him if he would share it with Wedding and Party Network.  So here it is as told by Gregg:

Gregg & Kristin Engagement Story.

The day started as a typical Saturday (9/3/05).  We did some miscellaneous cleaning and all day talked about going to our favorite Italian restaurant, Tumo's, for dinner.  I placed a fake call to the restaurant, pretending that there was a 30-45 min wait and suggested we go on a evening drive through Forest Park.

Once in the park, the cool air was a welcomed guest after a warm day. It was dusk, when we approached our favorite spot in the Park – the Grand Basin.  The night was settling across the water, the sun having set long behind the huge art hill, home to the world famous St. Louis Art Museum.  The six fountains in the basin were illuminated, and the occasional early frog and insect provided the only noise.

Grand Basin at Night

As we approached the first set of stairs, Kristin saw 8 white candles making a "V"-shaped walkway to the water front. Kristin noticed the candles, and thinking they were for someone else, began to move towards the edge of the basin.  At this point, I took Kristin by the hand, leading her through the walkway of candles.

Still assuming the candles were for someone else and seeing a group of people sitting on the steps, Kristin began getting nervous saying we should go. At this point, I dropped to one knee, and opened a ring box. Immediately Kristin began crying. Since she couldn't speak, she dropped to her knees to hug me in acceptance while the crowd behind us cheered.

I have to give a special thanks to my fellow firefighter and one of our groomsman, Ken, for setting up the candles in advance.  Also, although we don't know who the crowd of people were who cheered, thank you as well. You made our special moment movie-esque.

Later, we actually did go to Tumo's where we had a reserved booth and were greeted with a bottle of sparkling wine on the house. We called our friends and family and basked in the night together."

With such a beautiful proposal, what girl could say no. The Grand Basin at night exudes romance, but the really impressive element here is the thought and planning Gregg put into his proposal. I'm sure Gregg's romantic gesture, was greatly appreciated by Kristin.

A proposal with such a romantic setting can lead to only one thing – an enchanting wedding. From the picture taken at the Grand Basin on their wedding day, you can see how radiant Kristin was in her strapless wedding gown. The sheer happiness of the day is clearly reflected seen on the face of every groomsmen and bridesmaid. The intense red roses in the wedding bouquets give us a hint of the passion that lies behind the smile of this very happy groom.

Although I didn't attend the wedding, I would like to toast Gregg and Kristin. My greatest wish for the two of you is that through the years your love for each other will so deepen and grow, that years from now you will look back on your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least.

As we embark on the 2010 Wedding Season, Wedding and Party Network is excited to share with the world some amazing love stories that are sure to make your heart flutter! Each month we will be showing off one amazing couple and their love story. If you have a great love story you want the world to know about, send us your information at social@weddingandpartynetwork.com.

Our very first couple is from the great state of Illinois.  Chris and Anne Lukeman met at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where they were both very active in the Illini Film and Video group promoting film making! Over the course of four years, Chris and Anne have come shared their love for movies, and film making resulting in one of the most creative, and heartfelt proposals we have ever seen!

Here's their story!

The Proposal

You may recall the movie Quantum of Solace–millions of Bond fans swarmed the theaters to see this film in all it's glory.  For Chris and Anne, it was simply the luck of the draw.  Chris knew the love for movies that was shared by he and Anne and wanted to propose to her in a way that was not only personal, but unique.  Their local theater only had one DVD projector to play his proposal video, and so Chris was left guessing what, and when, he would be able to propose to the love his life, Anne.  The choices: Quantum of Solace or Bolt.  As he prepared for his evening with Anne, Chris hummed and hawed over what movie they would go see, or even what time.

About two hours before Quantum of Solace began, Chris received the call he had been waiting for—his proposal would air just before Quantum of Solace at the 9:00 showing. As film lovers, Chris and Anne not only go for just the movie, but also for the release of trailers that air before a movie begins.  Watchmen, a mutual favorite of Chris and Anne,  had a trailer just before Quantum of Solace as well, and what's even more funny is that Chris's proposal interrupted this very preview!
Since these two love birds are huge fans of comic books and graphic novels, this interruption was quite comical for the couple. Because the showing was late, there weren't very many people in the audience. However, those who were there were filled with excitement when Anne said "YES!" Later the couple shared this video online of their amazing night.

See for yourself this amazing video, that Wedding and Party Network had to share!

—This is how we found them…among millions of wedding proposal videos, Chris and Anne Lukeman stood out to us because of the romance, creativity and genuine  love for each other.—

Chris and Anne Lukeman were married on July 18, 2009 in Champaign, Illinois. The day was beautiful, as was the bride!  Chris is now finishing up his final year of law school and will be taking his bar exam this summer! Anne has applied to several graduate history programs, and they are both excited and hopeful for their future! Their photographer was Bill Wiegand of Champaign Studio One Photography. Check out more great wedding photos taken in Champaign, IL.

As for their flowers, they used a local market to create their beautiful bouquets! It's a great way to save money, too!  Don't want to do it yourself? Don't worry, there are great florists in the Champaign, IL area too!

Wedding and Party Network wishes all the best to the Lukeman family!

We hope to see some box office hits soon from this dynamic duo!

We're kicking-off the relaunch of the official Wedding and Party Network Facebook page with a photo contest! We're asking our fans and members to upload photos of  their tackiest, weirdest and most absurd bridesmaid dresses that they have worn or made others wear. The contest is open until next Wednesday (3/31), and we're looking forward to what's in store! So dig around and tell your friends to share their photos for a chance to be featured on our monthly recap! The winner will be chosen based on the number of "likes" on her photo.  It's that easy!

Don't forget to "fan" us while you're there!

Need more info about utilizing Facebook? Take a look at this blog about promoting your business using Facebook on our sister site, FSN!

Courting Before Marriage

Before you can have a wedding you have to have a courtship right? The Dutch certainly had a unique way to court their intended. It is called bundling or in Dutch queesten (kweesten).

This form of wooing is where a young lady would leave her window or door open, so that her intended lover could sit or lie on the outside covers of her bed.  At the same time,  she would lie in bed clothed in her heavy nightwear and covered heavily in blankets. The idea was for the two to converse all night and gain a bit of intimacy from each other.

This custom may have also been used in Welsh communities. However it went a bit further with the young lady dressed only in her petticoat with a knot tied at the bottom. This almost always lead to wedlock.

This custom continued on in the USA till the 1930’s where it fell out of style among those who had brought it over from the Netherlands. The Pennsylvania Dutch would allow their children (of age) to share a bed before marriage. Following the old custom both would be heavily dressed and also covered in heavy blankets. I suspect this happened more in the fall and winter then the summer. Sometimes a thick board would be placed between the two. Again the idea is for the young couple to share the night together talking and gain intimate knowledge about one another before marriage. It seems to have fall out of grace as it may have lead to actual intimacy.

Even though this custom is no longer practiced in it original form, we still do this courtship ritual our own way. Many of us spend a night or two with our intended talking all night long getting to know each other before our marriages. Sometimes we travel to a vacation spot as part of our courtship ritual.  The important concept of this wedding tradition is getting to know each other.

This wedding tradition was brought to you by weddingandpartynetwork.com, your number 1 source for wedding planning.